Identity, Culture, and Afro Mexicanos
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My Discovery of Being an Afro-Latina
I was shocked to know the obvious…I’m Black!
I’m constantly researching about Afro-Latinos, what they are doing, and what they have done in history to change the world. I’m fascinated by this group because for so long, in my point of view, they were ignored. I didn’t know I was an afro-descendant till I was doing my student teaching. The teacher, Mr. Harris, an African-American excellent Spanish teacher, showed the class the video, Black in Latin America: Mexico-The Grandma in the Closet. Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. was the first person who introduced me to the beautiful culture of Afro-Latinos. In this particular episode about Mexico, Dr. Gates asked a young girl who looked like me and had the same complexion as I did, “¿eres negra?” in translation, “are you black?” She responded proudly, “yes I am”. My eyes opened so big as if someone robbed something from me. I couldn’t believe that someone with her complexion considered herself Black. I thought that we were brown? I thought that we were “morenos”, a mix of black and other colors. Ok, so I had an identity moment. I wondered why I was not calling myself Black. Is it because I’m trying to water down what I am? I’ve heard that Dominicans don’t really call themselves Black, anything but that. We are a mixture of it. And though I’ve always loved Juan Luis Guerra for his song, “Me Sube la Bilirrubina” He says in this song…Ay negra (black girl), mira búscate un catéter, ey E inyéctame, tu amor, como insulina. I always enjoyed hearing him celebrate the word, “black” in Spanish, and “black people”. I didn’t know why I liked it, but I did. Now I understand why. Not many sounded proud to be Black. So If this young lady was proud to say she’s Black and she looks like me, I need to be saying I’m Black too and not be ashamed. Not that I was ashamed, I just didn’t know. This is when my journey of finding my roots and intentionally being a Spanish teacher who teaches her students about all the cultures that represent Latin America, not just the light-skinned people that are portrayed in the books. I discovered that I have always loved teaching about cultures and the differences in people, how they do things, and what makes them special.
Learning about Afro-Mexico
Just like any other Latin America who is born in another country and grows up in the United States and adapts customs, practices, beliefs from the U.S. is bound to look back and think, “who am I”, as they need to discover the person they have become through layers upon layers of family traditions vs personal experiences.
These are some of the most enjoyable moments in my life that make me who I am today. I am a mom and wife to these awesome kids and amazing husband, I am a Spanish teacher and wear that title with honor, and I love my students!
Though I love my dear Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, I am fascinated by Latin America as well. I am fascinated by Mexico with its rich history and diverse languages and culture. World Atlas states that the government recognizes 68 languages that are spoken in the country!! I grew up learning so much about Cuba since much of my childhood was spent in Miami, Florida. But Mexico is where we watch the Telenovelas, we say certain phrases that we heard of on TV, it was like the Hollywood of Latin America when I was growing up. I’m fascinated with the diversity geographically. I would love to spend time and travel all of Mexico to learn and compare the different cultures it has within itself. My fascination of Mexico leaded me to investigate more about the Afro-Mexicanos and where they came from. My friend, Chris Mercer wrote a reader in Spanish for high school students called !Yanga! I absolutely loved how he put this book together because it has the perfect vocabulary level for students. If you want to practice reading Spanish or want to share this with your classroom, please consider purchasing this novel.
Check out this group, AFROMEXICO on Facebook
I met Jorge Gonzalez- Who is he?
Jorge Gonzalez is guest on my podcast for episode 17.
As I researched about Afro-Latinidad, I joined many communities on Facebook which allowed me to read and meet people in the community. This particular community, AFROMEXICO, is a community I enjoyed reading about. I felt like a special visitor and eventually I knocked on the door. I contacted Jorge Gonzalez, the administrator of this community. I was curious about him because just like I started my community among Spanish teachers about Afro-latinos and I definitely had a story to why I started this, I wanted to know Jorge’s “why”. I was delighted to know that he accepted my invitation to interview him for my podcast.
Jorge’s Story is broken up into three episodes or else it would have been an hour and a half of content, which I don’t mind, but I want people to listen to the whole thing. It's interesting. In this particular 🎧podcast episode, “My Identity to Others: Anything by Mexican” we discuss the following topics, in case you are curious about these or interested:
His identity as a child growing up in a border city (Fronterizo)
Cultural Bridges vs Concrete bridges
Afro-indigenous
College Education away from home
What is a Chicano?
What is a Pocho?
Gloria Anzaldua- Chicana, being in between two worlds.
Guillermo Gómez-Peña
Call us “morenos”, not Afro-Mestizos
Ethnic Makeup of Oaxaca/Ethnicities of Oaxaca
What is Afro-Mestizo?
Grandma in the Closet/Aunt in the Closet
Michoacan- Predominantly Black community
A visit to Costa Chica- Everybody was black! All shades of Black
Father Glynn Jemmott- from Trinidad- sent to Mexico to oversee a church in Guadalajara
El Ciruelo, Mexico- the beginning of the Black movement
Let’s Dive Into Afro-Mexico
Afro-Mexico is a complex subject, yet fascinating. It takes many, many books to cover everything and tons of people to tell their story in order to be able to fully understand its history and culture.
Afro-Mexicanos, or Mexican people of African descent, have been an integral part of Mexico's history and culture for centuries. However, their contributions and struggles have often been overlooked or erased from mainstream Mexican narratives.
History
African slaves were brought to Mexico by the Spanish in the 16th century to work in mines, sugar cane plantations, and other industries. These enslaved individuals were forced to work in harsh conditions and were subjected to various forms of abuse and exploitation. However, over time, many of them were able to gain their freedom and establish communities in different parts of Mexico. The history of Afro-Mexicanos in Mexico can be traced back to the 16th century when the Spanish brought African slaves to Mexico to work in various industries, such as mining, agriculture, and construction. These enslaved people were subjected to brutal conditions and were treated as property rather than human beings.
Over time, some of the slaves were able to gain their freedom through various means, such as buying their freedom or being granted it by their owners. Once freed, many Afro-Mexicanos established their communities and villages, often in remote areas where they could practice their traditions and culture without interference.
During the colonial era, Afro-Mexicanos played a significant role in Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain. One of the most prominent leaders of the independence movement was Vicente Guerrero, who was Mexico’s first indigenous president. Guerrero was a skilled military strategist and became one of the key figures in the struggle for independence. In 1829, he became Mexico's second president, although his presidency was short-lived.
Despite their contributions to Mexican history and culture, Afro-Mexicanos have often been overlooked and erased from official narratives. For example, they were not recognized as an ethnic group in the Mexican constitution until 2015, when the government officially recognized them as a distinct ethnic group with their own language, culture, and history.
Throughout Mexico's history, Afro-Mexicanos have faced various forms of discrimination and marginalization. They have been subject to racist attitudes and stereotypes that have led to their exclusion from many aspects of Mexican society, including politics, media, and education. As a result, many Afro-Mexicanos live in poverty and lack access to basic services such as healthcare and education.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to raise awareness about the contributions and struggles of Afro-Mexicanos. This movement has included the establishment of organizations such as the Afro-Mexican Human Rights Defense Collective, which works to protect the rights of Afro-Mexicanos and promote their visibility in Mexican society.
Overall, the history of Afro-Mexicanos is complex and multifaceted, reflecting the various influences and challenges that have shaped their experiences in Mexico over the centuries. While there have been many struggles and setbacks, there is also a rich and vibrant Afro-Mexican culture that continues to thrive and evolve today.
Culture
Afro-Mexicanos have a rich and unique culture that reflects their African heritage, as well as their experiences as a minority group in Mexico. One example of this is the dance style known as "danza de los diablos," or dance of the devils. This dance is believed to have originated in Africa and was brought to Mexico by slaves. It is still performed in some Afro-Mexican communities today.
Another example is the Afro-Mexican cuisine, which includes dishes such as mole de olla (a stew made with beef and vegetables), tamales de camarones (shrimp tamales), and pozole de camarones (shrimp pozole). These dishes reflect the African, indigenous, and Spanish influences that have shaped Mexican cuisine over the centuries.
Music and Dance Music and dance play a significant role in Afro-Mexican culture, and many traditional songs and dances have been passed down through generations. One example is the "son jarocho," a musical style that originated in Veracruz and has African, indigenous, and Spanish influences. The son jarocho is typically played on a stringed instrument called a "jarana" and features lively rhythms and lyrics that tell stories of love, nature, and everyday life.
Another example of traditional dance is the "danza de los diablos" (dance of the devils), which is believed to have originated in Africa and was brought to Mexico by slaves. This dance is still performed in some Afro-Mexican communities today, and features elaborate costumes and masks that represent different spirits and deities.
Religious Practices Afro-Mexicanos have also preserved many of their religious practices, which blend African and Catholic traditions. For example, in the town of San Nicolás, Michoacán, there is a festival called the "Fiesta de San Nicolás," which combines Catholic rituals with traditional African dances and music. During the festival, participants wear colorful costumes and perform dances that represent different spirits and deities.
Language Afro-Mexicanos also have their own unique language, called "Chinanteco," which is spoken by some communities in the state of Oaxaca. The Chinanteco language has African and indigenous roots and is a testament to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Afro-Mexicanos.
Overall, the culture of Afro-Mexicanos is a testament to their resilience and creativity in the face of centuries of discrimination and marginalization. By preserving their traditions and customs, Afro-Mexicanos have been able to maintain a strong sense of identity and community, while also contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of Mexico as a whole.
Challenges
Despite their contributions to Mexican culture and history, Afro-Mexicanos have faced many challenges over the years. For example, they have been subject to discrimination and marginalization, both historically and in contemporary times. Afro-Mexicanos are often excluded from official statistics and are not recognized as an ethnic group in the Mexican constitution.
Additionally, many Afro-Mexicanos live in poverty and lack access to basic services such as education and healthcare. They also face high rates of violence and discrimination, which has led to the formation of organizations such as the Afro-Mexican Human Rights Defense Collective, which works to protect the rights of Afro-Mexicanos.
Systemic Discrimination One of the primary challenges faced by Afro-Mexicanos is systemic discrimination. Despite being recognized as a distinct ethnic group in the Mexican constitution in 2015, Afro-Mexicanos have faced ongoing discrimination and prejudice in various aspects of Mexican society, including employment, education, and healthcare. They are often denied opportunities for advancement and are more likely to live in poverty than other groups.
Lack of Recognition and Visibility Afro-Mexicanos have also been historically underrepresented in Mexican media and politics, further contributing to their lack of recognition and visibility. This has made it more difficult for Afro-Mexicanos to advocate for their rights and to have their voices heard in national debates and policy-making.
Economic Marginalization Afro-Mexicanos have also faced economic marginalization, with many living in poverty and lacking access to basic services such as healthcare and education. This is often the result of discrimination in the workplace and a lack of economic opportunities in their communities. The marginalization of Afro-Mexicanos has also contributed to their exclusion from the broader Mexican society and economy.
Social Exclusion Afro-Mexicanos have also faced social exclusion, with many experiencing discrimination and racism in their daily lives. This can make it difficult for Afro-Mexicanos to fully participate in Mexican society, and can also impact their mental and physical well-being.
Overall, the challenges faced by Afro-Mexicanos reflect the ongoing struggle for recognition and equality faced by minority groups in Mexico and around the world. Despite these challenges, however, Afro-Mexicanos continue to preserve their traditions and culture and to advocate for their rights and representation in Mexican society. The growing movement to raise awareness about the contributions and struggles of Afro-Mexicanos is an important step towards achieving greater recognition and support for this vibrant and resilient community.
