For all of you wandering what an Afro-Mexican is let me give you the Encyclopedia definition, first . Then i will give you my own personal definition.
The Encyclopedias defines Afro Mexican (Spanish: afromexicano) is a term used to identify Mexican people of African ancestry. African Mexicans, now largely assimilated in the general population, have historically been located in certain communities in Mexico.
A Little History:
When the Spanish first arrived in Mesoamerica, they brought free Africans with them. Among them was Juan Garrido, a conquistador who belonged to Juan Ponce de León's entourage. Garrido was born on the West African coast, the son of an African King. Garrido went on to join Hernando Cortez in the Spanish conquest of Mexico. These African contributed to the conquistadors success in New Spain, but they did not share in the victory . :(
During the colonial period in Veracruz, Spaniards placed restrictions on contact between Africans and Natives to discourage Intermarriage between the races. whose descendants were called Lobos and Zambos in other parts of Spanish America.
In 1609 there was a black rebellion in Veracruz, lead by Gaspar Yanga and Francisco de la Matosa. After fierce battles, Yanga came to negotiate a peace with the viceroy Luis de Velasco. A black community, called "San Lorenzo" (Later renamed Yanga) was founded and still exists it would be the first of several.
The Afro Mexican population has mixed mostly with the larger populations and many have forgotten their African ancestry, but some populations like Costa Chica and others still remain with stronger visual cues of their African ancestry.
USA (Estados Unidos De America)
Now days we also see many Mexican Americans that have migrated to the United States brought their culture and married African Americans. This have become the new generation of Afro-Mexicans. believe it or not both cultures share many similarities , one being a strong family bond and Religion also the struggles of racial profile and discrimination . we have become the majority of the minorities. The down side of things is that at times both our cultures have turn their back on one another. when we should really be backing each other up.
"African Americans and Hispanics need to join forces to succeed"
for 100's of years African Americans experienced slavery.The day came when a good man made a difference, his name Martin Luther King, Jr. an American activist and prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement. His main legacy was to secure progress on civil rights in the United States. not only did he get his point across for all the African-Americans culture. he also made a difference for many other cultures.
Now days Hispanics are the new "BLACK" experiencing torture,discrimination, any form of abuse we can think of, from unborn children to the oldest. We are all discriminated.
when, will we UNITE to make a change?
The media is not much help!
Hispanics/Latinos are portrayed in the media with stereotypes and media misrepresentations. when will this stop?
I say we can make a change by becoming one STRONG VOICE with or brothers and sisters standing up for our rights .
whats best than to have by our sides or African American People and become (Afro-Latinos or Afro-Mexicans )
YES WE CAN ! (in the words of Cesar Chaves & our president)
WE ARE ,MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. lets stand and make a change!
