Black Mexicans push for national recognition

Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca - To further their quest for constitutional recognition, some eleven social organizations representing the Black Peoples of Mexico met in recent days in this coastal city to work on new strategies for gaining recognition of their Afro-descendant community.

During the meeting, representatives of organizations who are part of the Red por el Reconocimiento Constitucional del Pueblo Negro de México (Network for the constitutional recognition of Black people in Mexico), including África A.C., Púrpura, PUMC-Oaxaca, Grupo Cultural Costa Chica, reported that the Mexico Multicultural Nation University Program, has conducted a sociodemographic survey that demonstrates why the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) @font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1 should include Mexico's Black population in  in the national census. 

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By Karen Juanita Carrillo

New York City has its African Burial Ground (ABG) and Dallas, Texas has its Freedman’s Memorial Cemetery.

The memoralization of the Freedman’s Cemetery actually got its start around the same time as the establishment of the ABG.  What is today the hip, newly developed neighborhood of

Uptown Dallas, was at the turn of the century known as Freedman’s Town, a settlement established by Blacks just outside of Dallas proper. 

Because Dallas still enforced harsh vagrancy laws – particularly on people of African descent who authorities still wanted to make work for free – African Americans needed a safe place to live that still gave them access to local employment and services. 

Freedman’s Town served this purpose:  it became a place where Blacks could establish homes, build churches, and feel safe.  The area became part of Dallas in 1874, during the years after Reconstruction. At that time, it came to be known as North Dallas Freedman’s Town, a well-populated area where residents were known to have even established their own cemetery at the edge of the neighborhood.

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Garifuna American Scientist ISIDRA SABIO To Receive a 2011 BARAUDA AWARD

"Research Scientist ISIDRA SABIO will be presented with a 2011 Barauda Award on Saturday October 1st 2011 in New York City," Teofilo Colon Jr. notes on his BeingGARIFUNA.com website.  "The Barauda Awards honors Women of Garifuna Descent for their achievements.

"Born in the Garifuna town of Cristales, which is located in Trujillo, Honduras, Isidra Sabio attended world renowned Zamorano Agricultural Pan-American University in Honduras, becoming the first Black woman to graduate from this prestigious university.  Founded in 1941, This university hosts students from the countries of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Columbia, Chile, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Mexico and more."

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In Peru, A Grammy-Winning Diva Takes The Political Stage

"When Susana Baca was appointed as Peru’s culture minister in July, it took the whole country by surprise," writes Chrystelle Barbier in Le Monde. "Despite her lack of political experience, the Afro-Peruvian singer accepted the offer made by Ollanta Humala, Peru’s new left-wing president. 'This appointment comes at a time in my life when I feel it is my duty to accept it,' said the artist.

"Before getting into politics, Susana Baca de la Colina was mostly known for her suave voice and enchanting melodies played on the guitar and the cajon, the instrument created by black slaves on Peru’s coast. The Afro-Peruvian music ambassador even had international success. She was awarded a Grammy in 2002. But despite her thriving career performing on stages around the world, the 67-year-old woman didn’t hesitate when Humala asked her to take over the Culture Ministry. “I will be a minister/singer,” she told reporters following her."

by Karen Juanita Carrillo

Zulia Mena García – the first Colombian congressional representative specifically elected to protect the interests of Afro-Colombians – was in New York City recently.

Mena García came to New York with the social activist Isaias Chala to make connections with various people and organizations. On June 23rd the two were featured in a talk sponsored by Dr. Georgina Falu’s Falu Foundation where they spoke about and related the lives of Afro Colombians with those of African Americans.  The talk was held at the City College of New York's City College in Harlem.

Malin Falu, Professor Yaa-Lengi Ngemi, Dr. Georgina Falu, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Zulia Mena García and Professor Isaias Chala

Photo credit: Karen Juanita Carrillo

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