The African Presence in Mexico: Introduction

"Since we opened our doors in 1987, the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum [of Chicago]... has organized numerous exhibitions, presented a wide array of performers and authors, presented and sponsored film/video projects, participated in and organized conferences. The Museum has also earned a national reputation for its leadership in speaking out about critical issues such as First Voice, cultural equity, and equal access to the arts for everyone. All of these artistic ventures have been extremely important, but The African Presence in Mexico project is probably the most ambitious and important project ever undertaken by the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum.

"The greatest failure of the human species has been its inability to celebrate both the commonality and diversity between cultural and racial groups. All of the world's problems pale in comparison to the human problem of discriminating against people because of cultural and racial differences. If we as humans would truly treat each other in an equitable fashion, there isn't any challenge facing our species that we could not overcome. Our collective will to improve the station of others and the world around us would be able to surmount any crisis that we face.

"Consequently, The African Presence in Mexico project, is a very significant undertaking with crucial relevance for both Mexico and the U.S. In 1992, as part of the 500th anniversary of the encuentro (encounter), the arrival of the Spanish in the Americas, the Mexican government officially acknowledged that th African culture represented la tercera raiz (the third root) of the Mexican culture. There were small-scale events done on the African legacy in Mexico, but that was it. Our African Presence in Mexico project is the largest and most comprehensive ever presented. While this represents a major accomplishment for [the Museum], it is also an indictment of Mexico's continual neglect of its magnificent African legacy.

"In the U.S., race relations are unfortunately getting worse. The belief that the mainstream is playing a divide and conquer game between African-Americans and Mexicans is compounding the problem. With Latinos comprising the largest group of people of color in the U.S. and Mexicans comprising by far the majority of Latinos in the U.S., there does appear to be more tension between African-Americans and Mexicans than ever before. Every time, the media announced the newest census data, the subtext seems to be that th future looks rosy for Mexicans but not for African Americans. In very frank conversations that I have had with individuals from both communities, there is an overwhelming consensus that the relations between both groups have become more tense in nature.

"The African Presence in Mexico offers an unusually magnificent opportunity for both African-Americans and Mexicans to celebrate a unique bond. The fact that the first free town of formerly enslaved people in the Americas was founded in Mexico, should serve as a base of celebration for both groups. Yanga, the founder of this town in Veracruz, should be celebrated as a hero for both communities. The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum believes that this exhibition can serve as a catalyst for a more positive dialogue between African Americans and Mexicans. This project also offers Mexico the opportunity not only to revisit the African legacy but also to actively embrace it as an important element in Mexico's cultural heritage."

The African Presence in Mexico, pgs. 6-8.