Racism in Mexico

Racism in Mexico refers to the social phenomenon in which behaviors of discrimination, hatred, violence, abuse, mistreatment, rejection, contempt, intolerance, etc. are expressed among people in that country due to their race, ethnicity, skin color, language, religion, traditions, clothing, physical complexion, or sexual orientation, among others.[1]

Racism in Mexico has a long history.[2][3] The upper and middle class Mexicans have lighter skin tones than members of the lower classes. People who are darker-skinned and of indigenous descent make up nearly all of the peasantry and working classes, while lighter-skinned, Spanish-descent Mexicans are in the ruling elite.[4] Because of this, many of the Mexicans of indigenous descent in poverty are left to join one of Mexico's drug cartels as their only means of survival.[5]

Racism in Mexico is very common, but many do not realize that they are being racist when using common phrases. For example, it is generally believed that when a person of a darker-skinned tone marries a person of a lighter skinned-tone, they are “making the race better" ("Estoy mejorando la raza.") This is a common phrase, but also a self-attack on the Mestizo, Amerindian, and/or black races.[6] In certain towns in the southern parts of Mexico neighbouring Belize, there is a generally negative attitude towards people of African descent. For example, Mexico's former president Vicente Fox has been quoted as saying that Mexican immigrants to the United States take jobs "that not even blacks want to do". [7]

Discrimination against individuals for their social, ethnic or national footprints is a severe problem in Mexico. The Mestizo and white most commonly affect those acts of racism against their own co-nationals and foreigners. Ignorance and manipulation of national history has generated various nationalist feelings that hinder the healthy coexistence of different ethnic groups in the country.[8]

Racist acts in Mexico remained through the caste and religious intolerance in the colonial period to undermine the culture of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations before the introduction of a new culture.[3] In the 20th and 21st centuries, political campaigns and propaganda of political parties in Mexico are loaded with racist slogans and speeches against foreigners, to reinforce the feeling of Mexican nationalism.[9]