Black women in Mexico?

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Don J

To be black AND French will be a huge advantage. The Mexicans being a new race made up of native races, Spanish, various immigrants (German, Jewish, Chinese, Italians etc.) and many thousands of Africans who arrived in the Gulf coast after Mexico became one of the first nations in the Americas to outlaw slavery.

Our friend who mentioned discrimination against the native or Indian population, most likely is born and raised in the US. The most recent census puts pure blooded Indians at between 5-7% and other pure (immigrant) races at 5% as well, so that over 85% of Mexicans are mixed race or simply "Mexican." Unlike other "new world" countries, all Mexicans accept and acknowledge the history and heritage of the aboriginal peoples as THEIR history and heritage.

Even in Vera Cruz which has dozens of towns founded by ex-slaves and innumerable "African" place and family names, you would be hard pressed to find the African features in any faces. They may in these towns look somewhat darker, but they all look like "Mexicans." (And like my brother-in-law from Vera Cruz, are justly proud of their African heritage........)

Unlike the racist US, Mexico has pretty much absorbed its citizens into a single race. (Never forget that 150 years ago Mexico was the first nation in the post-colonial Americas to elect a 100% pure blooded Indian as its President, Benito Juarez, still regarded as the greatest president in Mexico's history.......)

There are also thousands of blacks, (mostly assimilated) who came here during the past century from Brazil, the United States and Latin America precisely in order to avoid racial discrimination and prejudice........

(I'm rambling on and on.....)

No, French AND black, Mexicans will LOVE you and you'll be treated very special, don't you worry.....

judith

I studied abroad in Monterrey and I have traveled to Mexico city several times through out the years, there are few black people in Mexico, but more in Mexico City, which felt quite strange to me as I am from the US and therefore accustomed to seeing every race of people. I noticed that sometimes you feel like you are being stared at no matter what race you are if you look different, but it is out of curiosity. I find mexicans to be very friendly and accomidating no matter what color of skin you have. Culturally it is common for mexicans to talk openly about skin color because they are so multi-toned depending on how much European blood they have. They call each other negro(blacky) or guero(whity) and it is completely okay. Have a wonderful time and do not worry you will be treated well. PS Mexicans LOVE the French!!!!!!!!!

jcirnes

Don J, Judith and the sky are right.

Remember everey one of us as humans have different experiences and as we say in Mexico "cada quien habla de cÃ³mo le fue en la feria" which means: "every person tells the story the way they experienced it".

You'll find fine people along with some other not so nice, I have travel abroad and I know that is a fact everywhere. be careful but not hysterical about your safety. Trust others but don't be overconfident.

I live near Mexico City and travel there frequently, there are areas you shouldn't go but asking aroud people will tell you about them.

Welcome to Mexico

BAL

My girlfriend is Black and she was treated just fine in Mexico. In small towns like Patzcuaro, children tended to stare at her as she was not the norm in their lives. But elsewhere, she didn't notice any undue attention and no race issues, but she is very pretty with an infectious smile and laugh and always gets interest because of that. We've been to Cuernavaca, Mexico City, Taxco, Guanajuato, Morelia, Oaxaca together in the last 3 years and she has been to Mazatlan previously.

If you are young and going to study Spanish, the young teachers will probably take great interest in you. They are interested in other cultures and students are how they find out more about the world. When I studied in Cuernavaca, a Black lady was a student and the teachers wanted to know all about her experiences in the US as a minority.

I am sure you will find the Mexican people in general very friendly and kind. That has been my experience in traveling there for more than 20 years.

Alyson

My husband and I travelled the backroads of Mexico in the Yucatan. We met many people, including modern Mayans and everyone we met were friendly, accommodating and respectful.

However, as a woman, I do know that when going out to a bar/club you have to expect aggressive flirtatiousness. Not as much as in Argentina (where the men will try to kiss you on your way to the bathroom), but they tend to be very "friendly". That's just their culture. So, keep to the buddy system.

The one thing you will also want to watch out for isn't race, but the fact that kidnappings happen more frequently in Mexico City than in the US. Just be alert and again keep to the buddy system. Don't walk around by yourself at night.

My husband and I had a great time in the Yucatan, and he studied in Mexico City as well for a month and had a great time. I'm sure you will find your stay there very pleasant.

E_Rubio9

You may find some racism at first, but the fact that you are foreign should give you an advantage because we mexicans find it interesting and even appealing.
Racism in Mexico, unfortunately is mostly against the mexican-indians which, ironically, are the actual founders of our country.

Oh_cielos

Hi, you will be treated as a foreigner and as a woman. Men will shout silly stuff at you in the streets, things to do with your bossom, your butt, your face, your hair, your everything... i mean, it is incredible how creative (sic) they can be.
But you will get used to it. We are nice people, but men can be pigs.
Mexico city is dangerous, it is true, hide your jewelery and always know where your are and where you are going, do not carry a purse, do not venture alone at night, etc.
I do not think you will be kidnapped, it is kind of hard to get a ransom from another country.
alors, cÂ´est un autre nation, un peu different mais tu serais bienvenue. (sorry, i mostly speak french, not write it).

zipps_1986

If a Mexican says something bad to you, just say "pinche indio!" jajaja

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