Moving to Mexico

arguably the histories of all of Mexico's minority groups are worth telling

I believe I read this book a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. ¨Land of the cosmic race race mixture, racism, and blackness in Mexico,¨ written by Sue, Christina A., published in New York by Oxford University Press, 2013.

Thank you so much.......Ill see if Books A Million have it today

Wow, what area are you living? Also, in your opinion, why is that?

So few Black Americans in YOUR area, small % of locals who identify themselves as Afro Mexicans....etc WHY? Solely your opinion, may I ask.

You´re more likely to find the book I mentioned (or a similar one) on the shelves of your nearest university library. Most universities have a commitment to community and will loan books under certain conditions even if you´re not registered as a student there.

I do not live in Mexico. I visit as a tourist. As for why so few Black Americans visit Mexico (if indeed it´s true, but it´s certainly my observation), I am reminded of some conversations I had with Frank, the chess cartel leader, a few years back. Frank got his PhD in African studies, so I suppose he was as qualified as any. We agreed that perhaps the primary reason was that Blacks saw Hispanics as the primary competitors for jobs in USA, so didn´t feel particularly enthused about visiting Hispanic cultures while on holiday. Whether this is true or not is hard to say; I´ve never seen any studies about it. I have to admit I was perplexed by the earlier comment that expats told you skin colour wasn´t an issue. I heard about a survey of Americans during your recent presidential election that found 90% of Americans blamed Blacks and the Poor for ruining their society. And just look at who´s in your jails if you have any more doubt.

No, relatively speaking, many Mexicans in the state I´m visiting, that is Oaxaca, identify as AfroMexican (but not as many as Guerrero), still it´s still only a tiny amount, several percent.

Not all expats are from the USA !

Many of the "Afro-Mestizos" are descendants of slaves brought to Mexico. The "Costa Chica" of both Guerrero and Oaxaca probably have the largest concentration of Afro-Mestizos. The Municipio of Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero is reported to be the home to 50,000+ such persons. Acapulco has a very large Afro-Mestizo presence, and many African-Americans visit there in groups ... or did so in larger numbers before the Mexican terrorism problem.

However, you won't likely find much connection in lifestyles or sympathy between the Afro-Mestizo's and African-Americans. Very different cultures. Peoples in the Afro-Mestizo communities of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Veracruz are suspicious of all outsiders ... including African-Americans.

Afro-Mestizos, and blacks generally, in Mexico tend to be at the bottom of the economic scale ... and discrimination against indigenous and poor, and blacks in Mexico is rampant in much of the country from what I've witnessed. Blacks may be welcomed open-armed in White expat, progressive political communities, and amongst Canadian expats ... but don't confuse the politically liberal expat community with the broader Mexican community.

There have been several prominent, successful Afro-Mestizo political leaders and businesspersons, nationally ... however.

LW

Wow, that's so amazing. I didn't know that. I cant say enough about how much I do appreciate the education you're providing. I knew about the high % of Afro Mexicans on the Pacific Coast, specifically in the State of Guerrero & Oaxaca but in regards to racism, discrimination and the fact that even Afro Mexicans are suspicious of outside blacks was very new to me. I'm really confused and having second thoughts about visiting let alone moving. I just read that a another American from California was shot (gun down) in the state of Guerrero. He was in some beach town where a lot of Americans visit. The man was only there to visit while on the Christmas break an his life was taken. I'm puzzled, sadden and disturbed. I understand that there is violence everywhere but for me to go to foreign soil alone, scares me. Being black, I'm not sure where I would fit in. I'm retired, I have a decent pension at the age of 51 but even at that I'm worried for such transition to Mexico.

Acapulco has always been a dodgy place and the whole state of Guerrero, come to that. But it's a big country, I'll bet there are parts of the US you would avoid as well. Don't overreact.

Cuba comes to mind as a country that´s safer generally, has a more posive Black bias, well educated and healthy citizenry, and low cost of living for locals, (but high cost for foreigners). Don´t know if Americans can easily visit there, much less retire there.