When we hear about the Apaches or the blacks or negritos, we think of some as an indigenous people that belongs to the United States, and in others, as a race of African origin. However, there is much more behind it.
Let's be honest, in this blog I'm not going to soften reality. The historical record is what it is, and there is no point in trying to hide it.
To begin with, apache comes from the word zuñi apuche, which means "enemy." This name was imposed on them by the Spanish to refer to them pejoratively. However, they call themselves as indé, whose meaning is "the people."
The so-called Apaches, brought together different original nomadic peoples that spread throughout the north of Mexico and the south of the United States. That is, they are also Mexican.
The genocide suffered because of his nomadic identity was derived from his supposed "rebellion" against the viceroyalty.
Sadly, the subjugation of this people lasted until 1928, when the government of Mexico considered the ethnic group in its territory extinct. In the United States they continued to harass them until they were confined to reservations in Arizona, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
On the other hand, African populations were brought to Mexico, mainly during the colonial era. They not only settled on the coasts of the country, they also lived in the north of the Mexican Republic.
The Africans who came to Mexico as slaves to be assigned to mining and farm work were around 250,000; not counting those who arrived for smuggling. Many of them were from central and eastern Africa.
Independent Mexico inherited the complexity of relations with native peoples and the black population, derived from the viceregal caste system, and from the slave trade.
Now, we are in the middle of 2020 and the current reality demands a sufficiently diverse and inclusive world. That does not discriminate against anyone by class, color or gender.
In recent weeks, social movements in the United States and the world have stepped on the accelerator for governments, companies and even sports teams to adapt to this new reality.
This social commitment has also spread to other communities such as the Latino and Native American communities. That is why I have decided to contribute to this racial vindication from within our reach, and to discontinue the caps with the Apache and the black designs in my store.
I share the idea of responding positively to diversity, and respecting the differences that make us unique as human beings.
With information from México Desconocido and La Crónica.
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