Mexico welcomed fugitive slaves and African American job-seekers
New perspectives on the immigration debate
by Ron Wilkins, Patrice Lumumba Coalition
New perspectives on the immigration debate
by Ron Wilkins, Patrice Lumumba Coalition
In 1829, AfroMexican President Vicente Guerrero signed a decree banning slavery in the Mexican Republic.There are, of course, many angles from which to view the escalating immigration debate. Mexican immigrants, who constitute the largest share of the undocumented, have a unique history with the African population inside the United States. As the Black community weighs in on this very contentious issue, it becomes necessary for us - both black and brown - to review the history that we share.
However, before reviewing our history together, I need to say unequivocally that the U.S. seizure of more than half of Mexico's territory in 1848 netted Washington more than 80 percent of Mexico's fertile land and was a criminal act. And that if Mexico today still included California and Texas, she would possess more oil than Saudi Arabia and have sufficient economic infrastructure to employ all of her people.
When Mexican people say that "the border crossed us, we did not cross the border," they speak the truth, and more Black people - most of whom are not strangers to oppression, exploitation, domination and exclusion - need to appreciate that.
