Kwame Samuda
West Virginia University College of Law, Rising 2L
5/28/08
Race and Equality in Mexico

Yesterday’s seminar touched on race in Mexico. We discussed the perceived social status of different ethnic groups and compared the understanding of race in Mexico to the issues of race in the US. What I did not expect to learn was a brief but practical perception of race from Mexican students. In a somewhat difficult to understand exchange of broken Spanish and broken English, I learned that many of the Mexican students have never seen people of African descent in person, but they embraced our differences.

Since the beginning of this Study Abroad experience in Guanajuato, I have felt the stares of men, women, and children. Even little babies look at me in some sort of amazement. Collectively, they glare with an innocent curiosity, seeing something that many of them have never seen before in person. They are able to see a man of African descent. These stares may lack understanding, but I am not convinced that they obtain the hatred that some of our readings suggest, nor am I convinced that they obtain the unwarranted hatred that is extended by many Americans who obtain hearts filled with prejudice.

Today’s trip further confirms my conviction. Today we went to the cities of Dolores Hildago and San Miguel to shop, dine, and to take in the culture of the towns. Upon our arrival to Dolores Hildago, a group of us really needed to use the restroom and saw what appeared to be a storefront. To our surprise, we actually walked into someone’s house and instead of being thrown out; we were greeted by the words “Mi Casa es su Casa”, and were allowed to use their facilities. While, I do not suggest that deep racial divisions do not exist in Mexico, I can say that my experiences have felt more affable than some I have experienced in my own country of origin. We ended the day by dining as a large group along with students from the University of Guanajuato.