The marginalised Afro-Mexican community is the focus of a new podcast, available to listen or download from the BBC World Service.
In the audio documentary, presenter Lucy Duran meets numerous Afro-Mexicans in the remote Costa Chica area in Oaxaca. Darker skinned residents often feel neglected by the state, who only recognised the existence of Mexicans of African heritage in the national census last year.
The podcast explores the numerous challenges facing this isolated ethnic community. Afro-Mexicans are often stopped by police who believe they must be Central American migrants.
Singer-songwriter Chogo was stopped when he traveled to Mexico City. Police said he was too dark to be Mexican, and forced him to sing the national anthem to prove his nationality.
Some Afro-Mexicans have even been deported, despite having ID papers.
Campaigners are now asking the state to accept Afro-Mexicans as a separate ethnic group, distinct from indigenous people but with the same rights. Activists fighting for recognition say that they’re not currently eligible for the same financial support that indigenous communities receive.
This 50-minute documentary discovers how Afro-Mexicans struggle for recognition and identity. The arts are key, and we see how traditional Chilena music is used to affirm the Afro-Mexican place in a society that has historically ignored their existence.
“The Afro-Mexicans” podcast is available from the BBC World Service at bbc.co.uk/programmes.