Racism in North America - Mexico

Mexico

Racism in Mexico has a long history. Historically, White Mexicans and Mestizos with lighter skin tones had absolute control over Amerindians and darker skinned Mestizos due to the structure of the Spanish colonial caste system. Generally white Mexicans have made up the majority of Mexico's upper class and as such, many White Mexicans feel a sense of superiority over the Mestizo and Amerindians population who tend to be predominantly middle or lower income. In Mexico, people who are darker-skinned or of indigenous descent make up the majority of the working classes, while lighter-skinned Mexicans of Spanish descent typically make up the majority of the upper class. It should be noted however that a White Mexicans particularly make up the of the poor in the rural North of Mexico and that in Southern Mexico, particularly in the states of Yucatan and Chiapas Amerindians make up a large part of the upper class.

Racism in Mexico is very common, but many do not realize that they are being racist when using common phrases. For example, it is sometimes believed that when a person of a darker-skinned tone marries a person of a lighter skinned-tone, they are “ 'making the race better' (Estoy mejorando la raza)." This is a common phrase, but also a self-attack on the Mestizo, Amerindian, and/or black races.