Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Afro-Mexican Actors Combat Racism and Celebrate Their Heritage Through Theater
  • Local news

Afro-Mexican Actors Combat Racism and Celebrate Their Heritage Through Theater

    Afro Mexican actors fighting racism celebrate their heritage through their plays
    Up next
    Opec+ to boost oil output for third consecutive month
    OPEC+ to Increase Oil Production for Third Straight Month
    Published on 31 May 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • actors,
    • Afro,
    • Aldo Martin,
    • celebrate,
    • Entertainment,
    • ethnicity,
    • Fighting,
    • Heritage,
    • María Elisa Velázquez,
    • Marisol Castillo,
    • Mexican,
    • plays,
    • race,
    • Racism,
    • Religion,
    • their,
    • through,
    • world news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    TICUMÁN – TICUMÁN, MéThere was something about her body, but Mexican actress Eréndira Castorela couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

    Some casting directors told her she was “too tall” to play a Mexican woman. Others insinuated her features weren’t sufficiently “Indigenous.”

    “I came to understand my identity as Afro much later,” stated Castorela, who later verified her African roots. “We are a varied community that, possibly due to bias, often doesn’t identify this way.”

    Her perspective shifted when she joined Mulato Teatro, a theater group dedicated to supporting actors of African descent who want to succeed despite facing racism. Yet, like many Afro Mexican advocates, Castorela believes national acknowledgment is still quite distant.

    “Observing around us, we’ll notice curly hair, prominent cheekbones, full lips, or dark skin tones,” mentioned the 33-year-old. “Yet, there’s a deep-seated issue hindering our self-recognition.”

    The Afro Mexican lineage

    Unlike the United States, where there have been concerted efforts to boost awareness of the Black history, acknowledging Black people in Mexico has received little support.

    “The concept of mixed race denies the cultural diversity that defines us as Mexicans,” said María Elisa Velázquez, a researcher at the National School of Anthropology and History. “We are not only Indigenous, but also European, African and Asian.”

    It is well known that the Mesoamerican lands conquered by the Spaniards in the 16th century were inhabited by Indigenous people, resulting in mixed-race marriages and births. Less noted is the fact that some mixed-race Mexicans are partly descended from enslaved Black people.

    According to Velázquez, the evolution of communities incorporating Black people depended on their geographic location. “Much of the Afro-descendant population established relations and coexisted alongside different Indigenous groups, resulting in very heterogeneous communities,” she said.

    Official figures from 2024 estimate the Afro-descendant population in Mexico is 3.1 million, mainly residing in the states of Guerrero, Morelos, Colima and Quintana Roo. While most identify as African Mexican, nearly two-thirds also perceive themselves as Indigenous.

    Finding her true identity

    Castorela — born in Morelos, a state neighboring Mexico City — recalls looking through family photo albums after first wondering if she had African ancestry. The features of her relatives left no room for doubt.

    “I also realized we had created a narrative that concealed our origins,” she said. “There was always someone saying: ‘But there was a blond person in the family,’ or ‘Grandma had finer features.’”

    Castorela may not have curly hair and her skin tone may not resemble that of other Afro women, but she said her body never lied.

    When she was a young actress taking ballet classes, she felt constrained and uncomfortable. It wasn’t until she joined African dance classes that the choreography was ideal for her height, weight and soul.

    “I feel much freer because there’s openness and movement,” she said. “Identifying as African Mexican has given me the mental and spiritual peace I needed to realize there is a place where I can reflect myself.”

    A struggling career

    The theater company where Castorela and two dozen other artists collaborate was founded in the early 2000s by another Afro woman who struggled to excel as a Black actress in Mexico.

    Born in Colombia, a South American country where around 10% of the population is Black, Marisol Castillo said she had no clue her physical features would hinder her career. But after falling in love with Mexican playwright Jaime Chabaud and moving to his hometown, everything changed.

    “Some want to force us to fit a mold, a white mold,” Castillo said. “And when we differ, we’re told: ‘You’re a bad actor, you’re out of tune.’ But we’re just different.”

    Casting directors mostly offered Castillo roles as prostitute, exotic dancer, maid or slave. So she teamed up with Chabaud, and “Mulato Teatro” was born.

    “There was very little openness and awareness,” Chabaud said. “So I started writing plays for her.”

    Tales of African and Mexican heritage

    The themes of Chabaud’s plays are as diverse as the actors who bring his characters to life.

    “African Erotic Tales of the Black Decameron” draws inspiration from oral traditions, fusing the worldview of African communities. ”Yanga” portrays a real-life 17th-century Black hero who is considered a liberator in the Mexican state of Veracruz.

    Among the topics inspiring Chabaud are not only African legends or characters, but stories closer to home. “Where are you going, Mr. Opossum?” tells the tale of a “Tlacuache,” an ancient creature from Mesoamerican mythology.

    In Chabaud’s play, the Tlacuache steals fire from a goddess to save humanity from hunger and darkness. The creature has no divine powers, but his ability to play dead enables him to sneak past the Jaguar, a deity safeguarding the flames.

    “Jaime always tells us that we should all worship Mr. Tlacuache instead of other deities,” said Aldo Martin, playing the leading role.

    Martin, 28, does not identify as Afro, but feels the company’s work successfully portrays Mexico’s diversity.

    “Our ancestors are not only Indigenous, but a fusion, and these mixed heritages have resulted in a very distinct society, made of all colors, which shouldn’t pigeonhole us into just being Afro,” Martin said.

    Diversity is welcomed at Mulato Teatro

    Castillo and Chabaud primarily encourage Afro-Mexican artists to work in their plays, but they also welcome amateur actors and LGBTQ+ performers.

    One of them is transgender actress Annya Atanasio Cadena, who began her career in plays addressing topics such as suicide, alcoholism and drug addiction in marginalized communities.

    “In my (LGBTQ+) community, we know what it’s like to fight against the world,” said Atanasio, who plays a trans woman in one of Chabaud’s plays about gender violence.

    “I’m very moved to have been given the chance to become part of this space, which also heals me,” she added. “We can show that we exist and we are more than just a story. We are bodies, desires, feelings, and the pain we carry.”

    Dreams of an unknown land

    There’s a special play written and directed by Castillo: “Dreaming of Africa.”

    Although she has not been able to trace the exact roots of her ancestry, her work and community make her feel closer to a long-lost home.

    “When we, people from the same ethnicity meet, we call each other ‘brother,’” Castillo said. “After all, we came from the same ports.”

    She said she’ll never forget a presentation of “Dreaming of Africa,” when a girl from the audience approached her.

    “She could barely speak, so we hugged,” Castillo said. “Then she said: ’Thank you for telling me I’m pretty, for making me feel my worth’.”

    Castillo, too, learns something about herself as she acts, writes and directs. It’s like peeling an onion, she said, taking layer by layer to reveal what’s underneath.

    “I grow with each play,” Castillo said. “I feel prouder of my roots, knowing that I can move away from stereotypes like playing a prostitute or a witch. That I, too, can be a queen.”

    ____

    Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Anti-ICE demonstrators march to Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
    • Local news

    Protesters Against ICE Rally at Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

    HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. () — More than a hundred residents of…
    • Internewscast
    • July 12, 2025
    Two lucky Illinois Lottery players win $1M on Powerball tickets
    • Local news

    Pair of Fortunate Illinois Residents Score $1 Million Each with Powerball Tickets

    CHICAGO Two lucky Illinoisans are now millionares after buying $1 million winning…
    • Internewscast
    • July 12, 2025
    Blue-state leaders weigh new laws to deal with financial fallout from Trump's big bill
    • Local news

    Leaders in Blue States Consider New Legislation to Address Financial Impact of Trump’s Major Bill

    State legislators are rushing to address the anticipated financial impact of President…
    • Internewscast
    • July 11, 2025
    Bluffton Fire: multiple lightning strike calls during storms
    • Local news

    Bluffton Fire Responds to Multiple Lightning Strikes Amid Storms

    The Bluffton Township Fire District (BTFD) was kept busy on Thursday due…
    • Internewscast
    • July 11, 2025
    Trump administration sues California over egg prices and blames animal welfare laws
    • Local news

    Trump Administration Challenges California’s Egg Pricing, Citing Animal Welfare Regulations

    The Trump administration has initiated legal action against the state of California,…
    • Internewscast
    • July 11, 2025
    ‘We’ll be back,’ says manager of Kerr County’s historic Hunt Store
    • Local news

    Manager of Historic Hunt Store in Kerr County Promises, ‘We’ll Return’

    KERR COUNTY, Texas () The manager of Kerr County’s historic Hunt Store…
    • Internewscast
    • July 12, 2025
    Trump gives FEMA funds for catastrophic flooding as agency's future is up in the air
    • Local news

    Trump Allocates FEMA Funds for Severe Flooding While Agency’s Future Remains Uncertain

    Tampa, Fla. (WFLA) — President Donald Trump has consistently stated his intention…
    • Internewscast
    • July 11, 2025
    Looking for a job? An AI recruiter might interview you next
    • Local news

    AI Recruiters: The Future of Job Interviews

    Wafa Shafiq, a 26-year-old Canadian marketing professional and lifestyle influencer, has been…
    • Internewscast
    • July 11, 2025
    AI-powered hotel hosts dignitaries, world leaders at first event
    • Local news

    AI-Driven Hotel Welcomes World Leaders and Dignitaries for Inaugural Event

    LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Southern Nevada’s first AI-powered hotel made headlines Thursday,…
    • Internewscast
    • July 11, 2025
    7/11 Slurpee Day
    • Local news

    7-Eleven Celebrates 98th Anniversary with Free Slurpees and Fun Tongue Tattoos

    7-Eleven is marking its 98th birthday on July 11 with a nationwide…
    • Internewscast
    • July 11, 2025
    Search for flood victims — and answers — continues in central Texas
    • Local news

    Ongoing Efforts to Find Flood Victims and Solutions in Central Texas

    () The search for victims continues in central Texas as residents work…
    • Internewscast
    • July 11, 2025
    LIVE: Blue Angels roar through the sky at Pensacola Beach Air Show
    • Local news

    Live Coverage: Blue Angels Dazzle the Skies at Pensacola Beach Air Show

    PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) — The Blue Angels have returned to their…
    • Internewscast
    • July 11, 2025
    Knicks fail first test to implement Mike Brown's vision
    • US

    Knicks Struggle to Implement Mike Brown’s Strategy in Initial Test

    LAS VEGAS — Mike Brown didn’t reveal much in his introductory news…
    • Internewscast
    • July 12, 2025
    Ty Cobb: AG Pam Bondi Is Not Going Anywhere
    • News

    Ty Cobb Confirms: Attorney General Pam Bondi Will Stay in Position

    Former White House special counsel Ty Cobb said Friday on CNN’s “OutFront”…
    • Internewscast
    • July 12, 2025
    Report: The two networks that ignored attack on ICE facility
    • World News

    Report: Two Networks Overlook Assault on ICE Facility

    MSNBC and CNN did not devote any on-air coverage to a domestic…
    • Internewscast
    • July 12, 2025
    The hidden drag on China's economy
    • Asia

    Unveiling the Unseen Challenges Affecting China’s Economy

    Pictured here is construction on the One Sunac Opus high-end apartment complex…
    • Internewscast
    • July 12, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.