This past Monday, October 21, Afro-Mexican Activist Tanya Duarte was among a group of six recipients who were honored at the Global Anti-Racism Champions Award Ceremony presented by the Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken. The Awards celebrated the recipient’s philanthropic efforts, especially as they pertained to racism, education, and human rights. For Duarte, this issue hit incredibly close to home, “My mom is white. My father is black. And I’ve been arrested many times when I was a teenager, sometimes for three days…they wanted to deport me.” The racism Duarte faced is nothing short of harrowing. Her life has been an uphill battle of activism, fighting against corruption and injustice at every turn.
“[Even] now when I’m coming to the airport in Chiapas or the airport in Mexico City, I get stopped and frisked. I’m the only one and I’m very critical and I ask, what is your criteria? Why do you check me in this way and not the rest of the people, you know?”
Despite the struggles Duarte has faced, of which there are many, she’s managed to become a beacon of hope for Afro-Mexican citizens. Caring for victims of domestic and sexual violence, advising on Mexico’s Supreme Court, and even launching her own Afro-Descendants Project to enable individuals of Afro-descent to share their stories, promote human rights, and equality in Mexico and all around the world. As Secretary Blinken stated during the ceremony, “For all of us here at the department, coming together with leaders like these is quite simply inspiring.”
A key element Duarte emphasizes is the importance of education, specifically the history of our ancestors, “Black people, we exist in Mexico, right? For the last 10 years, we have been pushing countries like Mexico to change the constitution, to include these communities, but it doesn’t happen.” Duarte explained how the history of Black Mexicans still isn’t being told accurately. Black citizens are very othered in the country, oftentimes not even seen as Mexican at all. So much of this has to do with a lack of education and true awareness of the history of their culture. This is something Duarte came to appreciate about the United States and the way we display the dark sides of our history as well as the light.
“Now I have the privilege of visiting the African American History and Culture Museum in Washington. And it was an amazing experience. It healed my soul. Because it [showed] not only the tragedy, and the times of the civil rights, but the diversity is so beautiful, so powerful.”
So much of Duarte’s own efforts are centered around educating Afro-Mexicans, that they deserve to exist in this country. Whether they got here through immigration a generation ago, or have lived here for centuries, they belong, “I think the key to opening the heart of the people is education.” She explains, “We have a right to know the real history. You know, immigration is not a crime.”
For all of Tanya Duarte’s efforts, she has remained humble, dedicated, and the perfect example of what true strength looks like. It’s exciting to know someone of her caliber is being recognized by the US government. Honored for the work they put in, and the struggles they’ve moved through. As Secretary Blinken stated, “The courage of these honorees, of the causes and the communities that they represent – this is the most powerful antidote to hate, to despair, to hateful acts, to hardened hearts. And that’s why we come together today – to celebrate their extraordinary achievement. And it’s also why we have to continue the work of promoting human rights for all.”
For more information on the Global Anti-Racism Champions Award Ceremony please visit: https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-the-global-anti-racism-champions-award-ceremony/?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=news_bar&utm_campaign=gacr
