Mexico's indigenous people viewed as victims of prejudice, poverty: study

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua

Mexico's indigenous people viewed as victims of prejudice, poverty: study

Source: Xinhua 2016-07-25 15:49:06

MEXICO CITY, July 24 (Xinhua) -- To be indigenous in Mexico is to suffer from discrimination, marginalization and poverty, according to a study released over the weekend by the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

The National Indigenous Survey aimed to paint a clearer picture of how Mexicans of European descent or mixed European-indigenous backgrounds, which make up the vast majority, perceive their indigenous counterparts.They were asked to rate the problems afflicting the indigenous.

Some 43.2 percent of those surveyed said discrimination was the biggest problem facing the indigenous, followed by poverty and marginalization at 21.6 percent, exclusion at 5.8 percent and illiteracy at 4.3 percent.

Most people acknowledged that the indigenous live more difficult lives, while 21 percent said their biggest advantage is their enduring traditions and customs, and 18.1 percent said there are no advantages to being indigenous.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-07/25/c_135538624.htm

[a la izquierda]

1. Someone is just now finding this important enough to write about?

Good lord. Well, at least it's getting published. This is my life's work, so it's a bit of a touchy subject for me, when all I see are indigenous groups being completely screwed by their own government and foreign corporations.

[Igel]

3. Because it doesn't address what people suffer.

But what people think others suffer.

You'd be in the 43%, in other words, but beliefs are a special kind of fact.

[hobbit709]

2. This is news?

That was known 40 years ago when I was there.

[Mosby]

4. Pope Francis denounced the centuries-old exploitation and exclusion of Mexico's indigenous people...

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (AP) — Pope Francis denounced the centuries-old exploitation and exclusion of Mexico's indigenous people Monday and prayed before the tomb of their controversial priestly protector during a visit heavy in symbolism to the rolling hills of southern Chiapas state.

Francis celebrated a Mass for Mexican Indians that featured readings in the native languages of Chiapas, a traditional dance of prayer and the participation of married indigenous deacons, whose ministry had been suspended by the Vatican but was revived under Francis.

The visit, at the halfway mark of Francis' five-day trip to Mexico, was of great personal importance for the pope. He insisted on visiting San Cristobal de las Casas, where the late Bishop Samuel Ruiz ministered to Mexico's poorest and supported blending their indigenous culture into Catholic rituals, much to the dismay of Mexico's church hierarchy and occasionally the Vatican.

In his homily, Francis denounced how, "in a systematic and organized way," indigenous people have been misunderstood and excluded from society over the course of history.

"Some have considered your values, culture and traditions to be inferior," he said. "Others, intoxicated by power, money and market trends, have stolen your lands or contaminated them."

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2016-02-15/pope-celebrates-indigenous-in-chiapas-as-catholics-dwindle

[FairWinds]

5. This has been true since Cortez hit the beach . .

in 1519 for the conquista.

And this is still Mexico's most serious problem.