The Dark Shadows of Slavery: A Historical Analysis of Mexican and American Treatment

Slavery, a plague on many lands and many times, has left an indelible mark on the histories of both Mexico and the United States. The legacy of this inhumane practice continues to echo through the annals of time, with echoes that still resonate today.

Slavery in the Americas

During the time of slavery in the United States, Americans did indeed engage in the trade and enslavement of Mexicans and Indians. This is not just a myth or a simple exaggeration, but a cold, hard reality documented in historically significant texts such as The New Bernal Díaz del Castillo o sea historia de la invasión de los Anglo-Americanos en México (The New Bernal Díaz del Castillo: Or the History of the Invasion of Anglo-Americans in Mexico), written by Carlos María de Bustamante.

Bustamante's work describes accounts of American groups separating from General Taylor's army and making incursions into Mexican lands. These incursions were not just for chopping down the forests but for capturing and enslave native inhabitants, marking them in iron. These slaves were sent to Louisiana, a practice reminiscent of Hernan Cortes's methods of marking and disposing of prisoners. Although atrocities like this are well-documented, they are often not mentioned in other historical sources, making them even more significant.

The Comanche Conquests

The Comanche, a powerful tribe in the Southwestern region, also engaged in raids for horses and slaves. This practice included capturing and selling other Native American Mexicans, as well as Whites. While the scale of these operations was not at the level of African chattel slavery, the Comanche's actions were certainly brutal and brought significant suffering to their victims.

Forced Dispossession and Human Rights Violations

One of the most egregious forms of human rights violations against Mexicans in American lands can be traced back to the period following the Mexican-American War. Land dispossession, lynchings, and general brutality became commonplace. Even high-ranking figures such as General Mariano Vallejo fell victim to these practices, losing his fortune through dubious lawsuits.

The mid-1900s saw another wave of injustice against the Mexican community when the U.S. government engaged in the 'repatriation' program. Between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people were forcibly deported. Many of these individuals were U.S. citizens, often living their lives under the threat of deportation. This program not only violated their rights but also tore apart families and communities.

The Zoot Suit Riots: A Chapter of Violence

The Zoot Suit Riots of the 1940s further demonstrate the level of violence against Mexicans in the United States. This outbreak of violence was sparked by a perceived lack of patriotism in the form of Zoot Suits, which were seen as unpatriotic due to fabric rationing. This riot was not confined to Los Angeles but spread across several cities, including Chicago and New York.

The events of the Zoot Suit Riots were marked by a systematic and militarized attack on Mexican Americans. American servicemen, often from the Midwest where they had not encountered Latinos before, targeted their neighborhoods and youth. The military "vigilantes" used brutal tactics, arresting Latinos and targeting African Americans as well, despite orders not to arrest whites or military personnel.

Contemporary Struggles: The Rise of Hate Crimes

Though the overt practices of violence and dispossession may have declined, the prejudice against Mexican communities continues. Recent years have seen a rise in hate crimes, especially following the election of the current U.S. president. According to data from ProPublica, hate crimes against Mexican Americans have increased for the third consecutive year, even with the FBI potentially undercounting the true number of incidents by hundreds of thousands.

The legacy of slavery and its aftermath is not just a historical lesson to be learned from but a tragic reminder of the ongoing struggles against prejudice and discrimination. It is crucial that we continue to educate ourselves and work towards a future where such injustices no longer exist.

Keywords: Slavery in the Americas, Mexican American War, Lynchings and Expulsions