by FATHER GLYN JEEMOTT
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The Biblioteca Tercera Raíz, opened in 1997 in El Ciruelo, Costa Chica, Oaxaca is part of a larger effort to break the silence and overcome the invisibility of the black Mexican population.
The library organizes a summer school in eight communities, offering workshops in painting, maskmaking, pottery, music, as well as support programs in mathematics and Spanish.
Our annual painting contest attracts hundreds of participants. Workshops in painting, mask-making and engraving have been conducted in more than 30 communities. Painting exhibitions have toured throughout the Costa Chica region and beyond.
Another library is under construction in Huehetan, Guerrero. It will join the network of smaller libraries already operating in Corralero, Minitan, El Tamal, Maldonado, and Paso de la Garrocha.
Through these libraries we aim to promote the history of Mexico's black population, to stimulate artistic and cultural production in our communities, and to contribute to the urgent task of building their social and economic potential.
Last year at the Meeting of Afro Mexican communities, March was chosen as the time to celebrate our black and African heritage. That decision was taken with the knowledge that it may take years before the black and African heritage of many Mexicans, and of the Mexican nation, will receive official recognition.
For more information about the library project, or Mexico's black community, contact:
Biblioteca Tercera Raíz
El Ciruelo
71600 Pinotepa Nacional
Oaxaca, MEX ICO
Tel: (52) 954 553 0228
glynmexneg@hotmail.com
mexiconegroac@yahoo.com
