A Cultural Rising: Back Power in Latin America

Currently, there has been a merging of a multitude of peoples who have gathered together for one purpose: to seek basic human rights in their homeland. Similar to the Black Civil Rights Movement that took place in the United States not too long ago, the black population in Latin American countries such as Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Cuba has begun to embrace sentiments shared by outstanding members of the race riots that were waged decades ago. In fact, one prominent non-political movement for racial equality among blacks is called the Martin Luther King Movement for Civil Rights. These movements have erupted from the continual years of hardship faced by blacks in Latin America as well as African American proponents from all corners of the world. In Nicaragua alone, it was found that "blacks in the region are more likely to be born into poverty, to die young, to read poorly and to live in substandard housing". ("Afro-Latin Americans: A rising voice") Fortunately there are those who are willing and waiting to assist there fellow brethren from the United States. In the summer of 2007, U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks had rallied supporters and proponents for this "black power" movement while hosting the Congressional Black Caucus. During this televised event, Meeks discussed the sordid living conditions of much of the black population with the Colombian president Alvaro Uribe. Since then, many other politicians have followed suit. I find it encouraging that Latin American has taken a great part of America's past and incorporated it into their own factions. Though I believe America still has a ways to go to reach true racial equality, knowing that one nation is not alone with keeping this ideal is truly comforting.

Works Cited:

http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/afrolatin/part1/index.html