Wealth, Beauty and Racism in Mexico. The paper focuses on the racism between the indigenous vs. white people in Mexico.

Essay by betobertoUniversity, Bachelor'sA, November 2006

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There are two different worlds in Mexico, the world of the white (and rich) and the world of the Indigenous (and poverty stricken). Indigenous people have been excluded from privileges of the white population; they have been abused, attacked, neglected and essentially forgotten.

Race and wealth inequality/wealth distribution-

Extreme poverty excessively affects the indigenous portion of the population. Statistics (World CIA Factbook) indicate that the vast concentrations of wealth is among the white, which represent 9% of the population contrasted against the "darker" citizens is direct proof that racial and class discrimination exists in Mexico. Politicians, businessmen, intellectual elites of the nation all tend to be white and well educated and well-traveled.

Another reason for wealth distribution is the language barriers that preclude meaningful participation for indigenous people in the nation's GDP. Most indigenous people don't speak Spanish, even though Spanish is the language that has been assigned in the Education System. As a result, education is unavailable. Illiteracy rate among indigenous people is six times the national average. Moreover, this proves a huge disadvantage during election time as ballots and voter information is only available in Spanish. If the indigenous people cannot read or understand Spanish they cannot cast their vote, or vote for someone who may make a difference to their culture.

Mexicans, live with the discrepancies of incomes directly correlating with race. The original criollo structure is still very strong and influential in Mexico.

Race and beauty-

Mexico is a very patriotic nation especially for its Indian heritage, which is ironic since Indians are despised for their physical appearance, poverty, and language. Racism is common around Mexican homes, defining the Mexican hierarchy to their children according to colour.

Mexicans ideal beauty quickly determines their racial hierarchy. At the top of their list is white skin,