NEW MEXICO’S AMAZING BLACK HISTORY
By Rob Martinez, State Historian of New Mexico.
“African history runs deep in New Mexico. Black history is often framed within the institution of slavery, but in New Mexico, New Mexicans of African descent were ambassadors, explorers, colonists, soldiers, cowboys, discoverers, settlers, businessmen, educators, and much more.”
REFLECTIONS ON THE LOSS OF A NEW MEXICO CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER
By Carlyn N. Pinkins, M. A.
“The Dr. Harold Baileys of the world should inspire us all to do what we can to leave our communities, our towns and cities – our great state – better places than we found them. While we do our part to create the Dr. Harold Baileys of the future, we should also strive to make sure that the Dr. Harold Baileys of our past and present are never forgotten.”
REFLECTIONS ON THE BLACK FOOTPRINT IN NEW MEXICO
By Darryl Wellington
“Let’s begin with a story that reflects my concerns that the Black presence isn’t significantly appreciated — but that simultaneously reaffirms my belief in the importance of teaching New Mexican Black history.”
A MUSLIM FITTING INTO NEW MEXICO
By Ryqir Haden
“I am a Muslim, and I belong in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Surprised? So am I.”
HEALER OF THE UNSEEN: DR. META L. CHRISTY
By Ina Jane
“As the first Black female doctor of osteopathy, she set the standard for exemplary medical and community service.”
“OUTRIDERS: LEGACY OF THE BLACK COWBOY” NARRATING THE RICH HISTORY OF THE BLACK COWBOY IN THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST
By Ariana Kramer
“Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy depicts information that is little known in terms of the role that African Americans played in the settling and development of the Western United States.”
SHIKATAGANAI — IT CAN’T BE HELPED
By Shelley Takeuchi
“May is now designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.”
FISH NOT FLESH: SYMBOLISM OF THE NEW MEXICO LENTEN FEAST
By Vanessa Baca
“Ultimately, it is the return to life after the darkness of death that is at the heart of Lent and Easter Sunday, and it is this contrast that is represented in the food eaten by New Mexico Catholics.”
ENCOUNTERING NEW MEXICO
By Darryl Wellington
“I was aware that New Mexico was heavily Indigenous and Hispanic. It did not lack people of color. But I soon learned I was not completely mistaken in immediately worrying how race was constructed here, in terms of post-colonial oppression, and whether the absence of blackness might mean the preeminence of whiteness.”
HISPASIAN
By Melissa Auh Krukar
“The questions are always the same: ‘Where are you from?’ or worse, ‘Where are you really from?’ or worse yet, ‘What are you?'”