There's an idea in Mexico that racism doesn't exist, that all Mexicans are "mestizo" – a homogenous blend of Spanish and indigenous. But cultural worker José Antonio Aguilar says racism is lived by Black and brown Mexicans in many ways. He founded Racismo MX, an organization which seeks to dismantle racism, after coming to terms with his own racial reality as a "prieto" – a brown man. We also hear from anthropologist Ismael Rivera and Aztec expert Camilla Townsend as they unravel lies the Spanish colonizers told about ancient Aztecs that still feed racist tropes today.

Featuring:

• José Antonio Aguilar – Racismo MX, Founder and Director
• Ismael Rivera – Anthropologist, Historian, Cultural Guide
• Dr. Camilla Townsend, P.h.D. – Rutgers University, Professor

**Making Contact**

• Host: Amy Gastelum
• Freelance Producer: Anthony Wallace
• Producers: Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani, Amy Gastelum, and Lucy Kang
• Executive Director: Jina Chung
• Engineer: [Jeff Emtman](https://jeffemtman.com/)
• Digital Media Marketing: Lissa Deonarain

**Music**

Nahuales Negros – Chinampa, Cempasúchil, Barcos A Lo Lejos, Mixquic, Teponaztli, Danza A Pakal

Learn More:

• Ismael Rivera Tours
• Racismo MX
• [Camilla Townsend ](https://history.rutgers.edu/people/faculty/details/188-townsend-camilla)

Making Contact is a 29-minute weekly program committed to investigative journalism and in-depth critical analysis that goes beyond the breaking news. On the web at www.focmedia.org.