Over sixty years have passed since the publication of Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán’s pioneering work on the black population in Mexico. Since then, a host of seminars, programs, and events held at a number of diverse institutions have helped advance research on the subject matter, as well as to expand its reach to a wider audience. For instance, the “Third Root” program of the Mexican government’s Dirreción de Culturas Populares organized several academic conferences in the ‘90s that resulted in several outstanding publications. The Academic Seminar of the Direccíon de Etnología y Antropología Social (the Directorate of Ethnology and Social Anthroplogy) of the INAH (the National Institute for Anthropology and History) has brought together scholars for over a decade years to partake in a rich exchange of ideas, to embark upon projects, conferences and expositions, and to launch a series of volumes on the black experience in Mexico. Additionally, the CIESAS (Center for Research and Higher Study in Social Anthropology) in conjunction with other institutions has developed research projects and publications. The UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico), through various centers, institutes and programs like the CCyDEL y Afroamérica (Center for the Coordination and Diffusion of Latin American and Afro-American Studies), the University of Veracruz, and the Universities of Guanajuato and Guerrero, have all engaged in a host of important research and promotional activities. On the other hand, researchers in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras (among other Central American nations), in addition to researchers in the United States and elsewhere have made important contributions to the topic.

Considering this important historical juncture, as well as the synergy of research and political activity that has started taking place on the subject of blackness in our hemisphere, we feel the need to convene a broad, encompassing inquiry, one that combines anthropological and historical perspectives in hope of moving beyond the unnecessary clichés of black victimization and the folklorization of black culture—both of which have served to bind and stereotype research on blackness. With this in mind, we seek links to the sources and differentiated processes that, through slavery and forced migration, first brought Africans to New Spain (colonial Mexico), the Caribbean, and the territories currently known as Central America. We also believe it is imperative for the advancement of African Diasporic research, to insist upon taking into account the contemporary contexts that distinguish places like México and Central America from other countries and regions, such as the United Status, Colombia, Brazil, and greater South America. Recognizing historical and contemporary uniqueness may be able to lead to better understand why the existing state of dialogue with our colleagues in other parts of the Americas, whether they be of the Anglo-Saxon or Iberian provenance, is so controverted, and how we might be able to progress towards more fruitful exchanges.

Without a doubt, over the years the study of the African Diaspora in Mexico and Central America has grown and become highly diversified. It is impossible now to deny that there is research and interest in the topic. Consequently, it is time for hosting a broad-reaching conference, one that delineates the various avenues that have been used to interpret our national and regional societies, and how they have integrated, adopted, and even engaged with ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity. This conference on Diaspora, Nation and Difference aspires to demonstrate the vitality, pertinence, and creativity of this field of study, without being exclusionary or privy to hegemonic intellectual influences. In particular, we believe that young academics and students bring enlightening perspectives that can enrich the field. In our current historical moment, where cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity are coming to comprise central roles in the political agendas of many Latin American countries, it is crucial to understand where we are headed and where we’ve come from with respect to multi-ethnic discourse. This is pivotal towards fostering a better understanding of our history, and showing us how to better de-code our present society.

Conference Objective:
-To initiate a broad-based examination of the black population in Mexico and Central America, encompassing both historical and anthropological perspectives. The conference will be consciously limited to this geographic area in order to provide specific parameters that will enable more consistency and coherence to the dialogue and discussion.
-Each session aspires to foster interdisciplinary conversations between history, anthropology, sociology, economics, and the other social sciences. The purpose of this interdisciplinary exchange is to be mindful of including multiple research problematics and methodologies, and to enrich our understanding of specific social processes that transcend historical epochs, or that emerge and transform according to individual contexts. Analyses that foster comparative perspectives will be given special consideration—even if such comparisons are between local, regional, historical, processual, or national contexts and phenomena.
-This conference is part of the broader preparations currently being made for the 2010 independence celebrations in Mexico and Central America, occasioning a timely reflection and reassessment of the process of state formation and national identity.
-Although the focus of the conference is on Mexico and Central America, studies of certain parts of the Caribbean will be included, and plenary sessions will seek to open broader perspectives by featuring colleagues who are working on other parts of the World, such as South America, Africa, Europe, and the United States.

Specific goals:
To give relevance to the subject matter in academic, social, and political circles.
To reflect on the similarities and diversity of experiences of Africans and their descendants in Mexico and Central America.
To stir up dialogue between intellectual frameworks, theories, national experiences and academic “schools,” with the goal of constructing a firmer, more informed, and elaborate scholarly analysis within the greater international arena.
To stimulate greater participation and student interest.
To create links of cooperation and exchange between students and specialists.
To publish and disseminate the conference proceedings and papers over the internet, and if possible, in the form of edited volumes.

Themes:
This conference will address four central themes (see below). Once all proposals are submitted and reviewed by the organizing committee, papers and panels will be arranged into specific thematic sessions. In general, the thematic sessions will combine history with the study of contemporary societies (utilizing anthropological, geographical, sociological, political science, and economic disciplinary frameworks, among others).

1-Population, economy, mobility and Diaspora
This theme explores the following points:
-The population of African origin in the colonial economy, the slave trade, asentistas, plantation enclaves, commercial flows in the Atlantic, forced labor
-The politics of settlement, guilds, and black activities in diverse regions
-The circulation, globalization, and exchange between African descent populations in the Americas; the contemporary flows of black culture

2-Culture, identity and nation. Colonial and Post-colonial experiences
This theme explores the following points:
-The construction of nation-states and mestizaje (racial mixture): how do we think collectively about inclusion and exclusion?
-Colonial Hispanic-American identities in urban and rural contexts
-Regional culture and African-descent culture: plural identities and their multiple combinations

3-Integration, discrimination and resistance
This theme explores the following points:
-Slavery, discrimination, segregation and prejudice: a genealogy of stigma. Liberty and resistance movements, relations and inter-cultural exchanges, the possibilities and opportunities for economic mobility
-Historical laws and legal codes (the “Black Codes” or códigos negros, abolition, legal status of slaves); contemporary laws and legal codes (multicultural legislation, affirmative action)
-The processes of evangelization to education, targeted for “blacks”
-Racism and racist practices: an interrupted history?
-Discrimination and access to rights

4-Themes and Methodologies
This theme explores the following points:
-Future work; forgotten topics
-Current polemics and their theoretical and methodological contributions

Conference Overview and Schematic:
This conference on Diaspora, Nation and Difference is open to specialists, college students, and graduate students who are interested in the subject matter. It is organized into several panels and three plenary sessions. Special tables will be available to distribute monographs and select student work.

The format will be:
1-Inauguration ceremony (June 10), 6:00 p.m.
2-Three days of sessions (June 11-13) 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Expositions, video presentations, and other cultural activities will also be held during the period of the conference.