Back to Black

It's time we Californians-black, brown and in-between-learn what a lot of people forget or never knew in the first place: Brown people are actually black, too! Yes, friends, a long, long time ago, Mexico City had an 8:1 African-to-Spaniard ratio (and about a 19:1 indigenous-to-Spaniard ratio). There was an even higher ratio of Africans to Spaniards in Veracruz, the first and biggest Western port and slave-trading post in the 16th century. Needless to say, a lot of mixin' went on, despite the Spaniards' efforts to stop it. Mexico was also the birthplace of the first free African colony, founded in 1609. To learn about all this good stuff, stop by African-studies professor Ron Wilkins' "Journey to Black Mexico" photo exhibit at the 2nd City Council Gallery in Long Beach.
Sat., Jan. 26, 12-5 p.m.; Wednesdays-Saturdays, 12-5 p.m. Starts: Jan. 26. Continues through Feb. 28, 2008