Four years ago, Tenoch Huerta was introduced to millions of Netflix viewers with his portrayal of Rafael Caro Quintero (aka Rafa) in the critically acclaimed television series Narcos: Mexico. Although his work on-screen was already known throughout Spain and various countries in Latin America, Narcos: Mexico provided him with much more visibility on a global scale. Fast forward to the November release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Tenoch's fictional role as Namor, the underwater king of Talokan, has shot his popularity into another stratosphere. The 41-year-old actor, who identifies as indigenous, is now using his influence to bring more social awareness to a topic that has loomed over several communities in Latin America since the colonial period, colorism.
During a recent interview with Rubio En La Red, the Mexican-born entertainer was asked to respond to the notion that “Mexicans believe racism does not exist in Mexico.” In response, he said, “Because we make it invisible...And also because it is a common practice, we do it every day.”
Later in the discussion, Tenoch went into detail with an example that people of color all over the world can relate to, “Imagine that you realize…that your grandma racialized you your whole life… that your grandma, for you being brown, preferred your cousin, the light-skinned one. How painful...“Or that your mother insisted you marry someone with light skin to ‘better the race.’”
In the past, Tenoch has been vocal about “Poder Prieto,” a self-empowering movement intended to support and encourage Latinos with darker skin. His first book, Orgullo Prieto, was released in September, and it covers that subject, along with his personal experience growing up in his native country, in great detail.
Source: MSN
