Mexico Reporter Fernando Camacho Servin Receives Award for Investigative Work on Racism Blanca Juarez - La Jornada
go to original August 30, 2014

Reporter Fernando Camacho Servín holding 2014 Gilberto Rincón Gallardo "Faces of Discrimination" Medal and Certificate for Best Article in Print Media. (Roberto García Ortiz)

La Jornada reporter Fernando Camacho Servin was awarded the 2014 Gilberto Rincón Gallardo National Prize in the category "Faces of Discrimination" for his article, "Unquestionable, Racism in Mexico."

The award, which this year celebrates its first decade, distinguishes journalistic work focused on raising awareness about the culture of non-discrimination. On this tenth occasion, awards were given in only seven categories, because [submissions in the category of political] cartoons were judged to be inconclusive.

Camacho Servín, winner in the category of article in print media, raised awareness of the racial exclusion that has existed in the country since the Colonial era. Following an investigation and consultation with specialists, he explained that Mexican racism is relative: "the same person may be discriminated against in one context, but privileged in another."

As part of his investigative reporting, Fernando decided to wear the traditional dress of the Huichol or Wixarika (one of Mexico's original peoples) in order to answer the question: "Are we Mexicans racist?"

In the article titled "Indigenous Huichol on Streets of Polanco Elicits Contempt, Ridicule and Fear", Fernando recounts how while he was quietly sitting on a park bench, a police officer approached him and improvised an interrogation: "And you, what are you doing here? How do you work? Where do you live? What state are you from? How many years did you study?"

The Human Rights Commission of the Federal District (CDHDF) and the National Council for Prevention of Discrimination (CONAPRED) awarded the prize.

See the original at Mexico Voices

Mexico Voices is a blogging endeavor aimed at raising the awareness of U.S. citizens regarding the destructive impact of the U.S. economic policy and the War on Drugs on Mexico — on its people, their economic and physical security and their human rights, on the nation’s dysfunctional justice system, and on the rule of law and Mexico’s fragile democracy. Visit the website at MexicoVoices.blogspot.mx.

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