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New Book Shares Genízaro Slavery History in New Mexico

July 26, 2019 – Slavery was not just a practice in the American South. It was also extremely common in the Southwest United States, especially New Mexico. Native Americans were often captured and sold to Hispanic families, a practice that continued up to and beyond the Civil War. They were called genízaros. It is not a history most people learn in school and traditionally it has been a shameful association. But, more people are delving into their roots and embracing their genízaro heritage. NMIF correspondent Megan Kamerick sits down with two scholars at the University of New Mexico who have written a new book on the subject and explain what this history means for New Mexico’s identity.

Guests:

Enrique Lamdrid, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Spanish at UNM 

Moises Gonzales, Associate Professor in community and regional planning at the Indigenous Design and Planning Institute at UNM

For Further Reading:

Descendants Of Native American Slaves In New Mexico Emerge From Obscurity – NPR

Indian Slavery Once Thrived in New Mexico. Latinos Are Finding Family Ties to It. – New York Times 

Comanches and Genízaros in Taos – Lecture by Enrique Lamadrid 

Comanches and Genízaros in Taos – Lecture by Gregorio Gonzales 

The Other Slavery – Santa Fe New Mexican 

Genízaros and New Mexico’s Legacy of Slavery – KUNM