Black Seminole descendants celebrate Juneteenth in Mexico as a commemoration of self-liberation
Corina Torralba Harrington and her family observe Juneteenth in Nacimiento de los Negros, Mexico, where their Black Seminole ancestors, referred to as Negros Mascogos, liberated themselves prior to the Emancipation Proclamation. The event, known as El Baile de los Negros, emphasizes a historical narrative that Torralba, raised in Texas, was unaware of. Her cousin, 21-year-old Ashley Rodriguez, who identifies as Blaxican, links the social justice movement to her community. The legacy of the Black Seminoles encompasses escaping from plantations, participating in the Seminole Wars, and relocating to Mexico after their removal to Oklahoma. Currently, Torralba and Rodriguez are dedicated to preserving their heritage by renovating a classroom in Nacimiento to teach history and songs, including Spanish translations.
Key facts
- Corina Torralba Harrington celebrates Juneteenth in Nacimiento de los Negros, Mexico, not Texas.
- Her Black Seminole ancestors, Negros Mascogos, freed themselves before the Emancipation Proclamation.
- The local celebration is called El Baile de los Negros or El Día del Negro.
- Torralba never learned this history in Texas schools.
- Ashley Rodriguez, 21, identifies as Blaxican and says the George Floyd movement includes her.
- Black Seminoles escaped plantations to Spanish Florida, fought in Seminole Wars, were removed to Oklahoma.
- John Horse led a group from Oklahoma to Mexico, where slavery was abolished in 1829.
- Dina Rodriguez discovered her ancestor Pompey Factor was a Medal of Honor recipient.
- The Black Seminole language is a Gullah language that may die out.
- The family is refurbishing a classroom in Nacimiento to teach history and songs.
- Songs are being translated into Spanish for children.
Entities
Institutions
- NBC News
- Telemundo News
- Radar
- NBC Latino
Locations
- San Antonio
- Texas
- Nacimiento de los Negros
- Mexico
- United States
- Florida
- Oklahoma
- Brackettville
- Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery
- Fort Clark
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- Lubbock