内容摘要：“We found her next to her mom and little brothers inside a box,” Flores said. “We rescued them and gave up most of them for adoption, but we kept her and her mom.”

“We found her next to her mom and little brothers inside a box,” Flores said. “We rescued them and gave up most of them for adoption, but we kept her and her mom.”

Some casting directors told her she was “too tall” to play a Mexican woman. Others insinuated her features weren’t sufficiently “Indigenous.”“It wasn’t until later that I discovered what it means to recognize oneself as Afro,” said Castorela, who subsequently confirmed her African ancestry. “We are a diverse community which, perhaps due to discrimination, doesn’t identify as such.”

Director Paola Izquierdo, left, helps Mulato Teatro cast members harmonize their voices as they rehearse for their upcoming performance at the First International Afro-Scenic Festival, in Ticumán, Mexico, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)Director Paola Izquierdo, left, helps Mulato Teatro cast members harmonize their voices as they rehearse for their upcoming performance at the First International Afro-Scenic Festival, in Ticumán, Mexico, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)Her life changed after she joined Mulato Teatro, a theater company that empowers actors of African descent who are eager to forge a career despite racism. However, like most Afro Mexican activists, Castorela believes that nationwide recognition is still a long way off.

“If we look around, we’ll see curly hair, high cheekbones, full lips or dark skin,” the 33-year-old said. “But there’s a wound that prevents us from recognizing ourselves.”Unlike the United States, where there have been concerted efforts to boost awareness of the

in Mexico has received little support.

“The concept of mixed race denies the cultural diversity that defines us as Mexicans,” said María Elisa Velázquez, a researcher at the National School of Anthropology and History. “We are not only Indigenous, but also European, African and Asian.”“We haven’t had the highs and we haven’t had the lows. It’s just kind of been steady,”

. “I think that does put us in a good position. You know those games can be emotionally draining. We’re not drained. ... You know, we’ve got as good a chance as they do.”Florida wrapped up the East in five games over Carolina to get to its

. The Panthers won the first three games against Edmonton last year, then finished it off with aafter the Oilers forced a Game 7.