After the controversy generated by the mezcal called Mixes promoted by journalist Paola Rojas and after Oaxaca announced an investigation, this Tuesday, October 29, Governor Salomón Jara Cruz announced that he will ask the authorities to remove the brand from the market because it is an improper cultural appropriation not only of a cultural element, but of the name of an entire indigenous people.
“It is rude for Paola (Rojas) to say ‘Paola Rojas’ Mixes mezcal,’ it is rude, she doesn’t even know, using these elements is an insult as our brothers from the Mixe region say, that is why we support them, and we are going to ask that this brand be cancelled,” warned the Morena leader at his press conference.
For their part, municipal presidents of the Mixe region, located in the mountains of the state, said during the governor’s conference that they are not bothered by the fact that their culture is promoted, as long as the businessmen really approach them; However, in this case it was only a cultural appropriation that implies an impact on its producers, since mezcal is one of the original drinks of their people.
It is important to mention that on Tuesday afternoon, the Mexican communicator spoke out on social media in response to the controversy and in a video clarified that Mixes mezcal is the property of a brand of Oaxacan producers (Industrias Mayahuel) who asked her for support to promote the drink; in addition, she assured that the brand is not registered in her name.
In response to these statements, the municipal presidents of the Mixe region assured that the apology of the former host of Netas Divinas is not enough, but that it must also be guaranteed that improper cultural appropriation will not be committed again, because their culture is profiting from:
“In the Mixe region, mezcal is made and it is an offense to our producers (….) As representatives of the people, we do not agree. Our hereditary elements are being prostituted, it is not just a name, it is our way of life and daily life, we are interested in this situation being thoroughly investigated so that it does not happen again,” warned Mixe People authorities in a press conference.
They will ask for support so that the name belongs to the Mixe people
The governor of Oaxaca reiterated that he asked the Legal Counsel of the state to investigate the case and, if necessary, to take legal action against the brand that originally belonged to the former local deputy of the National Action Party (PAN), Martha Patricia Campos Orozco. In addition to asking that the brand be cancelled, compensation for the grievance against the Mixe people will be requested.
Given this situation, a dialogue table will also be sought with federal legislators “so that the law provides that in the registration of any brand, whether it is the name of a product, mezcal or textile, the name of a community, region or culture is prohibited without the authorization, permission or consent of the people, because names cannot be used for a fundamentally economic or business interest, and the community does not benefit from it,” said the governor of Oaxaca.
The above would seek to ensure that these material or immaterial properties of the native peoples cannot be used before the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI); in addition, it is worth remembering that the recently approved Constitutional Reform on the Rights of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Peoples establishes that indigenous communities and native peoples are subjects of law and no longer just of public interest.
The Constitution thus establishes that they have legal personality and their own assets, and may exercise their rights on their own, make decisions in their assemblies or community bodies, appoint their authorities, receive and manage public resources, and may defend their collective rights before judicial bodies and other authorities.
Source: infobae
