Tenoch Huerta has finally made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a re-imagination of the Marvel Comics’ character Namor. This version of the character and the civilization that he leads has been given ancient Mayan roots from Mexico. A lineage that is explained in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

In the same way that director Ryan Coogler with care introduced the world of Wakanda, he now introduces the underwater world of Talokan. Up to this point in both the DCEU and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Latin representation has definitely been lacking. Now the Latino community has a character they can be proud of.

But root for the film’s villain? Namor can be considered more of an anti-hero. Doing what he does for the benefit and protection of his people. His pain and reasoning for his mistrust of the surface world are easily understandable, especially by the Latin community.

In a recent press event that LRM Online was a part of Huerta talked about how he hopes his character can help those of Mexican descent be proud of their ancestry. Something that for a time was taught to be shameful.

“I hope this helped people to embrace who they are, who we are, you know? Look in, everybody, at the mirror and say, what is in the mirror is okay. They taught us to be ashamed of who we are. but it’s time to cut it off and say, yeah, this is who I am, and never had nothing wrong with me.” Said Huerta.

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Huerta goes on to talk about how Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an exciting film to be able to be a part of this movement where one can “change the glasses and reconcile with who we are”, stating that a lot of times we were the ones judging ourselves.

With a character like Namor that has been carefully refitted for this background, it finally puts the Mayan civilization in a powerful light. One that can rival those of ancient European and African nations. This is something that in the film is rarely portrayed.

Hopefully, this spotlight on the Mayan culture can spring other writers and directors to take a look at them. As well as the Aztecs and Incas further down south. So that the world can be enlightened by the wonders that these civilizations built.

Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now playing in theaters everywhere.