I Saaaaaaaid...........JIM CROW, Where you been baby? Hangin out in ole Mehico?

Mexican stamp called offensive to blacks

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AP) -- The Mexican government has issued a postage stamp depicting an exaggerated black cartoon character known as Memin Pinguin, just weeks after remarks by President Vicente Fox angered U.S. blacks.

The series of five stamps released for general use Wednesday depicts a child character from a comic book started in the 1940s that is still published in Mexico.
The boy, hapless but lovable, is drawn with exaggerated features, thick lips and wide-open eyes. His appearance, speech and mannerisms are the subject of kidding by white characters in the comic book.

Activists said the stamp was offensive, though officials denied it.

"One would hope the Mexican government would be a little more careful and avoid continually opening wounds," said Sergio Penalosa, an activist in Mexico's small black community on the southern Pacific coast.

"But we've learned to expect anything from this government, just anything," Penalosa said. In May, Fox riled many by saying that Mexican migrants take jobs in the United States that "not even blacks" want.

Fox expressed regret for any offense the remarks may have caused, but insisted his comments had been misinterpreted.

Carlos Caballero, assistant marketing director for the Mexican Postal Service, said the stamps are not offensive, nor were they intended to be.

"This is a traditional character that reflects part of Mexico's culture," Caballero said. "His mischievous nature is part of that character."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/06/29/mexico.stamp.ap/index.html

Comic black stamp angers US

July 2, 2005
MEXICO CITY: A set of new Mexican postage stamps featuring a black comic book figure with thick lips and a flat nose has set off a fresh controversy with the US.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1268&storyid=3374119

I don't understand the big fuss.....or is this another diversionary tactic....something to distract us from the more tragic instances of racism occurring right here in amerikkka?

POT is calling the KETTLE black ?

White House Joins NAACP in Denouncing ‘Offensive’ Mexican Stamp
Date: Thursday, June 30, 2005By: Associated Press

AP) The White House on Thursday joined a growing chorus of officials objecting to a postage stamp issued Wednesday by the Mexican government, saying that "racial stereotypes are offensive no matter what their origin."

The stamp depicts a black comic book character known as Memin Pinguin, drawn with exaggerated features, thick lips and wide-open eyes. His appearance, speech and mannerisms are the subject of kidding by white characters in the comic book, which started in the 1940s and is still published in Mexico.

U.S. activists have urged the Mexican government to withdraw the stamp, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who branded the stamp "an insult."

Wednesday afternoon, Dennis Courtland Hayes, NAACP interim president and CEO, said the decision by the Mexican government to issue the stamp "is injurious to black people who live in the United States and in Mexico." Hayes called on the Mexican government to immediately cease its printing and distribution.

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/stamp701

Is this the same administration that wouldn't meet with the NAACP during presidential campaigning???