U.S. Speaks Up on Mexico Stamp Controversy

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - The White House on Thursday objected to a postage stamp issued by the Mexican government, saying that "racial stereotypes are offensive no matter what their origin" and have no place in today's world.

The stamp depicts an exaggerated black cartoon 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.

U.S. activists have called on the Mexican government to withdraw the stamp.

White House press secretary Scott MClellan said it was "an internal issue for Mexico and the postal authorities that issued the stamp. With that said, I would like to make a couple of points. Racial stereotypes are offensive no matter what their origin. The Mexican government needs to take this into account. Images like these have no place in today's world."

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050630/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_mexico_stamp;_

[seemslikeadream]

1. Images like these have no place in today's world

OK Scotty :eyes:

[Moderator]

2. kick

[Up2Late]

3. Mexico, U.S. in new spat over 'racist' stamps (Reuters)

(What the hell is happening? Is the WH spreading this crap south?)

Mexico, U.S. in new spat over 'racist' stamps

Thu Jun 30, 2005 02:38 PM ET

By Catherine Bremer

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A set of new Mexican postage stamps featuring a black comic book figure with stereotypically thick lips and a flat nose has sparked off a fresh row with the United States where anti-racism activists want them banned. Coming on the heels of a tactless remark about blacks by Mexican President Vicente Fox, the images of the much-loved 1940s Mexican character Memin Pinguin have sparked fury in the United States.

But Mexico, which has few blacks and considers racism much less of an issue, is baffled at the U.S. reaction, and said the stamps were a harmless tribute to a popular Mexican cartoon. "I find it odd not to understand this celebration of popular Mexican culture and this tribute that the Mexican post office is making to Mexican cartoonists," presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar told reporters on Thursday. Yet the White House said the stamps, which civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson wants banned, had "no place in today's world."

"It is an internal issue for Mexico," spokesman Scott McClellan said. "With that said ... racial stereotypes are offensive no matter what their origin. The Mexican government needs to take this into account." "Our position is that there is no place for this kind of thing. It is wholly inappropriate and we've made that clear," White House national security advisor Stephen Hadley said.

The comments are bound to rile Mexico, which has already asked Washington to keep out of its affairs following frequent U.S. criticism in recent months of Mexico's failure to quash drugs gangs and organized crime along the border. The row is also mystifying ordinary Mexicans who affectionately call Caucasians "Whitey" in the street and often nickname darker-skinned Mexicans "Negro" or "Moreno" without causing upset.

<http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8944905&src=rss/topNews>
(More and page 2 at link above)

[ElectroPrincess]

4. You know, the message can be the same ...

and a much better result when you meet diplomatically behind closed doors. That's not the Neo-Con's way ... they only know the "bull in the China Shop" we're always right approach.

Damn, ok now we've pissed off both Italy and Mexico in the time span of one mere month.

Can't wait for the next boffo this incompetent Administration pulls next. Any guesses?