[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1464-E1465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE NEED FOR CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I come before this chamber to be heard 
on an issue of deep importance to US and Mexican relations. It is a 
concern that to many seems trivial but which in reality represents an 
important aspect of the cultural relationship and respect that exists 
between our two nations.
  I speak of the stamp intending to honor the comic strip Memin 
Pinguin. The decision to draw attention and promote this character that 
would be recognized by those in the international community as racist 
is an act of gross insensitivity on the part of the Mexican government. 
In this global day and age, the Mexican authorities should have been 
aware of the negative international impact of this characterization of 
the Negro race in grotesque imagery associated with the vilest forms of 
racism. They should have realized that the depiction of a childish 
apelike cartoon intended to draw attention to racial stereotypes would 
be seen as racist. They should have understood that the postage stamp 
would be seen as a reflection of the beliefs of Mexico and that to pay 
honor to a character that would signal tolerance with racism is 
disgraceful.
  While President Fox has defended this insulting portrayal as simply 
cultural differences, he must also understand the cultural message his 
government is sending to the rest of the world. Clearly, African-
Americans and other African and Afro-descendant populations would see 
the uplifting of a black cartoon character, with monkey-like lips and 
head and a childish demeanor, as an attempt to malign them. At a time 
when the world is becoming increasingly interdependent, President Fox's 
government has decided to insult an entire race of humans--a race that 
has long suffered discrimination, insult, and abuse. Rather than 
highlight for the international community and the Mexican people a rich 
heritage of understanding and harmony, the Mexican government has 
chosen a symbol of offense and smear.
  Yes, we should be aware of the cultural differences that exist 
between the people of our two countries, but that awareness requires 
efforts from both sides. In this Congress and past congresses, I and 
members of the Congressional Black Caucus have worked to erase the 
elements of racism that exist towards Mexicans, Hispanics, African-
Americans, and Blacks. We have reached out in the spirit of cooperation 
and harmony to our friends in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to 
fight against discrimination and discord between our people. We have 
pursued policies and positions that call on our leaders to decry 
stereotypical comments that appeal to our most basic emotions. We have 
united to condemn characterizations and caricatures intended to offend, 
defame, or marginalize our people, our race, and our community.

  In the last month alone, I have been joined by a number of my 
colleagues in supporting an resolution to draw attention to the 
challenges and struggles of Afro-descendant populations in Latin 
America and the Caribbean. We introduced this resolution because too 
often the international community and the governments of Latin America 
and the Caribbean ignore, marginalize, and dehumanize the descendants 
of the transatlantic slave trade. Throughout the region, Afro-
descendant populations have the lowest standards of living, the highest 
rates of illiteracy, the poorest standards of health care, the smallest 
per capita incomes, and the least amount of access to the political, 
social, and economic levers of power and opportunity.
  It was surprising to me that, the week after the House International 
Relations Committee favorably marked up this resolution to recognize 
and support Afro-Latino and Afro-Caribbean populations, the government 
of Mexico would issue a postal stamp honoring an

[[Page E1465]]

apelike depiction of Afro-Mexicans. It was deplorable that the Mexican 
government would produce stamps that would remind Americans--white and 
black--of the humiliation and degradation of Sambo and Aunt Jemima. It 
is insulting that President Fox would defend the publication of this 
stamp as an example of our cultural misunderstandings, despite the call 
of the Asociacion Mexico Negro--a Mexican-based group representing the 
interests of over 50,000 blacks--for the recall of the stamps.
  This is not simply an example of cultural differences. Afro-Mexicans 
deplore the comparison of being described as apelike and childlike, 
just as much as African-Americans. To say that it is acceptable to 
depict an entire race of people in one's country as childish apes is to 
not understand the universal impact and role of race in this world.
  At a time when members of Congress are trying to find amicable ways 
of bringing our two countries together, the actions of President Fox's 
government apparently are to draw a line between us. President Fox has 
ridiculed the hard work and efforts of African-Americans. He has 
rejected repeated invitations to dialogue with the National Association 
for the Advancement of Colored People. His government has issued stamps 
that not only insult the character of his own people, but also those of 
Afro-descendant populations in the United States. and throughout the 
Americas.
  I am disappointed in these acts by my friends in the Mexican 
government and by President Fox. I hope that they will reach out once 
again to those with whom they have worked here in the United States and 
put aside these insulting and racist stamps. For us to achieve greater 
cultural sensitivity on the part of the United States and to obtain 
greater racial sensitivity in the Americas, it is important to have an 
equal awareness and effort on the part of our international allies.

                          ____________________