[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19382]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   MEXICAN POSTAL SERVICE'S ISSUANCE OF THE ``MEMIN PINGUIN'' STAMPS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative 
Cleaver and the Congressional Black Caucus for bringing focus to this 
sensitive issue.
  The Mexican government's decision to release the ``Memin Pinguin'' 
stamp series has rekindled many memories of past racism in this Nation 
and abroad. I am outraged and disappointed that Mexico's President, 
Vicente Fox, has allowed such a negative racial depiction to circulate 
throughout Mexico.
  Growing up during the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, I saw 
firsthand the struggles of my parents and many others more famous, like 
Representative John Lewis of Georgia, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood 
Marshall, and many others that fought for the equal and fair treatment 
for all people, not just African-Americans. To publish a stamp that 
celebrates a stereotypical image of people with African ancestry is 
offensive to those who have fought and to those who are still fighting 
for the equal treatment of all people.
  The ``Memin Pinguin'' depicts a young boy with much exaggerated 
features including large lips and bulging eyes. These depictions have 
served as a source of distasteful comedy for far too many years. This 
Mexican stamp series does nothing but hinder the ongoing efforts to 
remove racial barriers worldwide. The ideology expressed in this stamp 
shows the world that it is okay to mimic and belittle people, which is 
something that I know this Congress and this country do not condone.
  Mr. Speaker, it is hard for me to explain to the constituents of 
Maryland's 7th District, which includes a growing South American 
population, as well as a sizeable African-American population, how the 
Mexican government justifies the distribution of such a derogatory 
stamp--that could possibly be mailed worldwide.
  Our own administration has stated that these racially insensitive 
stamps have no place in the modern world.
  Conversely, Mexico's President Vicente Fox has stated that he does 
not feel that the stamps express racial stereotypes and has ignored all 
calls to pull them from circulation. Additionally, he has stated there 
is absolutely nothing discriminatory about this stamp collection.
  In May 2005, President Fox said that, ``Mexican migrants in the U.S. 
did jobs even blacks don't want.'' President Fox's comment was a slap 
in the face to all American citizens who believe in justice and 
equality worldwide. Today, as we face the new world on terror, people 
of all races, nationalities and backgrounds are forming powerful 
political and economic coalitions. The comments and actions of 
President Fox do nothing to strengthen the bonds in these communities.
  Additionally, Mr. Speaker, many civic organizations are disturbed by 
the release of the ``Memin Pinguin'' series and the subsequent comments 
made by the Mexican government. The NAACP has called the stamps 
``injurious to black people who live in the United States and Mexico.'' 
The Mexican Negro Association, which represents some 50,000 blacks, 
said ``Memin Pinguin rewards, celebrates, typifies and cements the 
distorted, mocking, stereotypical and limited vision of black people in 
general.''
  These groups, in addition to various other civil rights groups have 
demanded, but to no avail, that President Fox apologize for his 
actions. I agree with these groups and support their efforts to not 
only have President Fox immediately cease the circulation and 
production of this stamp, but to also hold himself accountable for the 
inflammatory statements he has made against African-Americans.
  In response to the public outcry, the Mexican Ambassador to the 
United States Carlos de Loaza released a letter. In the letter 
Ambassador de Loaza writes, ``Mexico acknowledges and recognizes the 
relationship of mutual respect that it has with the African-American 
community, based on the struggle to protect our communities against 
discrimination and in the promotion of human rights and diversity.''
  While I appreciate the sentiments expressed in his letter, I believe 
that actions speak louder than words. If President Fox wants to show 
the level of respect that he has, for not only the African-American 
community, but for all people, I would request that he issue a formal 
apology and halt all sales and production of the ``Memin Pinguin'' 
stamps.
  The insensitivity embedded in the circulation of the ``Memin 
Pinguin'' stamps are a clear indication that we still have a long way 
to go in improving race relations globally. It is truly disheartening 
when a world leader possesses apparent racial and cultural 
insensitivity and lacks the humility to apologize when there is nothing 
to lose.
  The 750,000 stamps that were sold out after two days represent 
750,000 symbols of ignorance and bigotry. Since the civil rights era, 
we have worked hard on healing as a Nation--we must not revert to the 
hatred and injustice of the past. These stamps are a haunting memory of 
America's iniquity that we should never revisit.

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