Mexico’s Fox Says New Stamp Not Racist
MEXICO CITY — President Vicente Fox rejected calls to withdraw a new postage stamp that U.S. activists called racist, saying on Friday that critics don’t understand the beloved comic book character on which it was based.
The stamp featuring Memin Pinguin, a sort of Jim Crow-era vision of a black child, "is an image in a comic that I have known since infancy," Fox said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. "It is cherished here in Mexico."
During a 40-minute interview at his official residence, Los Pinos, an upbeat Fox used both English and Spanish as he ranged over topics including what he called a "war" on drug traffickers along the border, hopes for a U.S. immigration accord and Mexico’s housing boom.
Known for his informal manner and love of cowboy boots, Fox wore a dark suit, blue tie and standard shoes during the session in an office overlooking a garden with palm trees.
But as he prepared for Saturday’s celebration of the fifth anniversary of his election, which ended 71 years of single party rule, Fox found himself under fire again from U.S. black activists outraged by the postage stamp homage to the comic book character.
The stamps were released just weeks after Fox angered U.S. blacks by saying Mexican migrants take jobs in the United States that "not even blacks" want.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton and leaders of other black and Latino organizations on Thursday urged that the series of stamps be withdrawn.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan called it an example of racial stereotyping.
Fox refused to back down.
"Frankly, I don’t understand the reaction. Let’s hope they inform themselves … and later form an opinion," he said.
"The other minorities or the Afro-Americans or Latins, I would suggest to them that first, read the magazine, get the information and then express publicly their opinion," Fox said. "On our side, we know that all Mexicans love the character and we’re going to keep it where it is as a recognition."
The series of five stamps released Wednesday depicts a hapless boy 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.
By Friday afternoon, people were bidding more than $125 dollars on the Internet auction site eBay for the complete set of five stamps – each of which has a face value of 6.50 pesos, or about 60 cents. Hundreds lined up at the capital’s main post office to buy the stamps, and Mexicans snapped them up at such a rate that all 750,000 sold out.
Stamp collector Enrique Gutierrez, 41, waited 2 1/2 hours before he proudly came away with one sheet.
"It’s just a cartoon," he said, recommending Americans "not be so closed-minded."
Fox’s election in 2000 ended 71 years of rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party and was widely heralded as a new beginning for democracy in Mexico.
In Friday’s interview, he said democracy was "bearing fruit," highlighting the reform of Mexico’s home mortgage system and an explosion in housing construction.
While Fox’s government is the first in decades to avoid a major financial crisis, many Mexicans complain the government has not yet done enough to improve people’s lives.
Fox said he still hopes for a comprehensive accord with the United States and for orderly, lawful and humane migration. He also said he still hoped to win passage of a reform of Mexico’s outdated justice system before he leaves office in late 2006. The proposal is now stalled in Congress.
"For the first time we’re close to reaching an integrated solution" to migration, Fox said.
The president conceded that migration reform is largely in the hands of the U.S. Congress and President Bush, but said Mexico’s government was doing its best to spur job growth so that fewer migrants leave.
He said that federal troops and agents who were sent to several border cities in early June in response to a surge in gang-related violence will remain until there is "total order."
On June 8, the Nuevo Laredo police chief was gunned down within hours of taking office, prompting Fox to send in federal agents.
"They have declared war on us, and a war they will have," Fox said Friday.
Mexican authorities blame the violence on a war between rival drug gangs that has spilled over into the ranks of local police forces.
Fox said that he would propose stiffer criminal penalties for police officers caught cooperating with criminals and for drug dealers caught selling to children.
He also said that Mexico would not send troops to participate in U.N. peacekeeping missions during his administration. Congress recently discussed amending the Mexican Constitution to allow such missions.
