Mexican comic book sold at Wal-Mart called ‘racist’
Posted on 08. Jul, 2008 by Rob Chapman in Rob Chapman
Beloved by Mexicans for his dim wits, street smarts and playful disposition, long-running comic book character Memín Pinguín — a little black boy whose face resembles a monkey — is at it again.
His zany adventures chronicled in a hugely popular book series for decades are up for sale at your neighborhood Wal-Mart store in the Libros en Español section, right next to the store’s cadre of African-American books.
The latest issue: Memín para presidente.
By Shawnedria McGinty’s American standards, the image was shocking. The African-American woman who was shopping at the store on South Post Oak over the weekend immediately asked a store manager to remove the books from the shelves. A manager told her he would comply.
“I said, wait a minute: Is this a monkey or a little black boy?” said McGinty, 34, of Meyerland. “I was so upset. This is 2008.”
But as of Monday afternoon, the books were still on the shelves at many Houston stores, prompting community activist Quanell X to demand that Wal-Mart apologize for selling the racially charged books.
“Even Hispanics of conscious minds sense this is racist and that to sell this is totally unacceptable,” said Quanell X, who spoke in front of the Wal-Mart on South Post Oak and demanded officials issue an apology. “It is a disgrace — it’s an insult to all African-Americans.”
Quanell X, who was contacted by McGinty, requested a meeting with regional Wal-Mart officials.
A Wal-Mart spokesman said the books were removed late Monday at the Meyerland location, but would not say if the comic books would be pulled at other Houston locations. A Houston Chronicle reporter bought three Memín comic books for $7.44 each at another Wal-Mart on Dunvale.
“We will be evaluating the best course of action,” said Phillip Keene, a company spokesman.
Memín is no stranger to controversy. In 2005, the Mexican postal service released a series of new stamps commemorating the comic book character, who debuted in the 1940s. The stamps sold out quickly, but the debate endured and swirled between the U.S. White House and the Mexican White House.
To some in America, Memín’s stereotypical image of exaggerated lips and ape-like characteristics represents a racist period in the nation’s history when black-face characters were popular.
The stamps were deemed offensive by President Bush and a number of American leaders, including civil rights icon Jesse Jackson. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said he didn’t understand what all the fuss was about and insisted that Memín’s image was not racist, but a beloved character embraced by all Mexicans.
“When you read the stories, he’s always the hero — he saves the day,” said Raul Ramos, professor of Mexican-American history at the University of Houston, who added that the racial dynamics in Mexico — where stereotypical “Sambo” characters do not exist — are far more complex than in the U.S. “He’s kind of the Charlie Chaplin figure, the rascal who is able to overcome the difficult situations. So he’s a very populist character in that way.”
Omar G., 45, who was shopping at the Meyerland Wal-Mart with his four American-born children, said he did not want his children to read it.
“I grew up reading the comic book as a kid in Mexico, but for here, it is offensive for some people,” said Omar, who did not want his last name published. “To see it here in Wal-Mart, I am surprised.”
I don’t see a problem here. I see Africans on the streets everyday in my town who look just like this, or a lot worse. I can’t believe the hideous facial characteristics of some of these Congo boons.
If Negroes in the U.S. don’t like little Memín Pinguín, then that’s tooth titty! I’m sure the Mexicans don’t like Negroes themselves.
I have had with blacks being called monkeys! Look at any monkey, they are cute and do little human tricks. Some of them even have jobs, nothing like niggers. Stop abusing the monkey!
I agree with Whit Pariah! I’ve seen Chimps with more intelligence than some of these mudfaced bastards
if it offends them, they shouldnt look at it. How many people wanna bet that theres jigs out there that bought this thing in hopes that someday it will be worth a ton of money?
That monkey looks alot like Kwanell X.
looks like I’ll be shopping at walmart tomorrow.
Interesting how this nigger lady instantly identified the monkey as a nigger. Perhaps the reason Walmart didn’t find it rascist is they actually thought it was a monkey.
“Memín Pinguín is a fictional character from Mexico. Stories featuring him, a very poor Cuban-Mexican boy, first appeared in the 1940s and have remained in print since.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mem%C3%ADn_Pingu%C3%ADn
Memin Pinguin is not African/Black, he’s Cuban-Mexican!
Get over it, Negroes!!!!!!!
You are so racist! Just another excuse to show your true colors; BLACK!
Just who the fuck is this quanell x asshat?
A monkey has been sent to into space, a nigger can’t raise his kids.
I need to get that comic book.