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Cleaver Outraged Over Mexican Stamps

By Delores Jones

Kansas City, MO – For the second time in the past few months, the Mexican government has angered many in the African American community. This time, the controversy is over a new set of stamps commemorating a 1940s comic book character. Memin Pinguin is a caricature of a black boy with exaggerated features. In the comic books, he's often ridiculed by white characters. Government officials say he is a beloved character in Mexico, and celebrating the cartoon is an act of racial tolerance. The stamp sold out soon after it went on sale two weeks ago, and it's already being re-sold at high prices.

Although the Mexican government has said they won't re-issue the stamp,
US Representative Emanuel Cleaver introduced a resolution in Congress this week condemning the stamps and asking for a recall of those already in circulation.

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