Mexico Denies Stamps Are Racist

Black Comic Book Character Resembles Racial Stereotype

(CBS/AP)  It also said the comic "complies perfectly" with efforts "to promote values and national culture," adding that Memin Pinguin is "a nice, little motor-mouth who, thanks to his good humor and particular way of seeing the world, wins the hearts" of the comic's other characters.

Emoe de la Parra, daughter of Memin Pinguin creator Yolanda Vargas, said the idea for the character came during a visit to Cuba, when her mother became enchanted with the island's black youngsters.

"I'm very surprised that it has raised concerns, that it has bothered people and that it even has political relevance in negative terms," de la Parra told a Mexico City's W Radio, adding that "frankly, I think that's very wrong."

"I think that he is a person full of moral qualities and that his existence can't be offensive to anyone," de la Parra said.

Munoz said Mexicans tend to dismiss charges of racism as overreaction on the part of people in the United States — but only because of ignorance about the role African cultural played in the formation of modern Mexico.

"People don't understand and don't realize the consequences of the postage stamp," he said. "It's no big deal to them, it's just a cartoon character. But to me the stamp means ... that racism is alive and well in Mexico."