| | |  Editorials | Issues | July 2008 
Wal-Mart Pulls Out Mexican Comic Over Racist Accusations
 Chris Georg - eFluxMedia
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Popular Mexican comic book "Memin Pinguin" was removed from the shelves of Wal-Mart stores following angry claims the main character features exaggerated black traits.
According to Reuters, Wal-Mart Stores Inc announced on Wednesday they decided to withdraw the latest issue of the comic, "Memin para presidente," due to complaints from its customers that they found it racist.
"We understand that Memin is a popular figure in Mexico," the company said in a statement. "However, given the sensitivity to the negative image Memin can portray to some, we felt that it was best to no longer carry the item in our stores. We apologize to those customers who may have been offended by the book's images."
The Memin Pinguin comic, which features a dark-skinned Cuban kid with bug eyes who is sometimes kicked and called names, was part of a series of Spanish-language titles carried in Wal-Mart stores. Many felt the character played to racist stereotypes.
"This is poking fun at the physical features of an entire people. Making them look buffoonish (and) portraying the young (black) kid as stupid," local activist Quanell X was quoted by CNN as saying. "Whenever they are beating him, they are referring to him as Negro. Even here when he is being punched, slapped (he is called) Negro. This is a disgrace."
Wal-Mart spokesman Lorenzo Lopez said the retailer has instructed stores to remove the books from shelves and discontinue sales.
"We received the customer complaint regarding the book, which we knew was based on a popular cartoon character in Mexico. We looked into it further, and we decided to no longer distribute the book and are in the process of removing the books from the stores."
Lopez said no other complaints were addressed except the comic, despite the wide array of products the stores provide for Hispanic customers |
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