Wal-Mart pulls 'Memin Pinguin'
News


Show Caption / SOURCE: KHOU-TV
Popular comic removed for allegations of racist undertones

Wednesday, July 09, 2008 at 10:51 a.m.


A popular comic book from Mexico has been pulled from Wal-Mart shelves in the United States.

The comic book series "Memin Pinguin" was being sold at some Wal-Mart stores.

But one African-American customer told KHOU-TV in Houston that she found the comic racist.

The popular Mexican comic features a dark-skinned Cuban character who is sometimes kicked and called names.

Houston area activist Quanell X said the problem with the book is more than just words.

"This is poking fun at the physical features of an entire people," the African-American activist said. "Making them look buffoonish (and) Portraying the young (black) Kid as stupid...."

Wal-Mart told KHOU-TV that they responded to the complaints by removing the controversial comic book from its shelves.

Many American activists and political figures have previously complained that character is racist.

The Mexican government protested the characterizations asserting that Americans simply do not understand Memin's cultural significance in Mexico.

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