LAST WORD ON MEMIN - I THINK

I think that I've finally figured out how to get some semblance of a readership - take on some current, national or international events! I'm much better at prattling on about my own dull life, but I'll give it a shot!

Memin Pinguin. I've heard from a few people (more than two - less than a thousand) about the entry that I wrote about the celebrated Mexican character that has some folks in an uproar. First of all, let me say that I am not one for trying to force anyone to do anything. If the Mexican government wants to issue stamps with an image that a large group of people find very offensive, even somewhat painful, that is their right. One thing that I am learning during my years in this shell is that if someone wants to feel a certain way about something, nothing anyone can say can dissuade them if they don't want to be. That said, I want to make clear that I have no plans to go round and round on this subject.

From the comments that I've received, as well as a few other writings that I've seen from some natives of Mexico, they feel that the indignation on the part of some African-Americans is much ado about nothing. They seem to feel that it is simply a matter of cultural miscommunication. The official line seems to be - Memin is in no way seen by Mexicans as a pitiful or lesser human being. In fact, he is a character much adored by many who grew up reading his comics. He promotes peace and happy feelings - Understood. But understand-so did J.J. on "Good Times." American media is rife with lovable, black buffoons. Maybe Memin isn't seen by Mexicans as a buffoon, but understand that is what blacks in America see when we see that image. The lovable pickaninny. (see Buckwheat).

One responder, a Mexican-American woman, asked, "And if we are going to talk about the memin's features, I would then ask why aren't african-americans offended by let's say, the Fat Albert cartoon??" I think that this question points out the problem that the opposing sides are having seeing each others viewpoint. Fat Albert, though somewhat exaggerated, is not markedly different in appearance than African Americans that we all know, neither are any of his cohorts. Conversely, I don't know anyone who looks like Memin Pinguin or the many other caricatures designed to degrade black people in this country over the years. Which brings me, again, to my second point: Black Americans in America have a history of being belittled with characters who look very much like Memin. Combine that with slavery, Jim Crow, and institionalized racism; then maybe you can understand the response here, in America, to the beloved Memin.

The aforementioned respondent and the author of the article that I initially read, both made a point of saying that they are not offended by racist, stereotypical images purporting to depict Mexicans. Though Mexico hasn't exactly been spared in America's quest to be the biggest and baddest on the block, their people have not been the recipients of the psychological tactics used to try and convince African-Americans that they are innately inferior to the white man who subjugated them. Characters like Memin have been part of the effort to undermine any feelings of worthiness that some would be loathe to see black people develop. So, if you truly wouldn't be offended because you have a positive self-image as a people, please understand why it is not so easy for the ex-slaves in America to shake images like Memin Pinguin off.