Memin Pinguin is the main character in a comic book series of the same name that originated in Mexico during the 1940s.CNN.com: Mexican comic-book character called racist (July 9, 2008) He is a Mexican-Cuban boy who original author Yolanda Vargas Dulche based on her interactions with other children while growing up in Mexico City.
The physical characteristics of Memin Pinguin have caused controversy for perceived insensitivity toward the African-American culture; Wal-Mart pulled the title from its stores in July 2008 after a customer complaint.CNN.com: Mexican comic-book character called racist (July 9, 2008)
Controversy
In 2005, the government of Mexico came under fire for releasing a series of stamps that pictured the Memin Pinguin character. Some found the character to portray exaggerated racial characteristics of black people.MSNBC.com: U.S. Says Mexican Stamp is Racist (June 30, 2005) FOXNews.com: Outrage After Wal-Mart Sells Racist Mexican Comic Books (July 8, 2008) The character ignited controversy all over again in 2008 when Wal-Mart began selling the comic north of the border.
References
Fast Facts
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Created in the 1940s by author Yolanda Vargas Dulche
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Wal-Mart stopped selling the title after a Texan shopper complained of its racial insensitivityCNN.com: Mexican comic-book character called racist (July 9, 2008)
