In 2005, Mexico planned an issue of 5 stamps in a strip, titled “La caricatura en México”, featuring the mexican comic-strip figure “Memín Pinguín”. The char-acter was invented in 1943. The announcement of the figure to be represented on stamps stirred public attention beyond Mexico.

The consequence was massive criticism on the planned issue due to the fact, that the black color skin and the “ape-like” physiognomy of the figure was deemed to serve racist stereo-types.

Even the White House in Washington issued a statement. The demand to abandon the issuing of the stamps was nevertheless not granted, and the stamps were issued as planned. Due to the public discussion and attention were all 750000 copies sold within 2 days.