Vicente Fox

I'd say some diversity training is in order.

Last Friday, while addressing a group of Texas businessmen meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexican President Vicente Fox said: "There's no doubt that Mexican men and women - full of dignity, willpower and a capacity for work - are doing the work that not even blacks want to do in the United States."

That statement might even make former Ku Klux Klansman Sen. Robert Byrd cringe.

Although Fox was under pressure to apologize for his comments, he repeatedly refused. In spite of firm criticism from the U.S., Fox showed his stubborn side and would not offer any regrets for what he said, claiming he was being misinterpreted.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called Fox's comments "a very insensitive and inappropriate way to phrase this. We would hope that they would clarify the remarks if they have a chance."

There was no backing down by the Mexican president until later on Monday, after phone calls with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

From AP:

"The president regretted any hurt feelings his statements may have caused," the Foreign Relations Department said in a press statement. "He expressed the great respect he and his administration has for the African-American community in the United States."

Jackson told Fox that he was sure the president had no racist intent, and suggested the two meet to discuss joint strategies between blacks and immigrant groups in the United States, Aguilar said.

Fox agreed to set up a visit to Mexico by Jackson, Sharpton and a group of American black leaders.

Despite Fox's latest comment, many Mexicans - stung by a new U.S. crackdown on illegal immigrants - didn't see the remark as offensive. Blackface comedy is still considered funny here and many people hand out nicknames based on skin color.

...The issue reflected Fox's growing frustration with U.S. immigration policy and deteriorating relations between the two nations.

The Mexican government was expected to send a diplomatic letter to the United States on Monday protesting recent measures that include requiring states to verify that people who apply for a driver's license are in the country legally, making it harder for migrants to gain amnesty, and overriding environmental laws to build a barrier along the California border with Mexico.

The measures have been widely criticized in Mexico, where residents increasingly see the United States as adopting anti-migrant policies.
__________________________________

It appears there is a cultural clash here. Apparently, the U.S. and Mexico have very different standards of what is considered racist and what constitutes unacceptable racially charged language.

It's hard to imagine Blackface comedy being performed to appreciative audiences just south of the border.

Jesse Jackson certainly cut Fox a lot of slack. Al Sharpton characterized his conversation with Fox as a "step in the right direction." He said, "If in fact what he expressed to me on the phone was so, then he needs to demonstrate that those statements, one, do not reflect how he feels; and two, he needs to formally apologize."

I assume Jackson and Sharpton are in a forgiving mood due to the obvious cultural differences that complicate this situation. They certainly wouldn't show such patience for an American president or any elected official making comments like Fox, unless that individual was a Democrat or a liberal with lots of money to pour into their coffers.

At least Fox finally agreed to back off from his offensive racial remarks. That much is good. However, the Mexican government's plan to send a diplomatic letter to the U.S., registering complaints about our "anti-migrant" policy, is not good. It's utterly ridiculous.

Illegal aliens are not citizens. If Mexicans wish to become Americans by legal means, nothing is stopping them. For Fox and his government to suggest that we are at fault for not allowing Mexicans to violate our immigration laws is completely backward.

The U.S. must secure its borders. It is vital to our homeland security and to protect the American people from the very real terrorist threat.

If Fox has a problem with that, maybe he should focus his energy on bettering Mexico's economy, instead of whining about the U.S. not doing enough for his people.