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WASHINGTON, May 13, 2005 -- Cong. Rangel Says System Exploits Black and Mexican Workers
Cong. Charles Rangel said today that Mexican President Vincente Fox was right to express regret for controversial statements regarding Mexican and Black workers.
"President Fox did the appropriate thing in expressing his regret for statements regarding employment of Black and Mexican workers. Many people in this country were hurt by his remarks and found them not only insensitive but insulting to African Americans and Mexicans," Cong. Rangel said.
The Mexican President was widely criticized in the U.S. last week when he said that Mexican immigrants take jobs in the U.S. that "not even Blacks want to do." He has since expressed regrets for his remarks.
"President Fox should understand just how offensive it is for anyone to make such broad generalizations about income and occupation status based on race," Cong. Rangel said. "It's a demeaning stereotype that seems to relegate Blacks and Mexicans to the worst jobs."
Congressman Rangel said the underlying issue was the need for immigration reform and equity for workers.
"The system is set up in such a way that the major benefit is to employers," Cong. Rangel said. "Mexican and Black workers are pitted against each other while both groups are being exploited. Real immigration reform would not only promote reunification of immigrant families, it would level the playing field for wages, working conditions and legal protections for all workers."
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