Blame it on the Mex Mex Mex Mex Mex-i-cans

Since the H1N1 (AKA swine flu) epidemic broke out –also known as gripe porcina in the Spanish language –I have been flooded with emails, text messages and tweets that poke fun at Mexicans and the “piggy pox.”


The idea of using a popular Jamie Foxx hip-hop song to convey the message that Mexicans brought influenza to the United States wasn’t a surprise.


Even I must admit that I found the messages funny at first, but then I took a deeper look at the meaning behind the lyrics and I was offended. The H1N1 blame game on Mexico has blurred the boundaries between a lack of cultural sensitivity and blatant racism.

This reminds me of the attacks of 9/11 and how people were scared to get on a plane with someone who looked Middle Eastern.


These social situations that segregate and ostracize a particular group of people play back on stereotypes. The media seem to feed off it, and now, with social media, are able to digitally spread the mass hysteria and cultural insensitivity.


There has been so much hype in the media about the H1N1 and Mexico that it has affected Mexico's tourism.


As a PR professional I am curious to know how Mexico will handle this crisis. What forms of communication or strategies will Mexico use to reach out to their residents and to their neighboring countries? The H1N1 has had damaging effects on Mexico and it will take some time for everyone to move on from this social epidemic.


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