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But Val, be like, uh, cool, you know? It's just BUSINESS as usual. So the thing is insulting, paternalistic, opportunistic, racist and completely exploitative. So what else is new? Big companies have to make big profits. Gotta keep those stockholders happy. Besides, it's OK to deal with third-worlders this way. No need to be moral about it; they're just like happy little animals for the amusement of Europeans and such. Just curvy, juicy beasts of burden. They deserve to be used.

Insert jaw-drop here.

-Anatasio

I agree with asombra's sarcasm.

I will add that it is truly sad to see those types of characterizations used to promote a free trip to a place where the locals have no freedoms.

That really was disgusting.....

Seems to me like the Spanish version of a minstrel show. This is blatant racism. Can we get Al Sharpton to protest this?

Sarcasm aside, I know that big business, in Spain or elsewhere, is in it for the profit, not for the good of mankind (unless that happens to be profitable). Advertising, Spanish or otherwise, is typically manipulative and deceptive, in keeping with the bottom line. However, there's such a thing as stepping over the line and going too far. This is too much.

By now, the Spanish simply cannot claim ignorance of the fact that Cuba is a seriously oppressive, rigidly totalitarian society NONE of them would want for themselves or their loved ones. Yet here they are totally ignoring that, as if it were a trivial matter, and simply serving up visions of mulata tits and ass to eager Spanish customers.

The message is clear: "Never mind that Cubans live in a horrible system under horrible conditions. That can be turned to our advantage. The poor natives are desperate enough to cater to the most repulsive, fat, oily old Spaniard, and the price is quite reasonable. Just look at that succulent mulata flesh, just waiting to be had! So come on down to Cuba, and have a good old time while the getting's still good!"

They took the video off their website. I still won't go to Spain on vacation or fly Iberia. They only took it off because of all the pressure put on them, but I am sure they still feel the same way. As a Cuban woman, I was very offended at this video and plan to do everything I can to boycott Spain and anything having to do with them.

So they yanked the video. OK. So where's the official apology? If anybody hears of one, please let us know. Where's the Don Imus-type outrage over these grotesque caricatures?Remember the flap over Mexican postage stamps depicting a fictional black character, with people like Jesse Jackson getting seriously bent out of shape? Where's Jesse and company on this "Mulata Mammies" video? We're all waiting.

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