The Economist is Accused of Racism

A cover image of The Economist was questioned by journalists and bloggers in the United States, reports Mediate.com. A graphic used for the cover story about Latin Americans in the USA featured an American flag constructed with chili peppers. Many internet readers found the analogy inappropriate and even racist, arguing that the chili pepper is a symbol associated with Mexico, not necessarily the rest of Latin America, and to lump the many diverse cultures into one identity is offensive.

Media Matters monitors and analyses information in the American media, blamed the magazine for promoting false stereotypes and ignoring the diversity of Latin America.

Please stop depicting Latinos as spicy. We're not spicy. You're just pissing us off. http://t.co/OXjyX7E5FB pic.twitter.com/etx8Gajtb5

— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) March 16, 2015

Is "The Economist" serious? This is their cover?? WOW. #Latinos #Latism pic.twitter.com/Vn2iyzszA8

— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) March 16, 2015

How many Latinos work at the Economist? pic.twitter.com/U5kL8mrVfk

— David V. Johnson (@contrarianp) March 16, 2015