WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- The NAACP invited Mexican President Vicente Fox to speak at its annual convention after he made remarks some interpret as racist.
"There is no doubt that Mexicans, filled with dignity, willingness and ability to work are doing jobs that not even blacks want to do there in the United States," Fox told a business group in Mexico two weeks ago.
"We think there is a misunderstanding by Mr. Fox as to the types of jobs African-Americans are willing to do and an assumption on Mr. Fox's part that is not based in fact and is in part based on a stereotype," NAACP spokesman John White said in publicizing the invitation, the Washington Times reported Tuesday.
"Our major concern is that some people will see those comments as meaning that black people don't want to work and that is not true," he continued. "The work ethic does not belong to one race or ethnic group."
Fox has not yet accepted the NAACP invitation.
