Spain’s Criticized for New Postage Stamps and Their Attempt to Highlight Racial Inequality

This week Correos España, postal service in Spain, issued a set of four stamps in different skin-colored tones, with the concept of “the darker the stamp, the lower the price.” The lightest color costs 1.60 euros ($1.95) and the darkest one costs 0.70 euros ($0.85). The postal service introduced these stamps as “Equality Stamps” on the anniversary of George Floyd. Correos España stated that the stamps “reflect an unfair and painful reality that shouldn’t be allowed” and that every letter sent with these stamps would “send a message against racial inequality.”

While the goal of this stamp campaign was to “shine a light on racial inequality and promote diversity, inclusion, and equal rights,” many critics are accusing the company of misreading the sentiment of Black people in Spain. Antumi Toasijé, a historian who heads the government’s Council for the Elimination of Racial or Ethnic Discrimination, tweeted “A campaign that outrages those it claims to defend is always a mistake.” Correos España said they will not be making a comment on this controversy.

Source: NPR