Bid to ban 'racist' Tintin book

[almaty 19]

Tintin was created by Belgian writer and illustrator Herge

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is calling on high street books to pull a Tintin adventure from its shelves over claims it is racist.

Complaints about Tintin in the Congo have led to Borders and Waterstones moving it to their adult section.

A spokeswoman said the book contained "words of hideous racial prejudice, where the 'savage natives' look like monkeys and talk like imbeciles".

Borders said they are committed to let their "customers make the choice".

'Racist claptrap'

The store's spokesman added: "Naturally, some of the thousands of books and music selections we carry could be considered controversial or objectionable depending on individual political views, tastes and interests."

A Waterstones spokesman said: "We have reviewed the title's situation and are moving it away from the other Tintin titles into the graphic novel section."

The CRE spokewoman said: "How and why do Borders think that it's okay to peddle such racist material?"

"The only place that it might be acceptable for this to be displayed would be in a museum, with a big sign saying 'old-fashioned, racist claptrap.'

"It's high time that they reconsidered their decision and removed this from their shelves," she added.

The book's publishers Egmont said the book comes with a warning that it features "bourgeois, paternalistic stereotypes of the period - an interpretation some readers may find offensive".

The Tintin adventures were written by Belgian author Herge - real name Georges Prosper Remi - from 1929 until his death in 1983.

He continued to revise his books after their publication, and admitted embarrassment over some of the views they expressed.

A scene in Tintin in the Congo in which the eponymous hero gave a geography lesson to Africans about Belgium was later changed to a maths class.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Unfortunately, such actions could lead to ban on much classical literature (as well as old comics like Tintin).

[trueimage 0]

"bourgeois, paternalistic stereotypes of the period -"

I am not familiar with this book, but this statement stood out out to me when reading this. There are alot of 'classics' that hold racist views that are actually excellent books. Written in a time when those racist views were the norm, I don't think it's a big deal. That's just the way it was. To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Sawyer, even East of Eden....they are all good books which have questionable material.........for the 21st century. Yet they were all written in a different time. Even as an historical novel. How can you take yourself back in time and understand the book if the facts are not there?

Edited July 13, 2007 by vismaster

[Emancipation 2]

I read Tintin as a child.. loved it.. it was classic...

Sure there's probably stuff in all those classics that by today's standards would be "politically uncorrect".. but isn't it good to know where we've come from? And to learn from our history? You can't re-write history and literature.

[almaty 19]

I agree with all of you..allot of mark twain....and other books would need to be pulled...movies etc...so, where would it stop? censorship is wrong

Edited July 13, 2007 by almaty

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It does seem rather ridiculous, and its rather "1984-ish" to revise original texts to keep up with the prevailing views of the times.

[Emancipation 2]

I believe that the United Church of Canada revised their hymnbooks to take out the "military" references - "Onward Christian Soldiers" etc. as well as changed amazing grace "saved a wretch like me"..

Why not just not USE the stuff if you don't agree with it.. there's a novel idea!