They want to ban the story "Tintin in the Congo" as it is racist!!!!

XabbaRus · 07-12-07, 10:30 AM

Here is the link the story and also my e-mail to the CRE.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6294670.stm

Dear Sir/Madame
I have just read the article in that a spokeswoman for the CRE has called for Tintin in the Congo to be banned because it is racist. I am writing to protest as this to me is a case of political correctness gone mad. The book like many others are a sign of the period it was written in and has to be taken in that context. Since Tintin is most likely to be read by under 12s I really think they will just enjoy it as a good story. Having read the story around 20 years ago (I am 31) I did not come away thinking the natives were savages or develop a sense that I am superior as a white man, I just enjoyed it.

Having read interviews with the authors and read many many of the Tintin books I also do not think there was any racist intent either consciously or unconsciously. You may argue that in todays context it could be considered racist but as I mentioned above books need to be read in the context they written. I suppose we should ban Rudyard Kipling’s work due to the way he portrays Indians. I think there are many current cases of racial inequality taking place here and now that to worry about Tintin is a case of wasted resources. It is the same political correctness tha requires that I am called a “Draughtsperson” rather than a “Draughtsman” in case I upset our female draughtsman.

regards

Benedict Kent

Draughtsperson

The Avon Lady · 07-12-07, 10:45 AM

I miss the banned Warner Brothers Looney Tunes cartoons, which contained what I admit are sometimes (but not always) racist depictions of blacks, NA Indians and Aborigines.

In case you were about to ask, I don't miss them for their racism, if and where applicable. I miss them simply for their humor and insight into the times they were produced.

Konovalov · 07-12-07, 10:47 AM

Well written letter Xabb. I agree with you 100%.

Note to self: Check blood pressure.

Heibges · 07-12-07, 12:41 PM

The Cab Calloway Minnie the Moocher is banned as racist.

I always remember the old cartoons with Clark Gable and he is always portrayed as having huge ears. He's usually swimming and his ears are propelling him through the water.

In the 1930's and 1940's you would routinely see anti-Semetic headlines in the papers in the United States. William Hearst was very anti-Semitic so this is probably the reason.

The Munster · 07-12-07, 05:03 PM

Link disnae work but Tin Tin should be banned due to Racism .. Dam Belgians !
:rotfl:

EAF274 Johan · 07-13-07, 02:13 AM

LOL. And this is already the cleaned-up version of the comic. There are several instances where the author Hergé reworked some of his drawings and texts years later because they were considered "a bit inappropriate".

Tintin in Congo was written in the time when Congo was a Belgian colony, and it reflects the common attitudes of the time (which, it has to be said, weren't very fair to black people). But then, you see the same thing in other literature, movies and music of the period. No reason for a ban IMO, but it would be a good thing to add an editorial note explaining this.

And I disagree that it's mostly under 12s who read comics!

I miss Speedy Gonzalez

Reaves · 07-13-07, 03:14 AM

I have a differant opinion then you all.

I think we should burn all history books and just pretend it never happened.

That way we will never learn from our mistakes.

MWUHWARHWAR!!! MWUHHWARHUHAR!!!

(that is my evil laugh.)

Lord_Kitchener · 07-14-07, 08:37 PM

Oi....I get a kick outta watching a thin red line mowing down Fuzzy Wuzzy

..I must be a bleedin racist!

Chock · 07-14-07, 08:56 PM

Here, to balance things up, is a video which has a pop at Belgium, also watch out for the reference sending up books such as the aforementioned Tin Tin tome, at 2 mins 35 seconds:

Chock

Reece · 07-14-07, 09:40 PM

Yes this political correctness crap really gets to me, along with banning wolf whistles, a man hole now has to be called a person hole etc etc, another thing that annoys me is that you can't disipline your children, however if they get into trouble & vandalise something the parents have to pay!

what a load of crap!!

Stupid politicians!

07-12-07, 10:30 AM	#1
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	They want to ban the story "Tintin in the Congo" as it is racist!!!! Here is the link the story and also my e-mail to the CRE. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6294670.stm Dear Sir/Madame I have just read the article in that a spokeswoman for the CRE has called for Tintin in the Congo to be banned because it is racist. I am writing to protest as this to me is a case of political correctness gone mad. The book like many others are a sign of the period it was written in and has to be taken in that context. Since Tintin is most likely to be read by under 12s I really think they will just enjoy it as a good story. Having read the story around 20 years ago (I am 31) I did not come away thinking the natives were savages or develop a sense that I am superior as a white man, I just enjoyed it. Having read interviews with the authors and read many many of the Tintin books I also do not think there was any racist intent either consciously or unconsciously. You may argue that in todays context it could be considered racist but as I mentioned above books need to be read in the context they written. I suppose we should ban Rudyard Kipling’s work due to the way he portrays Indians. I think there are many current cases of racial inequality taking place here and now that to worry about Tintin is a case of wasted resources. It is the same political correctness tha requires that I am called a “Draughtsperson” rather than a “Draughtsman” in case I upset our female draughtsman. regards Benedict Kent Draughtsperson __________________

07-12-07, 10:45 AM	#2
The Avon Lady Über Mom Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jerusalem, Israel Posts: 6,147 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I miss the banned Warner Brothers Looney Tunes cartoons, which contained what I admit are sometimes (but not always) racist depictions of blacks, NA Indians and Aborigines. In case you were about to ask, I don't miss them for their racism, if and where applicable. I miss them simply for their humor and insight into the times they were produced. __________________ "Victory will come to us from the wombs of our women." - Houari Boumedienne, President of Algeria, Speech before the UN, 1974

07-12-07, 10:47 AM	#3
Konovalov Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: High Wycombe, Bucks, UK Posts: 2,811 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Well written letter Xabb. I agree with you 100%. Note to self: Check blood pressure. __________________ "In a Christian context, sexuality is traditionally seen as a consequence of the Fall, but for Muslims, it is an anticipation of paradise. So I can say, I think, that I was validly converted to Islam by a teenage French Jewish nudist." Sheikh Abdul-Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter)

07-12-07, 12:41 PM	#4
Heibges Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 1,633 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	The Cab Calloway Minnie the Moocher is banned as racist. I always remember the old cartoons with Clark Gable and he is always portrayed as having huge ears. He's usually swimming and his ears are propelling him through the water. In the 1930's and 1940's you would routinely see anti-Semetic headlines in the papers in the United States. William Hearst was very anti-Semitic so this is probably the reason. __________________ U.Kdt.Hdb B. I. 28) This possibility of using the hydrophone to help in detecting surface ships should, however, be restricted to those cases where the submarine is unavoidably compelled to stay below the surface. http://www.hackworth.com/

07-12-07, 05:03 PM	#5
The Munster Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Deepest Dumbria Posts: 1,243 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Link disnae work but Tin Tin should be banned due to Racism .. Dam Belgians ! :rotfl: __________________ *GWX Team Member; Retired* GWX Home Page

07-13-07, 02:13 AM	#6
EAF274 Johan Ensign Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gent, Belgium Posts: 228 Downloads: 94 Uploads: 0	LOL. And this is already the cleaned-up version of the comic. There are several instances where the author Hergé reworked some of his drawings and texts years later because they were considered "a bit inappropriate". Tintin in Congo was written in the time when Congo was a Belgian colony, and it reflects the common attitudes of the time (which, it has to be said, weren't very fair to black people). But then, you see the same thing in other literature, movies and music of the period. No reason for a ban IMO, but it would be a good thing to add an editorial note explaining this. And I disagree that it's mostly under 12s who read comics! I miss Speedy Gonzalez __________________ *Rock 'n' roll is the only religion that will never let you down*

07-13-07, 03:14 AM	#7
Reaves The Old Man Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,509 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	I have a differant opinion then you all. I think we should burn all history books and just pretend it never happened. That way we will never learn from our mistakes. MWUHWARHWAR!!! MWUHHWARHUHAR!!! (that is my evil laugh.) __________________

07-14-07, 08:37 PM	#8
Lord_Kitchener A-ganger Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 77 Downloads: 368 Uploads: 0	Oi....I get a kick outta watching a thin red line mowing down Fuzzy Wuzzy ..I must be a bleedin racist!

07-14-07, 08:56 PM	#9
Chock Sea Lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: Under a thermal layer in chilly Olde England Posts: 1,842 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Here, to balance things up, is a video which has a pop at Belgium, also watch out for the reference sending up books such as the aforementioned Tin Tin tome, at 2 mins 35 seconds: Chock __________________

07-14-07, 09:40 PM	#10
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,688 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Yes this political correctness crap really gets to me, along with banning wolf whistles, a man hole now has to be called a *person hole* etc etc, another thing that annoys me is that you can't disipline your children, however if they get into trouble & vandalise something the parents have to pay! what a load of crap!! Stupid politicians! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*