- Joined
- Aug 30, 2009
- Messages
- 3,827
- Reaction score
- 1,374
- Gender
- Undisclosed
- Political Leaning
- Independent
This is an interesting case. It takes place in Belgium and concerns the old character Tintin. Apparently, some are offended by the book Tintin in the Congo and was written in the late 1920s. There's a good BBC video along with the article.
There's has been similar talk about Huckleberry Finn. I do believe it's been banned from some schools. What do you all think? I'm speaking of your general view of this issue, not specifically related to Belgium vs U.S. laws on free speech, but what how YOU think free speech should be applied in this type of scenario.
BBC News - Belgian bid to ban 'racist' Tintin in the Congo
There's has been similar talk about Huckleberry Finn. I do believe it's been banned from some schools. What do you all think? I'm speaking of your general view of this issue, not specifically related to Belgium vs U.S. laws on free speech, but what how YOU think free speech should be applied in this type of scenario.
BBC News - Belgian bid to ban 'racist' Tintin in the Congo
A Congolese man is trying to get a controversial Tintin book banned in the cartoon star's home country of Belgium.
The ginger sleuth's "little (black) helper" in Tintin in the Congo is seen as "stupid and without qualities", Bienvenu Mbutu is quoted as saying.
"It makes people think that blacks have not evolved," said Mr Mbutu, who lives in Belgium.
A court is to rule on whether the book can be sold in Belgium and, if so, whether it should carry a warning.
Although it was scheduled for Wednesday, the verdict has been delayed and is now expected on 5 May.
The book has already attracted much criticism for its crude racial stereotypes.
Three years ago, the UK's Commission for Racial Equality called for the book to be banned, saying it contained imagery and words of hideous racial prejudice.
A black woman is featured in the book bowing before Tintin and exclaiming: "White man very great. White mister is big juju man!"
Tintin
Written in the late 1920s, it was the second Tintin adventure created by Herge, who later said it was a youthful sin which reflected the prejudices of the time.