Tell me if this makes sense to you. My daily dose of PW (Publisher’s Weekly) tells me that U.S. Borders stores will be stocking the latest reissue of the children’s book series created by Belgian writer and illustrator Herge, featuring interepid reporter Tintin (and his dog Snowy). This time the globe-hopping Tintin has landed himself in the Congo, complete with imperialist stereotypes and natives resembling monkeys.
Wikipedia describes the book thusly:
in the Congo is the most controversial of the Tintin albums. It has often been criticized as having racist and colonialist views, as well as several scenes of violence against animals. Hergé has later claimed that he was only portraying the naïve views of the time.
Naturally, a few of Borders’ patrons have objected to this title. The store’s answer: to shelve this version of Tintin in the graphic books section (which has a more adult demographic) rather than the children’s aisles. Presumably Borders thinks customers are more upset that children might view racist material than that the racist material is available at all. Just another example of store shelving working in mysterious ways, I suppose.
Dee, to tell you the truth, I’m most offended by the actions (or non-action) that Borders has displayed. It’s a direct slap in the face to Blacks to portray this type of literature with the stereotypical ideologics in color, to boot! And re-shelving it in the adult section with implication that it would be okay sans adolescent acceptance. Well, this is a good time for us to complain enmasse to let them know that it is NOT acceptable!
I grew up reading and still love Tin Tin books. They were in French and that’s how I learned the language. I don’t remember having read this particular book, though. From what I’ve seen recently, it definitely portrays naïve/colonialist views of the time.
Paz
Alvin,
I agree. Enough is enough.
All the best,
dee
Paz,
It was actually a TV show too (though in English) that my kids used to watch. You can bet they didn’t have any jungle bunnies running around in it, but there as a certain ignorance of other cultures that I didn’t like so that show got banned.
All the best,
Dee