Germany ‘must do more’ to fight racism: Council of Europe

Should books with racist content be revised?

‘The Little Ghost’ (1966)

Thienemann publishing house also decided to review Preussler’s other classic books of German children literature, including “The Robber Hotzenplotz” books and “The Little Ghost” (made into a film in 2013). They reformulated for example the friendly ghost’s reaction when he turns black. Such revisions shock purists: Should books be changed? And where should the line be drawn?

Should books with racist content be revised?

‘Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver’ (1960)

Experts view Michael Ende’s popular children’s novel as an allegory against the Nazis’ ideology. During his lifetime, the author updated his book, turning references to China into a fictional country called Mandala. However, the latest version keeps the term “Neger,” used once to describe the black boy in the tale. The latest movie adaption of the work was recently released in cinemas (photo).

Should books with racist content be revised?

The ‘Pippi Longstocking’ series

The word “negro” was already removed or replaced from the English version of Astrid Lindgren’s popular books during the 1950s. The German version had been reworked in the 1990s; however, it kept the term with a footnote mentioning that it was outdated. In 2009, all references to Pippi’s dad as the “Negerkönig” (Negro King) were replaced with the “South Sea King.”

Should books with racist content be revised?

‘The Story of Doctor Dolittle’ (1920)

Hugh Lofting’s classic was reworked for its 1988 edition; instead of coming from the “Land of the White Men,” Doctor Dolittle is from the “Land of the Europeans.” Similarly, references to the King of Jolliginki avoid mentioning the color of his skin. Despite efforts to make race invisible, the colonial ideologies of the time are still reflected in the plot and the depictions of the characters.

Should books with racist content be revised?

‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ (1964)

In the original version of Roald Dahl’s book, the Oompa-Loompas — small humans working in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory — are described as African Pygmies. The author made them come from a fictional country called Loompaland in a revised version from 1973. In the 1971 film (photo), they were played by actors with dwarfism and depicted as surreal creatures with orange skin and green hair.

Should books with racist content be revised?

‘And Then There Were None’ (1939)

The original title of Agatha Christie’s masterpiece was “Ten Little Niggers,” based on the British blackface song that guides the plot of the mystery novel. The title of the US edition, released a month after the British one in 1939, used the last five words of the song instead. However, it has also had the problematic title “Ten Little Indians,” which refers to an American rhyming song.

Should books with racist content be revised?

‘Tintin in the Congo’ (1946)

Initially published as a serialized weekly in the 1930s, Belgian cartoonist Herge later produced a colored version of the work and revised one violent big-game hunting scene in 1976. The volume was strongly criticized for its racist content by the late 20th century. There have been attempts to ban the book; in English, it is sold with an extra explanation of the historical context.

Should books with racist content be revised?

‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ (1884)

Mark Twain’s iconic classic is viewed as an anti-racist satire. It is also among the first American works to use vernacular English — and coarse language. The word “nigger,” a common racial slur in the mid-19th-century, is used over 200 times in the book. One revised version from 2011 replaces the N-word with “slave.” Critics believe it is wrong to whitewash the historical context of such books.

Author: Elizabeth Grenier