In a story that's going to wind up at least one reader that I can think of, the Dutch pharmacist and retail chain Kruidvat has been forced to apologise, after it unwittingly sold a colour-by-numbers book that upset some customers.
The book was supposed to show 'famous people', and such significant historical figures as Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein and Abraham Lincoln.
The offence was caused because one of the famous people featured was 'Adolf Hitler', who was pictured making a Nazi salute, and wearing a Swastika armband. Of course the pharmacy chain said they "deeply regretted the incident" and that it was the printers in India who had made a "horrible mistake".
The horrible mistake only came to light when parents who bought the book began posting comments on the companies social media sites e.g. "Are there any more available," asked one poster, "I'm sure the AfD [the German right-wing party who made recent electoral gains] would like a few copies", while another one posted "Nice, your colouring book!", and yet another called it a "disgrace" on the company's Facebook page.
Now we have posted before on the dichotomy of the West's beliefs that while its history is the worlds history, but that cultural imperialism by the West is still wrong, being pitted against a developed or developing third world who barely recognise the existence of that history. In this latest example of this dilemma, the book in question was produced in India, and it apparently included Hitler because the Indian compiler knew he was 'famous', but for what, they apparently did not know.
This suspicion was apparently confirmed by the Belgian publisher Trifora's spokesman: "My suspicion is that the man who created the colouring book got a book of famous people out of the closet and selected a pair, which unfortunately included Adolf Hitler. Maybe he did not recognize him. It is a nasty combination of circumstances. We check the book on translations, but do not check all the colouring pictures".
However I and a few others believe that the West's obsession with Hitler not being seen is not healthy, and actually attracts adherents to him, simply because of the publicity raised every time the western media raises its collective skirts in horror at his image being used innocently, but perhaps inappropriately.
 |
| We Don't Do History By Numbers |
The book was supposed to show 'famous people', and such significant historical figures as Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein and Abraham Lincoln.
The offence was caused because one of the famous people featured was 'Adolf Hitler', who was pictured making a Nazi salute, and wearing a Swastika armband. Of course the pharmacy chain said they "deeply regretted the incident" and that it was the printers in India who had made a "horrible mistake".
The horrible mistake only came to light when parents who bought the book began posting comments on the companies social media sites e.g. "Are there any more available," asked one poster, "I'm sure the AfD [the German right-wing party who made recent electoral gains] would like a few copies", while another one posted "Nice, your colouring book!", and yet another called it a "disgrace" on the company's Facebook page.
Now we have posted before on the dichotomy of the West's beliefs that while its history is the worlds history, but that cultural imperialism by the West is still wrong, being pitted against a developed or developing third world who barely recognise the existence of that history. In this latest example of this dilemma, the book in question was produced in India, and it apparently included Hitler because the Indian compiler knew he was 'famous', but for what, they apparently did not know.
This suspicion was apparently confirmed by the Belgian publisher Trifora's spokesman: "My suspicion is that the man who created the colouring book got a book of famous people out of the closet and selected a pair, which unfortunately included Adolf Hitler. Maybe he did not recognize him. It is a nasty combination of circumstances. We check the book on translations, but do not check all the colouring pictures".
However I and a few others believe that the West's obsession with Hitler not being seen is not healthy, and actually attracts adherents to him, simply because of the publicity raised every time the western media raises its collective skirts in horror at his image being used innocently, but perhaps inappropriately.
For me, the only issue here is that the Pharmacy know what they're selling. I don't consider the Hitler drawing inappropriate, I mean he is a famous figure, and I can't think of an inappropriate subject except an unfamous figure. And what's this "offended" thing anyway? I must have been somewhere else when they were handing that out - I can disagree with someone's point of view and even feel frustration if it's really stupid, but I've never felt offended - is it really a thing?
ReplyDeletePerhaps 'Offended' was the incorrect term. Sorry if that offended you LOL ... Mayhap I should have used the word 'interested' in this case. what I meant was that you had shown great interest in this subject in the past. You might also be interested to also know that I discussed this subject separately with two gentlemen from India ... one Muslim and one Hindu (So not necessarily sharing the same educational experience - its often segregated by religion in India).
DeleteThey both said that the World War Two, Adolf Hitler, Churchill, the Japanese attempted invasion of India, The Holocaust etc etc was barely touched upon at school. The Hindu chap said it was covered in less than two lessons. History largely started with Gandi and 1948 in India. The Raj and the Muslim Mughal Empire Empire were also downplayed.
The Muslim said that they also were taught little on Europe or even Britain they did cover the Mughal Empire and Raj's destruction of it.
But both said that they had to learn about Hitler etc when they arrived in the UK ... Our history is not their history and they don't care that much about that. The world wars hardly impinged on India and other areas such as Africa and South America ... the cold war was more of interest to them as they were dragged into the politics of that.
We should stop expecting them to share our concerns on WWII's outcome.
Not expecting them to share our concerns on WWII is one thing, however if someone decides to use an image or a flag, I expect them to know what they're using otherwise don't use it. If someone uses an image or flag without understanding it they should take the consequences without complaint. It's like throwing a rock up in the air in a crowd and claiming ignorance when someone gets hurt.
DeleteI maintain that there is a reason for using such an image, it's not chosen in a vacuum and if it's worth using it's worth learning what it means.
Hmm .... I know what a rock is and I understand the consequences of throwing it. A picture of a anonymous man whom my education system has not bothered to tag as bad or good id hardly the same consideration as the known consequences of throwing the rock.
DeleteA debate we could hold forever and possibly will. Wait until next week and we can carry on from another level ....
Thanks for the comments as usual Vroomfondel