Buzz
Regrettably, in today's world, the task of teaching children how to respect others has been largely assumed by the government. Political correctness has become pervasive in nearly every Western country, leading to books being removed from shelves in large numbers. Some of these titles return after being edited, while others have disappeared for the time being. Here’s a list of the top 10 books deemed politically incorrect.
10. Little House on the Prairie 1935, Laura Ingalls Wilder
This book is now considered problematic due to its portrayal of Native Americans (with the Osage being a significant part of the narrative). While Laura Ingalls Wilder provides an essential historical perspective on social attitudes through her writing, it has still been criticized. The story is based on memories from Wilder's own childhood in the Midwest during the late 1800s.
9. Huckleberry Finn1884, Mark Twain
Huckleberry Finn stands as perhaps the most frequently contested book in American literature. Efforts to adapt it for contemporary sensibilities continue to this day. Despite the Southern society it critiques being decades in the past when it was published, the novel stirred controversy upon release and has maintained its contentious reputation. In fact, CBS produced a TV version of Huck Finn that notably excluded black actors, omitted any mention of slavery, and removed the pivotal character Jim.
8. Kim1900, Rudyard Kipling
Kim tells the story of an Anglo-Irish boy journeying across India. Its portrayal of British colonial rule has led to it being seen as controversial by many. Rudyard Kipling, of course, is also renowned for his work, The Jungle Book.
7. Babar the Elephant1931, Jean de Brunhoff
Babar the Elephant is a beloved French character who first appeared in L’Histoire de Babar. Some critics argue that, despite its charm, the series promotes politically and morally problematic ideas, particularly by endorsing French colonialist ideals.
6. Noddy and Bigears1949, Enid Blyton
Noddy and Bigears, characters from Enid Blyton’s works, have recently been under scrutiny and even accused of homosexuality due to scenes where they share a bed. Although this accusation is unfounded, it has led to modern editions of the books removing these scenes, along with any reference to the mischievous golliwogs that reside in the woods.
5. Dr Dolittle1920, Hugh Lofting
The books have been criticized for racial insensitivity due to the use of derogatory language and portrayals of certain ethnic groups in both the text and illustrations. In the U.S., editions from the 1960s were modified, but the books were eventually withdrawn from print in the 1970s. In 1986, to celebrate Lofting’s centenary, new editions were released with rewritten or removed offensive passages (a process known as bowdlerization). Inappropriate illustrations were either removed or replaced with unpublished illustrations by Lofting.
4. Little Black Sambo1899, Helen Bannerman
Although this book centers around an Indian boy, the original European edition’s illustrations depict Sambo using racially stereotypical imagery, including dark skin, tightly curled hair, and bright red lips. The term “sambo” has long been used as a racial slur against black people. While the story itself doesn't contain racist themes, more recent versions of the book tell the same story but feature new illustrations that replace the original artwork.
3. The Three Golliwogs1946, Enid Blyton
The Three Golliwogs tells the story of three friendly golliwogs who stumble upon an abandoned house in the woods and decide to make it their home. The controversy surrounding this book (and many others by Blyton) arises from the fact that the Golliwog character is now considered racist. Golliwogs have historically been portrayed as both antagonists and protagonists.
2. Tintin au Congo1930, Hergé
Tintin in the Congo has faced criticism for its portrayal of racist and colonialist attitudes, as well as depictions of violence against animals. Hergé later claimed that he was simply reflecting the naive perspectives of the time. When the album was redrawn in 1946, Hergé removed several references to the Congo being a Belgian colony at that period.
1. Ten Little Niggers1860, Septimus Winner
It’s clear why this rhyme is now considered politically incorrect. It originally appeared in the adult novel Ten Little Niggers, which is now known as 'And Then There Were None' – Agatha Christie’s best-selling work. The rhyme was based on an earlier version by Septimus Winner, written for his minstrel show, which was originally titled 'Ten Little Injuns.'
