I heard recently (TV4 news from Sweden) that Norwegian tv channel NRK had decided to edit some of the old texts of Astrid Lindgrens Pippi LÃ¥ngstrump (Pippi Longstocking) stories, the language used at the time of writing is seen to be politically incorrect for today. The phrase “negerkung” or ” nigger king” translated to english has been edited to just king. The decision to edit the word has started a debate in Sweden (home of Astrid Lindgren and author of Pippi LÃ¥ngstrump) about whether or not it should be removed in Sweden also, and it appears that many don’t want it removed. The same happened a few years ago about a type of Swedish chocolate cake called “Negerboll” translates to “Nigger Ball”, it was renamed “Cocosboll” to be more politically correct. Still there remains a debate about how stupid it is to change these names, people get all upset and say “we’ve always called them “negerboll” why should we change that. (Another link about racist words)
 I had a discussion at a coffee break at my last place of employment about how the Swedes use the word “neger”, they all assured me that it was not racist and that I was being ridiculous saying that I felt it was insulting and degrading. I challenged the leader of the verbal attack to stand up in the middle of the street and call anyone with black skin a nigger and see how long he would be standing. He said trying further to defend the “culture and heritage” of Sweden that “they call themselves nigger” I retorted and I call my Irish friends “paddy” or “mick” but if an English guy tried it he would be probably trying to insult me. Anyway I got nowhere in my argument being laughed down by some people who were uncomfortable with the subject, easier to make a joke about it than have to face the reality, I consoled myself with the words the ma once said to me “you can’t argue with fools”.
The use of racist words helps racism flourish, the fact is that words once seemingly harmless are harmfull today. Get modern and grow up Sweden. Editing these words out of texts won’t make the story any less readable unless of course it’s the Klu Klux Klan handbook.
Funny how times change
We had schoolbooks with “GollyWogs” in them 30 years ago, invariably black folks were savage cannibals who boild white explorers in large iron cauldrons
Now they’ve even taken the Golly off the jar of Robertsons marmalade and the strapline “By Golly ! it’s Robertsons”
The “Black & White Minstrels” used to be prime time family viewing but alas….. they too are no more
Now buy any gangsta rap CD and you’ll hear the N-word a thousand times
Hi Sean, thanks for the comment. The old stereotypes about Africans with spears and bones through their noses were created by Europeans and mostly out of fear and or ignorance.
We had a guy at school called “Golly” because of his curly hair, he was of course pale white like the rest of us at the time, there were few black skinned people in Ireland at the time apart from Phil Lynnott and Paul McGrath who were and are heros. I think that as you say times change and we have to change with them, and develop our way of thinking about the way we relate to each other.
Cheers Tim