to feel uneasy about my son reading Enid Blyton books

[frances5]

My son wants me to read him a book called the "Wishing Chair", I have read two chapters of it and it has a pixie in it called "Chinky". To make it worst the drawing of "Chinky" shows an elf like creature with slitted eyes. However I think my son is totally and utter oblivous to this.

Admitally Enid Blyton lived 50 years ago when people didn't know better. But do you think I am making a mistake letting my son enjoy this book? He is even trying to read it himself that he is so desperate to know what happens next.

When my son chose this book I had no idea that it had a pixie in it called "Chinky" other wise I would have diverted him towards something like Ronald Dahl.

I will tell you why I think you're a problem, Quatt.

There are hundreds of thousands of ethnics in the UK at the moment, trying to make a life for themselves. Some succeed. Some don't.

Much like the rest of us.

When people start elevating them above their situation, giving them more rights than they might ordinarily expect, it makes many of them nervous. It can create resentment within the indiginous population, which is the last thing they need.

A case in point: my local Post Office opened a dedicated queue for Polish people last month. They were fast tracked for their benefits and payments at the expense of Old Age Pensioners and Disabled people who consequently had to form a longer queue.

This was as the result of a white, middle class Briton who thought they might need a little assistance.

Not unnaturally, the Poles were horrified, and gave up their places in the queue immediately, and especially to the old ladies and the disabled. They were mortified that someone had done that on their behalf.

This doesn't mirror the EB debate exactly, but it does prove a certain point about uber-sensitivity on the issues.

Britain is a meritocracy. That's why people want to come here, and that's why they don't need your bleeding heart on silly little words.

They can stick up for themselves. And if you think they can't, then who's the racist?

But you do know that Jackie Collins and Hello are both crap.

People suspend their critical faculties when it comes to children's books, especially when it comes to books they had when they were children.

Things have improved radically over the last 10 years however, and people/schools trying to make sure that children use their reading time to best effect.

You are making so many assumptions Desi and absolutely not one of them is valid.

To start with you seem to me to be confusing me with a manager in your local post office.

This caused you a grievance, which then you found some poles to agree with your grievance and you have extrapolated that to what?

To making it okay to use racist language? That's nonsense, really, and you know it.

And I'll take the back, Kimi.

Quattro - Mornington Crescent

[gurn]

Quattrocento who decide you were the person to decide which books are crap?

Oh TN, Am I pleased to see you! They think I am a manager in the local post office on this thread! I keep denying it but they are ABSOLUTELY convinced. I'm coming!

May I make myself clear, Quattro.

I don't use your idea of racist language. The reason I don't is because I've never liked to abbreviate anything. A Chinese is a Chinese, after all.

I said last night that thirty years ago, everybody went for a 'chinky.' It was a term that defined the cuisine. You immediately rounded on me and that that they did not. It then turns out that you're not in your forties ... so how the feck would you know what people said thirty years ago?

I would never confuse you for a Post Office Manager. That would make you a POM, which is an offensive term ....

Hi 2shoes. Well as I say, I am off. I am sorry if you feel offended. I said Jackie Collins and Hello were crap. I am not alone in this. Most people, even the people who read them, think they are crap. Objectively they are crap. I could tell you why but it would take several years and I would rather play Mornington Crescent. Better for you to work it out tbh.

at last she realises that people can make their own decisions.

crikey. what quattro said. in spades.

And I guess she just doesn't understand that Mornington Crescent was built by a load of late 19th century racist bastards.

Still, just so long as she enjoys the game.

Desiderata well said.
You know I like you, pass the ginger beer {is it still ok to say ginger beer or will some one call me homophobic?)

Again, NN.

You do surprise me.

I would pass it to you kimi, but Timmy wolfed it up

surely you shouldn't be feeding a dog ginger beer

Shame on you

Dear me, this thread has really kicked off!

Blimey...some people have fallen out of their pram havent they!!

I wasnt trying to argue really.

I like EB and so does ds and that is it really.

Whats morning cresent?

we have discussed the fact that chinky is a derogatory term for a chinese person and that the chinese are offended by this.

why am i not offended if i am called a pom and why is DH not offended if he is called an I-T (ie he is italian)

are some people over sensitive or........?

But are you a winging pom?

Oh, ladies (hello Bristol contingent). It looks bad, but it has context. I'm generally so laid back I'm horizontal, but a thread started last night which made me (and many others), very cross, and a certain poster came on this thread again tonight.

Any how, I do find excessive PC counter-productive. It makes me cross that certain people extrapolate from that that I'm a racist.

I shall revisit (and thanks for the cake) the meet-up thread in a minute. I'm favouring Ashton Court or Central Bristol, but let me know your thoughts.

Collision

How true.

Now can we discuss Perry Rhodan????

Haven't read all of thread because I skimmed it and it looks a bit barking in places, but in answer to OP, briefly:

Enid Blyton is a bit dodgy in places, racist, sexist, classist etc, but some children really love it and pre-Harry Potter she used to be seen by many teachers and librarians as an author that some kids who won't read anything else will read.

So whether I would encourage my children reading it would depend on the child and what their particular needs were.

Eg. if I am desperately trying to encourage my child to read I might give it a go. If the child isn't smart enough to see through the racism etc (and some children are - there was an article by Anne Fine about when her daughters got hold of Enid Blyton and were very sarcastic about the sexism in Famous Five) then I would be more circumspect.