Speaking of sausages, and outrage, and women seen cooking sausages on tv, and outrage, and outrage, and outrage, the Oxford University Press has given one of its authors a friendly nudge to avoid writing the words “pig” or “pork” in a projected book.
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, presenter Jim Naughtie said: “I’ve got a letter here that was sent out by OUP to an author doing something for young people.
“Among the things prohibited in the text that was commissioned by OUP was the following: Pigs plus sausages, or anything else which could be perceived as pork.
“Now, if a respectable publisher, tied to an academic institution, is saying you’ve got to write a book in which you cannot mention pigs because some people might be offended, it’s just ludicrous. It is just a joke.”
Muslim Labour MP Khalid Mahmood said: “I absolutely agree. That’s absolute utter nonsense. And when people go too far, that brings the whole discussion into disrepute.”
No pigs in a children’s book. So the whole “Freddy” series is retroactively haram. So is Charlotte’s Web. So are the Porky Pig cartoons.
A spokesman for OUP said: “OUP’s commitment to its mission of academic and educational excellence is absolute.
“Our materials are sold in nearly 200 countries, and as such, and without compromising our commitment in any way, we encourage some authors of educational materials respectfully to consider cultural differences and sensitivities.”
Well you can’t do both of those things. Saying “without compromising our commitment in any way” doesn’t change that, in fact it just adds a layer of calculated bullshit. You are compromising your commitment to your mission of academic and educational excellence if you rule out mention of a familiar animal in children’s books because some religions long ago considered them Specially Dirty or some such crap.
Many Muslims also consider dogs Specially Dirty, you know. Should authors of children’s books stop mentioning dogs, too? Should everyone? No more dogs in stories and movies and tv? Everybody forget all about dogs from here on out?
Get a grip.