POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

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A story based on The Three Little Pigs has been rejected by a Government-backed annual awards event because the subject matter could offend Muslims. The digital book, retelling the classic fairytale by depicting pigs as builders, was criticised by a judging panel who claimed "the use of pigs raises cultural issues". They refused to shortlist the product which has already won awards and even claimed that The Three Little Cowboy Builders might also "alienate parts of the workforce (building trade)".

Newcastle-based publishers, Shoo Fly, submitted The Three Little Cowboy Builders, which had already been a prize winner at the recent Education Resource Award ceremony. But the panel turned down the "virtual" pop-up book which is designed to be used on computers and interactive whiteboards. In their feedback to the company, judges claimed they had "concerns about the Asian community" and insisted "the use of pigs raises cultural issues".

As a result, they "could not recommend this product to the Muslim community". The judges also criticised so-called stereotyping in the story of the pigs, claiming, "Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work blown down, and builders are like pigs?" Nick Seaton, of the Campaign for Real Education said, "I would hope the judging panel actually took the trouble to ask some Muslims before they even considered rejecting it. I wouldn't have thought Muslims would be offended by it." (Source: Daily Mail, Jan/08)

Parents were banned from taking a picture of their own daughter enjoying her first ever ride on a swing because a park warden said it was illegal to photograph children. Steve Brook and partner Mandy were about to snap 11-month-old Rebecca's first ride on a swing at Alexandra Park in Oldham when the council worker told them to stop taking pictures.

Mr Brook said, "The fact that a mummy and daddy can't take a picture of their own daughter is ridiculous." Local MP Phil Woolas added, "Based on these reports I am thinking of introducing a Bill to Parliament called The Common Sense Act 2007. We are in danger of becoming so adverse to risk that we will lose sight of common sense."

A council spokesman said, "We are committed to ensuring that all our parks are safe and welcoming places for all visitors. To ensure this happens staff are instructed to be observant and aware of the activities of park users and consider whether they are appropriate. This incident was due to the incorrect interpretation of policy by a member of our security staff who has since been made aware of his actions."

A previous attempt to ban photographs of children in public was made by members of Vale of Glamorgan council, South Wales. The council proposed "that no photographs, filming or other imaging shall take place of children or young people in parks and open spaces without written permission." Councillors later threw out the proposal, saying it would be too difficult to enforce and that parents should not need permission for pictures of family picnics. (Source: Daily Mail, Dec/07)

PCSO Steve, a uniformed mascot complete with over-sized head and equipment, was created by the Metropolitan Police for visits to primary schools. But one of the force's sergeants slammed the character for failing to represent the capital's communities. He said the figure, which is white with blue eyes and blond hair, risks leaving Asian and women officers "isolated". Now senior officers said they will invest £15,000 in the design and production of three new characters. The new costumes include a woman PCSO, named Sunita, and a man and a woman police constable.

The £15,000 bill includes £600 in design costs and £14,400 for the creation of four suits for each of the three characters. The original costume was based on real-life Sutton borough police community support officer Stephen King. Paid for by a £1,000 sponsorship deal with a local plumbing firm, the character proved a huge hit at schools and other public events. But it attracted criticism from one sergeant who claimed an Asian colleague could not wear the costume at an event because it has a short-sleeved shirt. (Source: Daily Mail, Nov/07)

Irishman Denis Lusby, who runs the village shop in St Breward, near Bodmin, Cornwall, has spent 11 years building up his parish magazine from a flysheet to a 56-page monthly. His 30p publication, which sells about 500 copies, includes information on local events. Schools in villages on the edge of Bodmin Moor also use the Blisland with Temple, Helland and St Breward Community Magazine to tell locals of their news. But after reading the May issue, Cornwall County Council's equality and diversity boss complained that the use of the names Murphy and Paddy in jokes in the magazine was racist and ridiculed the Irish traveller communities with whom she works.

Ginny Harrison-White then wrote to schools asking whether it was appropriate to have their news printed alongside 'such derogatory material', claiming that the jokes may have an impact on the attitudes of the children. She called for headmasters to boycott the magazine. Mrs Harrison-White, who lives in the nearby village of Blisland, said that she sent the letters to the schools as a 'concerned local resident' rather than in her capacity as a council worker. Further proof that the lunatics really are running the asylum. Britain is indeed dead in the water! (Source: Mail on Sunday, Sep/07)

Youngsters celebrating the 100th birthday of the scouting movement have been banned from eating burgers and bangers because they might offend youngsters of other religions. And the scouts have been banned from having campfires and instead have to sit round a potplant because of safety fears. The traditional camping food made way way for vegetarian dishes a hundred years after Scout founder Lord Baden-Powell took his first group of 20 boys to the great outdoors.

Clare Haines, spokesman for The Scout Association, said, "It was really to do with religion that we were not able to provide sausages and burgers and all that kind of food. We have been very careful though to make sure food is provided to everybody's tastes and beliefs, so no one feels left out." But surely the ones who like burgers and bangers must have felt left out. Oh, but they don't count do they?

More than 40,000 youngsters from 162 countries at the same time gathered at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, for a two-week World Jamboree. Scouts at this jamboree, however, were allowed to tuck into meat as Halal and Kosher meat was on offer. Oh, so it's alright to cater for some people but not others. And I suppose the people who make these decisions have no idea they're actually fuelling resentment. (Source: Daily Mail, Aug/07)

Buddhist businessman Eddie Fung wants to call his £1.3million Chinese restaurant Fat Buddha but Tracey Ingle, Durham City Council's head of cultural services, demanded he change the name because it was 'provocative'. Mr Fung said, "I cannot believe that this woman should go to so much time and trouble to take issue over an inoffensive name like Fat Buddha. No Buddhist is going to be offended by this. The fat Buddha is a symbol of health and happiness."

A spokesman for the Buddhist Society said, "Buddhists regard the fat Buddha as lucky. To suggest this is offensive is to misunderstand the faith. Buddhists don't take offence at anything because to do so doesn't follow Buddhist teachings." Mr Fung said that his company, Utopian Leisure, had received no complaints about the use of the name Fat Buddha at his first restaurant, which opened in Belfast earlier this year.

In a letter to Mr Fung, Miss Ingle wrote, "To use the name of a major religion's deity in your restaurant brand runs contrary to this city's reputation as a place of equality and respect for others' views and religious beliefs. The generic descriptive adjective of "fat" is not in itself a derogatory term when applied generally. The name implies an Eastern offer as it is associated with a religion that grew from Asian countries. It does not, however, offer vegetarian cuisine solely nor does it refer to Buddhist belief systems. The name is provocative."

Durham City Council defended her position, saying, "The department felt the name was inappropriate in a city founded on faith. We don't want to offend anyone because of the different faiths that come to the city. The council operates a strict non-discriminatory equal-opportunities and diversity policy across the board. I stand by the letter, which asked the restaurant owners to rename the place. That is where we are now. We have taken every reasonable step and I have contacted the company director and set out my concerns. The restaurant is in a very prominent position and it does have an impact on the reputation of the city. I have expressed a view as head of cultural services in dealing with the culture of the city." (Source: Daily Mail, Jul/07)

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