A Salvation Army store in Hamilton, New Zealand has removed “offensive” items that were on display in its storefront following complaints by passersby.
The offensive items in question include a 1951 issue of Ten Little N*gger Boys by Nora Case and an original issue of The Three Golliwogs by Enid Blyton. Both books hold historical value and were displayed to raise funds for the charity.
According to Stuff, the Salvation Army’s regional manager Nigel Waters says that they had no intention of offending anyone with the display.
“At no stage did we think it was going to cause offense,” he continued. “As soon as we knew, we withdrew both books from the window. They will no longer be sold.”
Both books were a part of a selection of collectibles up for sale, which included other first-issue books from famous authors.
It’s worth noting that neither offending publication held the same connotations at the time of their publication over half a century ago as they do now. However, by today’s standards, both books prominently feature words and content deeply offensive to modern readers, especially the so-called “N word”.
Speaking to Stuff, sociolinguist Dr. Nicola Daly called the books historical artifacts and said it’s understandable why people would take offense to them. She suggested that the books be hidden away in specialist collections at libraries instead.
A second-hand bookstore owner, Rachel Pope, weighed in to say that she had sympathy for the books and would stock them herself because the they can be “instructive” for modern readers to understand the past.
“On one hand, it may frighten you because the 50s were a different age, but on the other, it is instructive. It’s a different world and thank god we have moved on,” she said. “It’s good to learn about these things.”
Ian Miles Cheong is a journalist and outspoken media critic. You can reach him through social media at @stillgray on Twitter and on Facebook.