Posted on 08/01/2025 2:46:30 PM PDT by DallasBiff
The Brooklyn Public Library in New York has removed an image of the Moomin character Stinky, known in Finnish as Haisuli, from a Tove Jansson exhibition after a donor found the character potentially racist.
The exhibition, titled Tove Jansson and the Moomins: The Door Is Always Open, is the first major showcase of Jansson’s work in the United States. It presents her legacy as a writer, illustrator, pacifist and queer artist, alongside illustrations, archival materials and immersive events. It will remain open until 30 September.
Roleff Kråkström, CEO of Moomin Characters, which oversees the use and licensing of the Moomin brand, confirmed that Stinky was removed at the library’s request.
“The library informed us that one of their patrons had interpreted Stinky as a potentially racist symbol. Based on their feedback, we agreed to update the visual content,” Kråkström said in an interview with Hufvudstadsbladet.
The decision has sparked confusion among Finnish Moomin representatives. Kråkström said the accusation is unprecedented. “To our knowledge, this is the first time in the 80-year history of the Moomins that anyone has viewed Stinky as racist,” he told Helsingin Sanomat by email.
A spokesperson for the Brooklyn Public Library, Fritzi Bodenheimer, confirmed the image was taken down in response to the complaint. “This was a curatorial decision intended to ensure all visitors feel welcome,” she told Hufvudstadsbladet.
(Excerpt) Read more at helsinkitimes.fi ...
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Sometimes you can't make this stuff up.
Won’t this result in a years worth of media stories about censorship? Perhaps not.
I doubt any Moomin fans would have been offended
So, “people of color” are all fuzzy and appear as a fuzzy ball? With feet?
“queer artist”
Her art isn’t that queer.
Litterally me after a long weekend playing video games, not showering or shaving. I’m whiter than sour cream
Just say the he’s a Sea Urchin.
They have to be in all the advertisements but can’t be in any artwork?
If I, a donor, found something anti white something tells me not a single thing would be changed. All this bullshit goes only one way.
Well, my darn HB pencil and Sharpie make black strokes as I draw.
I better just make transparant strokes on paper from now on.
And insect/alien like antennae.
Full body dreds?
Political correctness went over the edge years ago.
Now it’s offensive for a black character to be black?
THAT offends me.
Another exciting episode of “As the Snowflake Melts.”
Moomin is a brother?
Next up they’ll ban the black 8 ball in pool.
“potentially racist”
Was the complainant white, fat, with a nose ring, with purple hair, with thick black ‘smart girl’ glasses?
Now the usual suspects will attack the exhibition for lack of diversity. Why aren’t there any black moomins?...
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