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Moomin Character Accused of Racism
Euroweekly News ^ | 04 Aug 2025 | John Smith

Posted on 08/04/2025 2:23:45 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Stinky is a member of the Moomin cast in Japan Credit: Moominvalley Park

Certain cartoon characters from Europe such as Asterix, Smurfs and Tin Tin have become international children’s legends and from Finland it’s the Moomins.

So popular are the Moomins who first appeared in 1945 that these round fairy-tale characters with large snouts that make them resemble the hippopotamus appeared in books, comics, tv series as well as having two theme parks in Finland and Japan.

This year, it was agreed that the Brooklyn Public Library in New York would host an exhibition entitled Tove Jansson and the Moomins: The Door Is Always Open which is the first major showcase of the author’s work in the United States.

Moomin character Stinky accused of racism

Suddenly however, a problem arose and reportedly one of those involved in arranging the exhibition reported that in their opinion, a naughty character known as Stinky (Haisuli in Finnish) who loves to plays jokes on the Moomin family could be considered racist.

In the earliest illustrations of Stinky, he is depicted as being covered in black fur but by the 1990s this had turned brown, but today, he returned to the original black colour and this may be why his appearance was considered to be potentially racist.

Moomin character accused of racism and removed from New York exhibition The matter was referred to Roleff Kråkström, CEO of Moomin Characters and he confirmed that the character could be removed from the display commenting to Hufvudstadsbladet “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.”

Not all Moomin scholars (yes they do exist) agree with the decision as they argue that the whole point of the stories is to highlight tolerance and diversity and this is believed to be the first time in 80 years that anyone has suggested that Stinky might be seen as a racist figure, although times and tolerances have changed over the decades.

In today’s world of ongoing wars and religious intolerance, the removal of Stinky from this one exhibition is hardly likely to make a great difference although someone in America is probably pleased at the result.


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: moomin

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This just in: One of the Moomin is dating Sydney Sweeney.

1 posted on 08/04/2025 2:23:45 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

The article says Stinky is guilty of racism, but the context suggest he is the victim of racism?


2 posted on 08/04/2025 2:24:33 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Racism is just a stupid topic. People who talk about it as if it matters instantly lose my respect.


3 posted on 08/04/2025 2:25:38 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The list of things I no longer care about is long. And it's getting longer.)
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To: nickcarraway

Whiners gotta whine.

I guess that means he’s finnish.

WTHsinki?


4 posted on 08/04/2025 2:30:22 PM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: ClearCase_guy

I’m with you on this one.


5 posted on 08/04/2025 2:48:04 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: No name given

Instantaneous ghetto fatigue.


6 posted on 08/04/2025 2:53:24 PM PDT by Wally_Kalbacken
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To: nickcarraway
So I guess Bryce Young is now a racist. And his teammates. They'll be thrilled to hear that.

stinky-bryceyoung

7 posted on 08/04/2025 2:59:21 PM PDT by Dahoser (Liz Cheney needs to work on her soccer skills so she fits in when she transfers to Guantanamo High)
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To: nickcarraway

“Brooklyn Public Library in New York would host an exhibition entitled Tove Jansson and the Moomins: The Door Is Always Open which is the first major showcase of the author’s work in the United States.”

Doesn’t sound like the door is always open. Go to another US city or go home. Ban anything from NY.


8 posted on 08/04/2025 3:55:05 PM PDT by alternatives?
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To: nickcarraway

9 posted on 08/04/2025 4:28:15 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (The moron troll Ted Holden believes that humans originated on Ganymede.)
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