Misguided Social Justice Warriors again in the news

[Macruran]

Would she really be able to sue Playmobil over such an idtiotic issue which she created herself?! Just because SHE believes it is a racist toy?!
If yes then the USA is indeed really going   

I don't know any specifics but I bet a creative lawyer has already given his attention to this. Also, remember that there are things you can go to jail for saying in Europe too.

[Rhalius]

Here in the Netherlands there isnt really any punishment for crimes. The man who killed a popular politician about 10 years ago is already free. Was 100% certain he did it and showed no remorse. They even allow convicted pedophiles to live in a neighbourhood with many children once they are released. All kept anonymous and such, they care more about protecting the criminals instead of the victims.

[tahra]

Here in the Netherlands there isnt really any punishment for crimes.

Same here. It's disgusting.

[SKlick]

In the US you can lose your job if you say the wrong thing at the wrong time - even if you didn't mean any harm.

Same happens over here in Germany. One of our supervisors was fired after telling an employee that "melden macht frei" ... or to "pass the buck". What he meant was that he wanted to be told whenever there's a problem with a customer so that he could help out. Problem was that a helpdesk employee thought she heard him say "Arbeit macht frei" which has a totally different meaning. And history. The guy was fired on the spot.

Also, hardly anyone dares to say the word "refugee" while at work.

[tahra]

Problem was that a helpdesk employee thought she heard him say "Arbeit macht frei" which has a totally different meaning. And history. The guy was fired on the spot.

Also, hardly anyone dares to say the word "refugee" while at work.

That is soooooooooooo stupid. IMO.

[Richard]

12 October 2015
In the news ... A Playmobil pirate has become the center of discussion.
Playmobil Pirate Ship 5135 seems to have a pirate with a "metal" collar as an accessory.
Ida Lockett thinks it's a "slave collar". And, this California mother doesn't want her 5 year old son playing with it.
The NAACP has demanded that all of these "racist" Playmobil sets should be removed immediately.
Too bad no one seems to know their history or even know the Playmobil product very well.
First, is the metal collar. During this period both leather and metal collars were worn as neck protection!
A deadly blow to the neck with a cutlass could certainly ruin a pirate's day.
Second, the color of the Playmobil pirate figure is not the color used for the typical African Playmobil figure.
Playmobil uses the light brown figure for beach goers with a tan, native Americans and ancient Egyptians.
Apparently, Ida needs to do her homework and find something else to complain about.e

[Ismene]

The collar isn't attached to anything (and his hands are free), so it isn't being used to hold him captive, but it has a hook, suggesting that at one time this guy was chained up.

He could plausibly be a recently escaped mulatto slave. He hasn't had time to find a trustworthy blacksmith or to file off the collar himself because he just got away.


In the Facebook post, that lady called it "a slave ship". One pale guy plus three darker skin guys (two of which are not wearing any restraints, and one with a collar that is not attached to anything) does not constitute a slave ship. Go read a history book lady.

[Rhalius]

I bet she would have been perfectly fine with the set if it was the white clicky wearing the collar.

[Klickteryx]

Imagine if the ball and chain fi?ure from series two had had a darker complexion. That would have had them frothing at the mouth for sure. Especially with that sad face.

[Macruran]

One reason I like Playmobil is that they DO make odd things that no Anglophone company would ever make. Confederate soldiers, Egyptians, Romans, African tribesmen, Eskimos, crusaders, a conquistador...and that's just the history. Modern wackiness includes airport security among many, many others.

It's just a matter of time before some(American)one combs PM's entire product history and composes a giant list of offensive sets, and initiates legal action. Mark my words.