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Now being portrayed as a cowboy is considered bad and not PC :???:

Kids' story banned in case it offends Muslims and builders



By Angela Reed Chief reporter

Shields Gazette - UK

24 January 2008



A CHILDREN'S story based on The Three Little Pigs has been rejected for a Government-backed award - in case it offended Muslims.



The animated digital book - called The Three Little Cowboy Builders - was also criticised for its potential to offend tradesmen.



But the CD-rom, designed for use in primary schools, was today defended by its East Boldon-based creators, who have been shocked by the backlash.



The book is described by Shoo Fly Publishing as a "darkly humorous version of The Three Little Pigs".



But judges at the annual Bett awards, backed by Becta - the Government's technology agency for schools - said the use of pigs "raises cultural issues".


Other comments included: "Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work blown down, and builders are like pigs?



"The idea of taking a traditional tale and retelling a story is fine, but it should not alienate parts of the workforce.



"Judges would not recommend this product to the Muslim community in particular."



But Ann Curtis, founder and creative director of Shoo Fly, said the idea that including pigs in the story could be interpreted as racism was "like a slap in the face".



She added: "I felt disbelief, to be honest. As a small company, we have a strong ethical and moral grounding.



"To be told that we cynically set out to alienate minority groups is a very narrow-minded view that I'm sure does not represent the general view in the country."



Ms Curtis, 53, also said the book, which recently won a prize in another education awards scheme, took a humorous look at the building trade.



However, West-Boldon based builder Gary Wilson said: "It will offend quite a few builders. There are cowboys out there, but I'm not one of them."


Muslims are not allowed to eat pork in the Koran and consider pigs unclean.



But Tahir Alam, head of education at the Muslim Council of Britain, said it would not be offended while John Midgley, of the Campaign against Political Correctness, said: "It beggars belief that a government agency should waste its time on such things.



"Who is going to be offended in the slightest about what is essentially a children's tale?"




Becta said the book was rejected for a number of reasons, adding: "The feedback makes clear that the issues highlighted were a small selection from a much broader range of comments."



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