Cyprus-Forum.com

[boomerang]

Lego accused of racism with Star Wars set

Austria’s Turkish community said the model was based on Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul and that the accompanying figures depicted Asians and Orientals as people with “deceitful and criminal personalities.”

The Turkish Cultural Community of Austria released a statement calling for Lego to apologise for affronting religious and cultural feelings.

The anger was provoked by “Jabba’s Palace”, a model of the home of Jabba the Hutt from Lego’s Star Wars product range based on the blockbusting series of science fiction films.

Jabba is the large slug-like creature who holds Han Solo captive in the film Return of the Jedi, and his palace is the setting for several crucial scenes, including using Princess Leia as his slave.

Jabba’s domed home and accompanying watchtower bear, according to the statement, an unwanted resemblance to Istanbul’s great Hagia Sophia, and another mosque in Beirut.
A picture posted on the Cultural Community’s website includes the box for Jabba’s Palace with arrows pointing out similarities to a picture of the Hagia Sofia mosque.

A converted Christian basilica and famed for its massive domed roof, the Hagia Sofia is one of the most famous mosques in the world and served Istanbul’s Muslim community for over 500 years before becoming a museum in 1943. It is also regarded as one of the finest, and largest examples, of Byzantine architecture.

The Jabba case came to light after an Austrian Turk complained to the organisation after his sister had bought his son the box set.

Austria’s Turkish community also took issue with the figures that went with the palace, including Jabba.

“The terrorist Jabba the Hutt likes to smoke a hookah and have his victims killed,” said the statement posted on the organisation’s website.

“It is clear that the ugly figure of Jabba and the whole scene smacks of racial prejudice and vulgar insinuations against Asians and Orientals as people with deceitful and criminal personalities.”

The crimes associated with the figures, the statements adds, include terrorism, slavery, murder and human sacrifice.

Taking into account that many of the Lego figures carry weapons, the Turkish organisation also urged parents “not to buy toys of war or toys of discrimination” as the model goes against the “peaceful coexistence of different cultures in Europe”.

As an indication of the anger felt over Jabba’s Palace, the organisation said it was considering taking legal action against Lego for inciting racial hatred and insulting human dignity.

Katharina Sasse, a public relations manager working on behalf of Lego, denied any link between Jabba’s Palace and the mosque.

“The Lego Star Wars product Jabba´s Palace does not reflect any actually existing buildings, people, or the mentioned mosque,” she said. “The Lego mini-figures are all modelled on characters from the movie.

“We regret that the product has caused the members of the Turkish cultural community to come to a wrong interpretation, but point out that when designing the product only the fictional content of the Star Wars saga were referred to.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/austria/9820517/Lego-accused-of-racism-with-Star-Wars-set.html

hehehe....there should be a worldwide BAN on 1st cousin marriages...

[GreekIslandGirl]

Austria’s Turkish community said the model was based on Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul and that the accompanying figures depicted Asians and Orientals as people with “deceitful and criminal personalities.”

Interesting that they see themselves as "Asians and Orientals" ...


- Or, is it the " “deceitful and criminal personalities” with which they associate?

[B25]

Anyone got that Warner Bros. Youtube clip about Batman and the major of the Turkish Town Batman wanting to sue Warner Bros.
I think it is very apt here, if someone could change the words Batman to Lego

Some one ought to remind those scum bag turks the Ayia Sofia is NOT Turkish either!

[Cap]

[Schnauzer]

Whether or not there is any justification in the concerns stated about the modelling of 'Jabba's Palace' and the architectural similarities to the 'Hagia Sophia Mosque', it is difficult to accept that those similarities occurred accidentally.

It is also difficult to accept (when thought about) that 'Jabba the Hutt' is not a purposely formed caricature of a fat and ugly 'Turk', particularly enhanced if he be presented sloppily puffing his 'Hookah' as he sits on his throne.

If there be any indications that the accompanying mini-figures resemble 'Asians' and 'Orientals' and that those mini-figures are portrayed as undesirables, it would be difficult to imagine that they too are not purposely formed.

What IS interesting (imho) is the immediate 'Legal Defence' offered by 'Lego' when they suggest that the 'Toys' are relevant to 'Star Wars' and are therefore free of criticism BUT, if such be the case, 'Lego' must have been prepared for criticism since they surely must have consulted the 'Film-makers' prior to the production of their 'Toy'.

Such is the mind set of so many these days, the mere mention of anything alluding to the faith of 'Islam' is bound to fan the flames of derision and further antagonises those who follow the faith, I think (as a non Muslim) that such derision is a serious mistake, it serves no purpose other than to bolster the desired objectives of 'Western Powers' and further promotes 'Racial Intolerance'.

Incidentally, I do wonder if it ever occurs to anyone that 'Racism' is so widespread these days, it truly presents 'Victory' to the powers that control us all ?,
a clever ploy which ensures that those of different colours/creeds and religious doctrines are so busy hating and criticising each other, they are oblivious
to the real issues that are being contested throughout the modern world, I think it is called 'Freedom' but am not sure how it is interpreted these days.

[cyprusgrump]

Whether or not there is any justification in the concerns stated about the modelling of 'Jabba's Palace' and the architectural similarities to the 'Hagia Sophia Mosque', it is difficult to accept that those similarities occurred accidentally.

It is also difficult to accept (when thought about) that 'Jabba the Hutt' is not a purposely formed caricature of a fat and ugly 'Turk', particularly enhanced if he be presented sloppily puffing his 'Hookah' as he sits on his throne.

If there be any indications that the accompanying mini-figures resemble 'Asians' and 'Orientals' and that those mini-figures are portrayed as undesirables, it would be difficult to imagine that they too are not purposely formed.

What IS interesting (imho) is the immediate 'Legal Defence' offered by 'Lego' when they suggest that the 'Toys' are relevant to 'Star Wars' and are therefore free of criticism BUT, if such be the case, 'Lego' must have been prepared for criticism since they surely must have consulted the 'Film-makers' prior to the production of their 'Toy'.

Such is the mind set of so many these days, the mere mention of anything alluding to the faith of 'Islam' is bound to fan the flames of derision and further antagonises those who follow the faith, I think (as a non Muslim) that such derision is a serious mistake, it serves no purpose other than to bolster the desired objectives of 'Western Powers' and further promotes 'Racial Intolerance'.

Incidentally, I do wonder if it ever occurs to anyone that 'Racism' is so widespread these days, it truly presents 'Victory' to the powers that control us all ?,
a clever ploy which ensures that those of different colours/creeds and religious doctrines are so busy hating and criticising each other, they are oblivious
to the real issues that are being contested throughout the modern world, I think it is called 'Freedom' but am not sure how it is interpreted these days.

Oh please!

The model looks nothing like it....

And Islam is a religion - not a race... It is therefore not possible to be racist for insulting Islam...

The problem is that we pander to the professionally insulted these days instead of telling them to 'get a life'. It is prevalent in just about every aspect of society...

The thing to remember is that you have no right not to be insulted... Sadly, all too often that is forgotten these days...

[Schnauzer]

Oh please!

The model looks nothing like it....

And Islam is a religion - not a race... It is therefore not possible to be racist for insulting Islam...

The problem is that we pander to the professionally insulted these days instead of telling them to 'get a life'. It is prevalent in just about every aspect of society...

The thing to remember is that you have no right not to be insulted... Sadly, all too often that is forgotten these days...

Surely the similarities between the model and the actual building cannot be dismissed so readily 'IF' the intention (as suggested) is to insult 'Islam'.

The faith of 'Islam' is embraced by many races (as are other faiths) BUT, not until reference is made to 'Arabs', 'Turks', 'Blacks' etc, to their 'Muslim' beliefs, does the question of 'Racism' arise and when it does, it would appear that the 'Insult' upsets 'Muslims' to a greater degree than those of other faiths.

Certainly it would be nicer to live our lives free of insult, perhaps some are more easily able to deal with it than others, perhaps there are those who are more apt to deliver insult than others and are therefore able to receive verbal or written insult more readily.

I think one should avoid insulting others from a safe distance since such verbal or written attacks suggest a lack of consideration for the feelings of others, not a habit worthy of cultivation but, one which I am sure we are all quite capable of from time to time.

Particularly after a few drinks.

[cyprusgrump]

Oh please!

The model looks nothing like it....

And Islam is a religion - not a race... It is therefore not possible to be racist for insulting Islam...

The problem is that we pander to the professionally insulted these days instead of telling them to 'get a life'. It is prevalent in just about every aspect of society...

The thing to remember is that you have no right not to be insulted... Sadly, all too often that is forgotten these days...

Surely the similarities between the model and the actual building cannot be dismissed so readily 'IF' the intention (as suggested) is to insult 'Islam'.

The faith of 'Islam' is embraced by many races (as are other faiths) BUT, not until reference is made to 'Arabs', 'Turks', 'Blacks' etc, to their 'Muslim' beliefs, does the question of 'Racism' arise and when it does, it would appear that the 'Insult' upsets 'Muslims' to a greater degree than those of other faiths.

Certainly it would be nicer to live our lives free of insult, perhaps some are more easily able to deal with it than others, perhaps there are those who are more apt to deliver insult than others and are therefore able to receive verbal or written insult more readily.

I think one should avoid insulting others from a safe distance since such verbal or written attacks suggest a lack of consideration for the feelings of others, not a habit worthy of cultivation but, one which I am sure we are all quite capable of from time to time.

Particularly after a few drinks.

The model has a domed roof... I wonder how many other buildings there are in the world that share this design feature...? Given that this was originally a Christian structure I would expect there to be quite a few...

Surely, if Lego were insane enough to risk damaging their business by 'insulting Islam' they would have based the model on the 'Blue Mosque' which is a stones throw from the building in question (and is still a mosque - not a museum)...

It would be nice not to be insulted.... But if you believe in free speech you MUST accept that the views of others might insult you (and respect their right to do so)...

Once we give certain groups the 'right' to be insulted we give away our right to free speech...

[Schnauzer]

Particularly after a few drinks.

[="cyprusgrump"] Once we give certain groups the 'right' to be insulted we give away our right to free speech...[/quote]


Can't quite grasp the sense of the last line of your response, unless you had one or two before writing it.

[cyprusgrump]

Particularly after a few drinks.

Once we give certain groups the 'right' to be insulted we give away our right to free speech...

Can't quite grasp the sense of the last line of your response, unless you had one or two before writing it.

I'd have thought it was quite obvious...

Say somebody makes a joke about ginger headed people and a ginger complains... It happens by the way...

The correct response is 'get over it - it is just words'. But if you uphold the complaint you then restrict the freedom of people to make hinger jokes...

It is a trivial example, but once you start where do you stop?