Racist & ‘Discriminatory’: UN Consulting Group Wants Dante‘s ’Inferno’ Out of the Classroom
- Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:53pm by
Erica Ritz
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Gherush92, a human rights organization that consults for UN bodies on racism and discrimination, is calling for Dante’s “Divine Comedy” to be removed from schools and acknowledged as racist, homophobic, Islamophobic, and anti-Semitic.
According to Valentina Sereni, the group’s president, the 14th-century work is “offensive and discriminatory” and has no place in the classroom.
10 Scenes of the 'Divine Comedy' by Carl Vogel von Vogelstein (Photo: the Telegraph)
For those who have never read Dante’s epic, it follows a fictional version of the author through hell, purgatory, and heaven in three distinct works, the “Inferno,“ ”Purgatorio,“ and ”Paradiso.”
The foundation of the modern Italian language and a staple in American English classes, the “Inferno,” in particular, is drawing fire. In it, hell is divided into nine circles where people are placed according to how they lived: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. Each circle has its own unique form of eternal punishment.
According to The Telegraph:
It represents Islam as a heresy and Mohammed as a schismatic and refers to Jews as greedy, scheming moneylenders and traitors, Miss Sereni told the Adnkronos news agency.
‘The Prophet Mohammed was subjected to a horrific punishment – his body was split from end to end so that his entrails dangled out, an image that offends Islamic culture,’ she said.
Homosexuals are [also] damned by the work as being ‘against nature’ and condemned to an eternal rain of fire in Hell.
Though it is true that Dante condemned Mohammed and homosexuals to the Inferno, Sereni and The Telegraph fail to note that the author placed prominent Christians right next to them.
Gustave Dore depicts the circle of greed (Photo: World of Dante)
Many “clergymen, popes, and cardinals” were condemned to the circle of greed, where they had to joust with one another for all eternity using great weights which they pushed with their chests. Similarly, Pope Anastasius II was damned to the circle of heresy, where he is trapped in a flaming tomb, and the soles Pope Nicholas III’s feet will always be tickled with fire while his head is trapped inside a large rock.
This leads one to ask, why isn’t the organization offended by the eternal torture of Christians?
Many think the censorship of Dante’s “Divine Comedy” represents censorship of history, and are leaping to the book’s defense. Franco Grillini, the head of a gay rights organization, has said that the move marks “an excess of political correctness,” and Giorgio Rembado, the president of an Italian head teachers’ association, reminded that, “Works of literature need to be placed in the historical context.”
Gherush92 has responded that, if the book is not to be taken out of classrooms, offensive passages should at the least have a modern explanation nearby. “We do not advocate censorship or the burning of books, but we would like it acknowledged, clearly and unambiguously, that in the Divine Comedy there is racist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic content.”
“Art cannot be above criticism.”
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Comments (126)
Chet Hempstead
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:29pmI’m against whaling, but I loved Moby Dick. You have to make some allowances for the fact that people who lived in other times and places are going to think differently from people today when looking at works of great artistic and historical importance.
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:49pmI want the un dead and in hel1.
Report Post »Emrys
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 5:11pmI am currently teaching this work in my middle school classes, and I teach at a private, religious school. It is a great classic, can be debated back and forth, brings up many moral and theological discussions and questions. Funny, it was the first book on the Catholic Church’s list of banned books back around 700 years ago. I guess not much changes in the world.
Report Post »Komponist-ZAH
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 5:16pmThey want it banned because it describes where they’re going.
Honestly, the narrow-mindedness of some people is amazing. And their hatred for Western civilization and its achievements is appalling.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 6:04pmAny group or persons consulting for the UN should be ignored…….. period.
Report Post »Zer0
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 6:48pmYeah, sure….ban Dante’s literary works (some of the greatest literary works, not only in the West but the ENTIRE world) after we ban the RACIST, SEXIST, HOMOPHOBIC Quaran. Backward, PC, NAZI’s. Kardashians, Reality TV, American Idol is okay where as Dante is bad, and we wonder what is happening to Western culture?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 6:54pmThis IS: Dante’s HELL!
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 7:42pmIf this wasn’t so pitiful it would be hilarious.
We are paying the NEA tax dollars so they can “produce” piss jesus. And assorted other filth in the name of ‘art’. And now, the U.N. wants a virtual ‘book burning.’
… now, it slips my mind what the NAZIS were doing…? oh, yeah, defacing art and burning books… at least the ones they didn’t like. the ones they could steal for their own wealth, they kept. I guess we’ll be hearing about THAT at a later time.
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 10:34pm“Gherush92, a human rights organization that consults for UN bodies on racism and discrimination –
Report Post »According to Valentina Sereni, the group’s president, the 14th-century work is “offensive and discriminatory” and has no place in the classroom.”
Well just ignore these jacka**es since obviously they are too STUPID to realize that THEY have NO place in America.
smithclar3nc3
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:08amLiberals being liberal . They keep trying like he77 to ban any idea even in a fictional novel that goes against their ideology. Or that may offend a democrat or anyone they think might be a supporter.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:10amOh by the way the U.N. doesn’t have any authority in the U.S. classrooms and what our students learn. IF THE DO REMOVING THE U.S. FROM THE U.N JUST MOVED TO #2 ON THE LIST OF PRIMARY OBJECTIVE.
Report Post »robert
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 5:26pm“We do not advocate censorship or the burning of books, but we would like it acknowledged, clearly and unambiguously, that in the Divine Comedy there is racist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic content.”
Why does this explanation merit consideration, since it is just condemnation from a radical segment of society who want to impose their perverted vierws on everyone else?
It is CENSORSHIP in the truest sense of the word and is no different than burning books they don’t like.
Those afflicted with the mental disorder known as political correcness operate under the delusion that only their inane views should be heard or read. It is they who should be silenced in order to prevent censorship.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:28pmI feel as though no one in this group has ever read the book, and doesn’t realize that most of it is satire where Dante lambasted his political opponents (including some popes that he had burning in Hell).
Report Post »spirited
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:36pmOh, ….please. Life is just a bowl of cherries.
>“Divine COMEDY” speaks for itself.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:46amEr, comedy in the middle ages did not mean humor. It usually referred to a play in three stages with a lighter tone and happy ending.
Report Post »Terry1242
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:27pmthis is truly truly insane.
Report Post »True American66
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:26pmI’ve read it….I don’t have a copy…SO, I‘m buying one RIGHT NOW before I can’t!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 5:37pmBetter stock up on Bibles too, they’ll be the next to go.
Report Post »Popp40
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:26pmFunny….I just bought that book last night to add to my home library……
Report Post »hillbillyinny
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:26pmSome people are “very touchy” about truth, aren’t they!
It’s literature, based the faith of a people in those days, and probably possessing more truth than fiction! Humans always want to be their own god. . .
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 5:48pmPrecisely why Jews and Christians who practice their faith are roundly and soundly condemned by the world at large, and why muslims are not. Mohammad made up his religion to gain control of the Hejaz by force. Mohammad is his own god since Allah was the moon god of Arabia before Mohammad took him up.
Report Post »vsraglan
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:24pmI can’t find any comments by the UN consulting group about “Piss Christ.”
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:43pmAmen.
Report Post »armymp
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:22pmEven in a bad situation, I always ask myself, “What’s good about this”? When Bobo was elected I thought the racism thing would die down since we had a black president that got so many white votes.
I was so wrong about that… it has only gotten worse.
Report Post »Wal22nut
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:17pmBooks should NEVER be banned; no matter how nasty and horrible anyone finds them! That’s right, I said it (wrote it)! The future leaders of the world NEED to understand how we philosophically came to where we are today. That means being exposed to lots of diverse ideas. Unfortunately, books also need to be taught in context as students become mature enough to understand that Mankind hasn’t always had the priorities it does today. This is simply beyond the ability of many teachers in the US education system. Context is everything.
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:51pmThank you for expressing my feelings. When people start banning books the end is near.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:13pmanytime I see “UN” as a headline I know the rest of the story will be garbage. I cannot fathom why we are members of this, host them, and give them money its absurd
Report Post »wethecrazypeople
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:24pm@horsecrazy That‘s because The Blaze only posts stories that conform to the right wing’s delerious fantasies about the UN. And, of course, I completely disagree with any censorship of the Inferno. Everyone should read it, and yeah, its homophobic/anti-semitic elements should be noted by the teacher and the historical context explained — that’s part of the reason works from the past are taught in the first place
Report Post »Popp40
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:27pmCan you name one good thing the UN has done…………..
Report Post »wethecrazypeople
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:31pmThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights, for one. Peacekeeping missions for another
Report Post »wethecrazypeople
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:34pmplus UNESCO, Human Development Index etc etc. Also, it isn‘t the UN that’s criticising the Inferno, it‘s a consulting agency they’ve used before
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:34pm@wethecrazypeople,
Please explain “right wing crazies”? Actually,Let me explain it to you again:
The USA was founded on LIMITED (balanced) government. We (conservatives/Libertarians,etc) support this LIMITED government that THIS country was founded on. So, since we SUPPORT a LIMITED government we are Centrists. Now you crazy lefties support Marxism and extreme right are Anarchists. Which one are you? Marxist? Anarchist? Either way supporting anything OTHER than limited government in the USA makes you treasonous.
If you don’t like the Constitution and LIMITED government then leave….go to China, Russia, Cuba, N.Korea, etc if that’s what you support. Stop trying to change our HERITAGE..treasonous hypocrite!
Report Post »wethecrazypeople
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:46pmI didn’t use the phrase “right wing crazies”. Also, do you think you could take a step back and read your post again? You’re accusing me of extremism, but you yourself are calling for anyone who disagrees with your interpretation of the constitution (nowhere in which is found the phrase ‘limited’ government — the term is essentially meaningless, especially given the right wing’s broad support of the Patriot Act, medically unnecessary ******* probes for women seeeking an abortion, government torture etc etc etc) to leave the country entirely? I’m the extremist??
Report Post »Popp40
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:50pm@WETHECRAZYPEOPLE, you state The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, for one. Peacekeeping missions for another. Let me ask you this, how many countries break the Universal Declaration of Human Rights…yet the UN says nothing about it. Matter of fact in many cases they promote these countries….just look at the ME and Africa if you need examples.
As for Peacekeeping missions…..that is funny. The UN couldn’t keep peace with itself. These “Peacekeeping missions” are a joke…the UN is a joke.
Report Post »wethecrazypeople
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 5:22pm@Popp40 So then you agree in principle with the Declaration of Human Rights and peacekeeping missions, and are just dismayed that they aren’t enforced as strictly?
Report Post »Quiata
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 6:45pmIt seems the leftist perspective is this: “Well, you see, burning historical books is BAD, but taking old moldy outdated books away from the next generation so the ideas contained in the pages cannot influence their thinking and modern-day world view is OKAY.”
Think about it: some group of people actually thought this through, confirmed it amongst themselves, and is now to the point of putting it into action. Unbelievable.
Prediction: Dante’s Inferno will long outlive the modern-day sentiment that is trying to isolate and extinguish it.
Report Post »Abraham Young
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:52pm@YOUARETHECRAZYPEOPLE
Can’t tell that peace keeping missions are code for undermining national sovereignty and natural rights.
I think I read about you in the BIBLE, somewhere in Isaiah where it talks about strong drink.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:13pmValentina Sereni and her U.N. minions are trying to erase the dire warnings of Hell because they know that is most likely their final destination. United States OUT of the U.N.!
“Therefore hell has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoices, shall descend into it.” Isaiah 5:14
Report Post »Kitkarr
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:12pmHow about you just don‘t read it if you don’t like it? Plenty of people treat the Constitution that way. Many treat The Bible that way. I don‘t read the quran any more because I don’t want to. I don’t agree with the ideas of hatred it preaches. But guess what, I’m not trying to have it secluded from the rest of the world of literary fiction. Its all fiction. Someone else already posted that its fiction! As in not real. If we start at Inferno, where do we stop? Do we get rid of The Grapes of Wrath? What about Roots? Boyz ‘n’ tha Hood? Ice T? The Dukes of Hazzard?
If I’m not mistaken, its poetry. Its not to be taught as actual fact or The Word of God.
Just some more people who need to get over themselves.
Report Post »Kitkarr
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:20pmIn my previous post the statement “Its all fiction” was in reference to the whole of literary fiction. Not The Constitution or The Bible. Figured I should quell that pretty quick.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:12pmMark Twain –>Now Dante?
%^> Piccaso violated the female form; huh?
… Jack And The Bean Stalk, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs… watch out!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:10pmI want… the UN… out of this Sovereign Nation!
Report Post »spirited
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:32pmLeave the un in:
Report Post »unable
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HKS
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 5:16pmDitto,
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 6:51pmSo does this mean you’re switching to the Ron Paul camp?
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:08pmThis is a clear example of the same mind set that wrecked the Hindu Shrines.
No Tolerance problem there.
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:05pmWait until Obama asks for UN troops to deal with this summers riots.
Report Post »stormcrow53
Posted on March 15, 2012 at 6:40amExactly. A terrible precedent is being set which will be turned against us.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:05pmLocked , The Department of Racist Labeling has spoken.. Dante’, you got alot a splainin to do.
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:03pmThe UN……..no……..free speach is still alive in America….its a wonderful book on religion and literature……..UN may not do anything in America…….Wake up Obama is allowing our sovereignty to be shanghaied.
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:03pmAren‘t these the same groups that fought to keep ’Catcher in the Rye’ in schools?
Aren’t these the same people that are so against banning books?
Report Post »Need to be FREE
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:03pmSome more clowns heard from. Now wanting to destroy the classics. Can these people be moved to Atlantis? Please take this useless organization away, PLEASE.
Report Post »LeeR47
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:02pmOh my gosh! The political correctness gang wants to strip us of any history that doesn’t conform to their standards….sounds dangerous to me.
Report Post »yanki161
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:01pmOh good. Do we now have her permission to excoriate Maplethorp?
Report Post »msconstrue
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:00pmThe book is fictional!!!!………
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:12pmWell, it may be a work of fiction, but it has stuff in it that is “disrespectful” to Islam, so of course it must go.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:59pmAnd WE THE PEOPLE want the un out of America.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:15pm…except, leave it in
;^> der wear
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:55pmThe UN again?? Since when are we under THEIR CONTROL? The human rights accusations and now this? BO wants to consult with THEM before the USA defends itself? Something VERY wrong with this picture folks!
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:12pmWE should not do what the UN says. We need to kick them out of our country, or at least stop paying for them to be here.
Literature is what it is. We can’t change history, and if a classic work of literature doesn’t go along with our current societal views it is not evil. It is history. Let’s not change it or totally ban it. I do think that if a local school district has determined a specific book is too…whatever…for children (too racist, too sexual, too violent), then they can keep it out of the school libraries. But it should be up to the districts with parental input, not the UN or US gov‘t or state gov’t or county. It is a local issue. I for one don‘t want any old thing in my child’s school library.
Report Post »Obama Snake Oil Co
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:18pmI think BO is one of them. The libterds want to rewrite history as Glen has said many times. It doesn’t suit them or support their agenda. So rewrite and deny the truth part. Amazing part is if they cannot rewrite, they just don’t teach it.
Report Post »msconstrue
Posted on March 14, 2012 at 4:39pm@deeberj……wouldn’t it more appropriate to determine what YOU think is suitable reading material for you children?……i don’t want a school board, group of parents or any other organization telling me what is suitable. as a parent, I will make that determination…..it becomes a very slippery slope when we start banning books….i use my childrens reading material as an opportunity for dialogue and sharing values.
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