Pooh to all that!

by: Romany Howes (24 November 2014)

It seems that our beloved iconic Pooh Bear is under attack in Poland of all places. According to a Sky News report, Winnie the Pooh is facing a ban from a Polish playground, after the character was labelled by politicians “as a half-naked hermaphrodite who is an inappropriate role model to children.” The locals wanted to name a local park after AA Milne’s bear but the powers that be have decided it would be more prudent not to offend people with the image of a character with an unclear gender.

The debate rages on but it got me thinking about other familiar characters that we know and love. Billy Bunter was the epitome of unhealthiness and obesity. Draco Malfoy was a bigot and a bully, Veruca Salt was a spoilt brat. Dylan from the Magic Roundabout was a junkie. And what about the children from the Midwich Cuckoos?

That’s what fiction is all about, creating characters that people love to read about. Winnie the Pooh is a fictional cartoon bear, loved by millions who simply do not care that he walks about naked or has no genitalia. The last word has to go to a local Polish man when asked his opinion: "Winnie the Pooh is a bear with low intellect, and unfortunately, this is also evident in those who are concerned with this topic."

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