Amazon Slammed For Sale Of ‘Collectible’ Racist Literature Containing N-Word
Amazon has been widely condemned by dozens of anti-racist campaigners over the listing on its website of racist literature under the label of “collectible”.
Various editions of Ten Little N*ggers by English writer Agatha Christie are currently available for purchase, through third parties, via the online retailer.
The use of the racist slur in the title has sparked concern from a number of Black writers and public figures.
Award-winning author Alex Wheatle told HuffPost UK: “I object to any books of racist content being sold on Amazon. The company needs to tighten up its checks and procedures so these bigoted titles are not available on their platforms.”
Lawyer and media commentator Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu also tweeted: “This RACIST/OFFENSIVE title of Agatha Christie book is labelled rare & collectable by @AmazonUK.”
She added: “Profiting on oppression of Black people & enabling racism is REPREHENSIBLE. Remove NOW and apologize promptly!”
Like many others, Patrick Vernon – community activist and founder of the 100 Great Black Britons campaign – has also called for the retailer to remove the book from circulation and instead focus on promoting Black history resources on its platform.
He told HuffPost UK: “Amazon as a leading online global brand should have clear policies which support equality and diversity of all its customers and retailers. If the company really values its customers, especially from those around the world of African descent, it should stop selling and promoting this and other similar publications immediately.
“This publication and many others are part of this history and context which still influence everyday racism and the portrayal of Black people in the media, and the rise in online racism and AfrIphobia on social media platforms, which many people in public life are experiencing on a daily basis.
“The diffusion of negative racist and stereotype images was based on the perception, experiences and value judgements of colonial expatriates based in Africa – teachers, administrators, soldiers, missionaries, entrepreneurs, settlers, explorers, and anthropologists – and the legacy of slavery and plantation societies in North America, the Caribbean and South America.”
He added: “Amazon should focus on selling and promotion Black British history instead.”
In the light of the Covid-19 crisis and with school closures, Vernon has collaborated with the National Educational Union (NEU) to launch a unique home school competition for children and young people to explore Black British history and multicultural Britain.
This competition is part of the relaunch of the 100 Great Black Britons campaign to celebrate the continued legacy and achievements of Black people in Britain.