Only one book
September 12, 2007There is only one book in this country that is prohibited - Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” (’My Fight’). That prohibition is relative by the way, as it is only prohibited to sell copies of the book. It is freely available in libraries, and possession of it is not illegal either. This is of course a weird situation, but remember that the prohibition is largely symbolic in meaning.
Our Secretary of Eduction, Media, and Culture said in an interview that we, as a nation, ought to reconsider the prohibition, on the grounds of free speech, as well as that it is a part of our history, and therefore important. The problem is, however, that Mein Kampf itself sort-of violates the first article of our constitution - the prime pillar on which our nation is built. The Supreme Court, therefore, ruled that it must remain prohibited.
I’m not really sure where I stand on this one. On the one hand, we have our freedom of speech, and of course the fact that it is in fact part of not only our past, but also our present and future - you are supposed to learn from history. On the other hand, the book most certainly violates the first article of our constitution, and that’s a very, very important reason for me to support the Supreme Court on this one.
You can’t side on all matters.
Politics | 
What exactly the book violates from the basic rights?
Comment by Eugenia — September 12, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
The first article is the prohibition of discrimination, as well as the principle of equality.
The book violates that.
Comment by Administrator — September 12, 2007 @ 9:47 pm
And a bomb violates the right to exist. And yet bombs exist. It all depends how you use every thing. So in my opinion, the book should not be prohibited. It should simply not be put to implementation.
Comment by Eugenia — September 12, 2007 @ 10:31 pm
I would’ve asked the same question as Eugenia, but the answer is already there. And what a nonsens answer!?
A book cannot discriminate. Discrimination is a matter of treatment. If you have more of fewer rights than other individuals. That is discrimination. Some forms of discrimination are legal in Holland, and some are illegal.
Equality is also about having the same rights and get the same treatment in the public space.
A book in itself cannot be discriminating, nor can it make people unequal. Therefore it cannot violate any part of the constitution unless there is a general ban on racial ideology (which would be understandable, though probably unwise).
I don’t support banning books, and the argument for banning the book is pure nonsens. That said I think everybody ought to know what Hitler wrote in “Mein Kampf” because that would completely undermine Nazism (and related ideologies). I’ve never read anything that selfcontradictory or so sick. If people knew the contents of that book they would have much better knowledge to prevent a comeback for Nazism.
Comment by dylansmrjones — September 12, 2007 @ 11:42 pm
There are other books that contain just as much hate as Mein Kampf that will never be banned. How about the Qu’ran and the Bible?
Comment by Andrew — September 13, 2007 @ 4:39 am