The politics of stamps

[TygerTyger]

As a new stamp of Marie Stopes shows, the people and things that go on stamps can prove a controversial business.

Stopes is in the group of six women because she paved the way for the modern concept of family planning. But her presence on a stamp has been attacked by churchmen.


Their allegations are thus - Stopes believed fervently in eugenics, supported compulsory sterilisation of some, and, having sent a book of poetry to Adolf Hitler, should be regarded as a sympathiser.
One newspaper referred to her as a "Nazi-loving bigot".
So how did such a controversial figure end up on a stamp?

From here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7669252.stm

You don't have to be a stamp collector to appreciate this story!

[Invidosa]

huh, it's amazing what can raise ire isn't it?

but seriously, I can see where the potential exists foir a problem here. It could be interpreted that anything depicted on a stamp bears some sort of approval from the government. In this particular case I think the ire is overrated, but I can see the potential.

[Chaos Hawk]

I don't even look at stamps to see what message they are sending _inabox_

[TygerTyger]

In Britain we tend to concentrate on what people did wrong rather than what they did right - and don't suggest that things should be put into context, that just spoils a damned good moan!

Having had contact with some forms of humanity when I worked in the Prison Service I think Stopes might have had a point about selective sterilisation!

Of course, the fact that her work on contraception freed hundreds of thousands, possibly millions by now, of women from a life as just child producers, and all the dangers that went with childbirth at that time, doesn't really count for much in comparison to what some can find to complain about!

[Invidosa]

In Britain we tend to concentrate on what people did wrong rather than what they did right - and don't suggest that things should be put into context, that just spoils a damned good moan!

Having had contact with some forms of humanity when I worked in the Prison Service I think Stopes might have had a point about selective sterilisation!

Of course, the fact that her work on contraception freed hundreds of thousands, possibly millions by now, of women from a life as just child producers, and all the dangers that went with childbirth at that time, doesn't really count for much in comparison to what some can find to complain about!

I agree, I think it's sad that people only focus on what they consider "wrong" instead of concentrating on what they can support.

As far as selective sterilization goes. I know some women who I would not be opposed to sterilizing (go on, call me a nazi for it) like the lady who has had 9 abortions, and 7 kids, is a drug addict on welfare. But it makes me think of the "slippery slope" arguement, and who would be the person or persons who decided who gets sterilized? what would be the limits? je n'sais pas. JMHO.

[TygerTyger]

It is an interestng question, I'm sure that we can all identify possible candidates, but the subject has been rendered more or less taboo!