Xenophobia in Conan

[Willowhugger]

Overall, I think it's important to recognize that "down and dirty" aspect of Conan is actually rather liberating from accusations of racism. Almost everyone is a complete and utter ***** in Conan the Barbarian. The Darfar cannibals and the Vale of Lost Women blacks are awful people plus there's also something off about Belit worshiped by her African rowers but Conan also freely associates with just about every other race in the world.

 

[Old Bear]

That's right. Also, some of his best friends have been from the Black Kingdoms, which certainly doesn't imply a colour-based racism by Conan as a character.

It's also dangerous ground for people to try and template today's touchy-feely culture on a period where such things were virtually unknown and would have been regarded as ridiculous. It's the same as modern 'historians' vilifying Rome for using slaves, when everybody did way back then.

IMHO you have to take account of such things when you involve yourself in the 'past' (be it fantasy or history) and if it's that uncomfortable, then in the words of form GW editor Paul Sawyer to me once, "perhaps you are in the wrong hobby".

 

[Krushnak]

Conan states he wouldn't let "a white woman in the hands of a black man".

Of course he wouldn't, especially when she could be in his hands.

 

[kintire]

As far as I remember (I don't have the book at hand), in The Vale Of Lost Women, Conan states he wouldn't let "a white woman in the hands of a black man". I know it was 80 years ago (and in Texas!) but stuff like this really stink.
My vision of the hyborian world is racist, xenophobic and sexist

That's an overreaction I think. And a generalisation. There is certainly a general attitude that people should protect their own where women are concerned, but Conan doesn't seem to be particularly racist. Some people are, but others are not. Xenophobia is also very mixed. The Picts are, but many areas are highly cosmopolitan; Zamboula for example. Sexism is certainly present, but those who use women solely as objects are uniformly the villains, and those who defy their gender roles, like Belit or Valeria, are heroines.

 

[Style]

In my latest Conan campaign, which is just about to start, I have a priest of Set and a priest of Ibis in the party. I'm practically salivating as a GM to see how this goes down!

I'd love to hear how this turned out. Do tell!

 

[Ranzadule]

I don't think it is really necessary to go into great detail about xenophobia in Conan as fear of outsiders is as much a part of the human species as any other animal. The more cosmopolitan cultures in Hyboria have less and the more tribal have more. Stygians hate outsiders as much as they are hated by those from without.

As for the stories being racist? Who says this and have they ever read any? Conan, the focus of all of the novels is clearly not racist, and those who are racist in the stories, are typically "bad guys", right?