Hop on Pop
It starts off innocently enough, claiming to teach vocabularly. “Pup on Cup. Mouse on house. Etc.” But, as we shall soon see, this book is a veritable viper’s nest of vicious and vituperative vitriol.
Later it tells us that “We all play ball on the wall,” luring us to beleive in a utopian society of cooperation. The wall symbolizes between people of all types. Unfortunately, this utopia is not to last as we “All fall off the wall.” It’s a clear reference to the ongoing economic and cultural segregation in the U.S. today, and how out of touch with the people our leaders are. In truth, we have all fallen off the wall of harmony.
The reference is repeated. “We play all day. We fight all night.”
Later we meet Red. “Red. Red. They call me Red.” Red has flaming red hair, and a knowing smirk.
We find that “Red is in Bed.” Not only is Red in Bed. He is in bed with Ted Ned and Ed! They all have guilty smiles on their faces. What are they doing beneath those covers. Clearly this is reinforcing the stereotype of the guilty and promiscuous homosexual. Let’s get them started on their hate and guilt early, Ok?
But it doesn’t stop there. Next we meet Pat. Pat is your basic white guy. He’s a little fat and stupid looking. You know he watches ball, and drinks a few beers before beating his wife. Pat does stupid things like sit on cats, bats, and cactuses. It’s right out of the Jeffersons.
The next guy (also a white male,) is called Dad. We learn that “Dad is sad. Very very sad. He had a bad day.” Dad is sitting in his chair with a sour look on his face. He has been out oppressing the proletariat (like Pat) and is tired, and ill-humored. Early on we are reinforcing the stereotypical malignant and apathetic curmudgeonliness of the power structure of society. Has this book no shame?
If there is any doubt, this message is later clarified. Kids like to “Hop on Pop.” But Pop shouts angrily “Stop! You must not hop on pop.” Hopping on Pop is a clear metaphor for overturning the antiegalitarian power structure, and achieving a true beneficial society. Children have a natural tendency to seek out peaceful solutions to societal problems. By reading them this book, you are teaching them that the power structure will deny and thwart these tendencies. They must be suppressed and sublimated, so that the artificial power structure of hate can survive.
Still later we are told that Mr. Brown is out of town, but comes back with Mr. Black. This is a clear reference to imperialist slave traders who recruited members of minorities to do their bidding and enslave their own people. If this book is to be believed, then this is the natural order of things.
If you doubt this, consider that we are invited to “Eat a snack with Brown and Black.” Once again it is demonstrated and reinforced how the power structure feeds off of and subjugates minorities.
Still not convinced?
Then, why is father, a white male in a business suit and a clear member of the power structure, the only who is capable of reading “big words too, like Constantinople and Timbuktu?” Clearly a good education has been denied the folks of lower orders and minorities, like Mr. Brown, and Mr. Black, and Pat. Red is clearly too busy being promiscuous to take an interest.
It’s all about preserving the power structure, and indroctinating our children at an early age in order to maintain the status quo.
