In many cases all you would have to do is remove one image from a page. In a few others, you might have to eliminate a page or two. It wouldn’t be necessary to throw out entire books.
-
It does not seem like a bad idea to include several authors for a Reading Day of diverse background.
-
I think people and art need to be considered in the light of their times. It would probably be fair to say a very small proportion of Seuss’ characters drew on racial stereotypes or were racist by modern standards. Since their role is incidental, I think it is reasonable they be updated, or have an explanation prompting positive discussion. I do not see reason to throw the baby out with the bath water, though. One might make similar claims about Asterix or Tintin.
-
His political cartoons are surprising but should be seen in light of then current events. Not much there. A pair of Pale Green Pants With Nobody Inside Them.
-
The article is clickbait. Seuss is not above criticism. But there is a reason his work is broadly admired. It’s very creative. Much of it encourages inclusivity and shows arguing about little differences is stupid.
BTW
As of 2018, Loudoun County had a median household income of $136,268.[6] Since 2008, the county has been ranked first in the U.S. in median household income among jurisdictions with a population of 65,000 or more.[7]
So, they can probably afford to expand their reading list beyond Dr. Seuss?
Let’s not forget that Dr. Suess was very mean to Charles Lindbergh.
https://gamespot1.cbsistatic.com/uploads/original/81/814377/3191089-7171344103-C31yI.jpg
I actually wonder how many works from before the 1960s that depict Blacks or Asians don’t sometimes use racial stereotypes. The Marx Brothers, Disney, Peter Pan. At the time, these were just standard ways of indicating racial identity. They meant the person was exotic, but not necessarily inferior.
They could start with Ezra Jack Keats, I suppose.
You’re saying this as a plus for Dr. Seuss I take it?
Minor nitpick. Jacqueline Woodson and Jane Yolen wrote, but did not illustrate, their books.
Yep.
Dr. Suess wasn’t very nice to the rest of the America First isolationist crowd either.
I have updated the title to more accurately reflect what is described
Thank you for that. Misleading titles are annoying.
He was pretty mean to Nazi sympathizers in general.
I laugh uproarously at this. Many, many actual schoolboards are populated by actual morons.
If I Ran the Zoo is the only book I’ve ever pulled from the library. I will use it to show students an example of how what is considered acceptable has changed over the decades.
the estate has agreed to pull 6 books Not any of the famous ones like Grinch or Cat in the Hat
The six books would make a good anthology book for those interested in the history of children’s literature and illustration. I have several reprint anthologies of Wil Eisner’s The Spirit comic strip from the 1940s with an extremely stereotyped physical depiction of the hero’s black sidekick, Ebony White. There is nothing racist about the character’s personality or habits, and it would have been a shame to lose those stories to the trash heap of History because of the way that character was drawn.
I’d be happier if the books were edited, in this specific case, to remove unpleasant stereotypes. But ultimately, the estate will do what it thinks best. I won’t miss the books, but there is a missed opportunity to educate or to donate their profits where they could do some good.
This would be my preference, too.
NYTimes says that in 1970’s editions of “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street”, a Chinaman was changed to a Chinese man.
not a surprise that Dr . Seuss books are now big sellers on Amazon . Probably ebay too.