Numerous other popular children’s series have been criticized in recent years for alleged racism. As grown-ups, we have to examine the worldview we are creating for our children, including carefully re-examining our favorites,” Rebekah Fitzsimmons, an assistant teaching professor at Carnegie Mellon University, tweeted. Books shape their world view and tell them how to relate to the people, places, and ideas around them. “The books we share with our children matter. Well done, everyone,” conservative commentator and author Ben Shapiro tweeted. “We’ve now got foundations book burning the authors to whom they are dedicated. The move to cease publication of the books drew immediate reaction on social media from those who called it another example of “cancel culture.” The National Education Association, which founded Read Across America Day in 1998 and deliberately aligned it with Geisel’s birthday, has for several years deemphasized Seuss and encouraged a more diverse reading list for children. Seuss is by millions around the world for the positive values in many of his works, including environmentalism and tolerance, there has been increasing criticism in recent years over the way Blacks, Asians and others are drawn in some of his most beloved children’s books, as well as in his earlier advertising and propaganda illustrations. Seuss Enterprises (DSE) and the work of the panel that reviewed this content last year, and their recommendation.”Īs adored as Dr. Seuss’ publisher, issued a brief statement Tuesday: “We respect the decision of Dr. 2 on its highest-paid dead celebrities of 2020, behind only the late pop star Michael Jackson. “How could a person so right-minded on so many issues, be so bad here? In that sense, I think make it a teaching moment, rather than ‘cancel culture,’ or whatever the right phrase is.He remains popular, earning an estimated $33 million before taxes in 2020, up from just $9.5 million five years ago, the company said. “How many writers from the 1940s and ‘50s are we still reading today?” Minear says. Seuss books remain in print for future generations of children to discover. And while it is the end of the story for these six titles, dozens of beloved Dr. There will now be fewer visits to Mulberry Street. That's a healthy relationship to have with any art.” Doesn't mean that he is also not the product of a racist society, which shaped his imagination in ways that create damage in his books and create images that damage others,” he says. “Just because someone is popular or a genius, doesn't mean that he's beyond reproach. Seuss should continue to be celebrated as an artist and poet, Nel says. (Photo by Griffin Harrington for VOA)ĭespite a mixed legacy, Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in Theodor Seuss Geisel's hometown of Springfield, Mass. He published political cartoons during World War II containing harmful stereotypes of Japanese Americans that questioned their patriotism. Geisel’s racist imagery exists outside of his popular children’s books. “And we can still have those informational conversations, even with these depictions that may be harmful or are harmful, to how we develop thoughts about other cultures. Our job is to enlighten, enrich and inform our community,” Homer says. “Removing these books because people might object very much goes against what we stand for as a public library. Two of the banned titles have not been in circulation at the library for years, but the ones the library does own will remain on the shelves. Only one - "The Cat in the Hat" - was among the top 100 children's titles checked out last year. Seuss books are not particularly popular at his libraries. “The librarians have known about this for a long time and have been discussing this for decades,” says Jason Homer, executive director of the Worcester Public Library, located near the museum. The mural depicted a Chinese character with slanted eyes, chopsticks and a pointed hat. Seuss Museum in Geisel’s hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, removed a mural after some authors refused to visit the museum in protest. So, you know, he's a giant in the world of American children's literature.”Īllegations of racist stereotypes in the author’s work are not new. “It's been estimated that one out of four children receive, as its first book, a Dr. Seuss is one of the dominant figures,” says Nel, who also directs the children's literature program at Kansas State University. During a prolific career that spanned decades and produced dozens of books, he used playful, rhythmic language, an anti-authoritarian tone, and whimsical, often outlandish, illustrations to help teach millions of children to read. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, died in 1991. Seuss Enterprises has pulled from publication. An Arab caricature in "If I Ran the Zoo," one of six books by Dr.
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