March 11 2021
Cancel culture? Meh. Librarians used to tough issues, so leaders say they ll seek a community balance.
Dr. Seuss books always tickle
His publisher put some in a pickle
Decision to let books fade isn t so humdrum
Oh no! Oregon libraries face a conundrum
Attempts at mostly clever rhymes aside, when Dr. Seuss publisher decided to no longer license or sell six particular titles, Oregon s public libraries didn t flinch. They mostly shrugged.
On March 2, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that six of the children s books would no longer be published or licensed because they include images and text that portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.
Image: AP (AP)
The right has attached itself to the latest casualty of the cancel culture wars: Late children’s book author Dr. Seuss.
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On Tuesday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the organization which owns the rights to the books and characters of Theodor Seuss Geisel better known as Dr. Seuss announced that it would no longer distribute or license a handful of Seuss books that include outdated racist caricatures and contradict their “mission” of “hope, inspiration, inclusion, and friendship.”
“[Dr. Seuss Enterprises], working with a panel of experts, including educators, reviewed our catalog of titles and made the decision last year to cease publication and licensing of the following titles:
Photo: Joe Raedle (Getty Images)
Though some of his verses have been known to pack a political punch, prolific writer Theodor Seuss “Ted” Geisel or Dr. Seuss has definitely missed the mark more than once, employing racist caricatures packaged for young audiences. Of course, none of those instances would pass muster today (ideally, anyway) and on Tuesday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises attempted to fall in step with today’s audience by ceasing all publications of six titles due to their racist illustrations.
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The company released the following statement announcing the decision:
“Today, on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises celebrates reading and also our mission of supporting all children and families with messages of hope, inspiration, inclusion, and friendship. We are committed to action. To that end, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, working with a panel of experts, including educators, reviewed our catalog of titles and made the decision last year to cease publica
How to Read Across America Without Dr. Seuss
Photo: Ron Ellis (Shutterstock)
It’s Read Across America Day, which means millions of school children across the country will be celebrating today (or even all week) with Dr. Seuss-themed activities. The day, created by the National Education Association in 1998 to coincide with Dr. Seuss’ birthday, no longer has an official affiliation with the well-known children’s book author but schools often still connect the festivities to an author who used racist imagery in some of his classic books.
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Parents and educators have become increasingly aware of and vocal about the racist depictions of some of characters in Theodor Seuss Geisel’s famous children’s books, as well as in the political cartoons, comics, and advertisements he illustrated, as detailed in a 2019 study,
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Plus: answers to some philosophical questions (because why not).
The Buy Area Staff
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Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going? And, most importantly, what s on sale while it s all happening? We can t help you with the first three, buy baby, have we got some answers for question number four.
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