Dr. Seuss’ legacy is under fire this morning after it was announced that six Dr. Seuss books will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery, the Associated Press reports. The decision is coming from the business that preserves and protects the author’s legacy, Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
“These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,” Dr. Seuss Enterprises told The Associated Press in a statement that coincided with the author’s birthday. “Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families.”
The six books in question are “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “If I Ran the Zoo,” “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra!,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!,” and “The Cat’s Quizzer.”
The images in question include an Asian person in the book ‘And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street’ portrayed wearing a conical hat and holding chopsticks while eating from a bowl, and a drawing in ‘If I Ran the Zoo’ of two bare-footed African men wearing what appear to be grass skirts with their hair tied above their heads.
The company, which was founded by Seuss’ family told AP News that the decision to cease publication and sales of these books was actually made last year after months of discussion.
“Dr. Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. We then worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review our catalog of titles,” the company said.
Even though youth all around the world have grown up with Dr. Seuss books, which have been praised for their positive values, there has been criticism in recent years over the way Black people, Asians and others are drawn in some of his children’s books, as well as his earlier advertising and propaganda illustrations.
School districts have also made headlines for moving away from Dr. Seuss books, though the books haven’t been outright banned. We’ll keep you posted on any updates.
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