On March 2nd, (also Dr. Seuss's birthday)Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that they will no longer publishing 6 of the books written by the famous children's author and illustrator. The books "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street", "If I Ran The Zoo", "McElligot's Pool", "On Beyond Zebra", "Scrambled Eggs Supper!", and "The Cat's Quizzer" will no longer be produced because of offensive racial pictures/drawing in the books. Dr. Seuss Enterprises made the decision to take these books off the shelf because they didn't want to continue to publish books due to the fact that each one "portrays people in ways that are hurtful and wrong".
In 1937 Dr. Seuss published his first book, "And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" which is now being taken off the shelves. In the book there is an illustration of a Chinese man with slanted lines for eyes who is eating a bowl of rice with chopsticks. 41 years later Dr. Seuss himself made a change to the book. In an interview after he altered the book he said "At first I colored the character yellow and called him a 'Chinaman' because that was the way things were 50 years ago". In the current copy of the book he has taken the yellow color out and now calls him a 'Chinese man'. Dr. Seuss Enterprises worked with a pannel of experts and they looked through all the books published and decided which books had officncive immagray and showed steryotyped descriptions of specifically non-white characters. One of his more popular books "The Cat In The Hat" is currently being criticized because of racial undertones but as of right now it will still continue to be published.
In response to this news many people have gone to the internet and social media to voice their opinions on whether or not these books should be no longer published. People are really seeming to take this personal and some are genuinely upset about this decision. On the other hand some people saw the news and chose to hurry and buy the books before they can never see them again. Since the news was announced Amazon immediately saw multiple Dr. Seuss books rise to the top of their 'Best Sellers' list. Personally I have seen many people online very upset about these books being taken away because they were a large part of their childhood. I understand why Dr. Seuss Enterprises did this but it does make me sad that they are no longer being published
Do you think these books should have been taken off the shelves?
Do you think they will announce more books that will no longer be published?
Have you read any of these books?
Replies
I dont really know where I stand on this. Yes, the things DR. Seuss wrote about black people was very very very wrong and that is obviously racit. His other books are not racist, but should we be accepting normal books by someone who has made racist things in the past? it's a moral battle for sure.
Did I think this was wrong? Yes. However, these books were made how long ago. I understand that it was allowed back then. Currently it is frowned apon. I don't think they should've been taken off the shelf. I think they should be read to students. Teachers can explain why we don't use words like Dr Suess did.
I agree that it is wrong, and I also agree that they don't have to stop being published. It should be used as a teaching lesson on why it's bad. Maybe parts could be edited out, but not completely gotten rid of. Children do need to be taught why it's wrong though.
Personally, I do not think that any of these books should've been taken off of the shelves due to the fact that initially they were meant to entertain kids, not to be racist. I think that if people find more reason to, more books will be taken off the shelves, and eventually, Dr. Suess's books are no longer going to be sold. I have read every single one of those books as a child and they kept me entertained and they are what made me love to read.
I have grown up reading these books, just like most people our age have. I don't understand why this is just now such a big deal after these books have been around for a LONG time. I think that it is ridiculous that they are taking these books off of the shelves. These books are directed towards kids, not adults. The kids have no clue what is "racist" and just like the books for the way that they are.
I don't think they should be taken off of the shelf because they are just kids books. Yes, I believe that there will be more books that aren't published. I have read a bunch of Dr. Suess books.
They shouldn't have been taken off the shelves because they were genuinly good kids books and you have to look really really deep to even find it racist. Yeah I do see them announcing more books that won't be published. Finally, yes I have read a good chunk of Dr. Suess books.
I do not think that his books should be taken off because they were directed for kids to read. I think they are trying to stop more books from coming out so they can stop his line of books. I have read many of his books and even teachers have read these books.
NO! I am seriously tired of people saying this is racist and so they should take it down! I believe if it can do those books they can do other books. I have read some of these books when I was a kid and thought that it was cool. Now people are telling me they are RACISTS I do not believe anyone even thought they were racist at all and thought it was just one of the famous children's books. Now that these books are gone other books can replace them so their competitors could've purposely set this up just so they can be the most common childrens book.
I love these books and don't think they should be taken down as they are great easy reads for children. They will most likley announce more books just because in our world today everything that has to do with color or gender is getting judged and taken down. I have read many of these books when I was a child green eggs and ham being my favorite as someone who grew up reading these books I have no clue why they are being taken away.
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