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Is It Time to Cancel Dr. Seuss Due to Racist Imagery?

Dora Mekouar

   Note: Due to the nature of this story, this article contains images
   that some might find offensive.

   Critics lambasted "woke" culture earlier this month after Dr. Seuss
   Enterprises announced it would no longer publish six of the celebrated
   author's books due to racist and insensitive imagery.

   Detractors accusedliberalsof"canceling"the beloved children's author
   who sold more than 650 millionbooksworldwide. But it was the company
   founded by Dr. Seuss's family that decided to stop printing the six
   books because they "portray people in ways that are [1]hurtful and
   wrong."

   'Hurtful and wrong'

   The offensive images in the canceled books contain disturbing racist
   stereotypes of Black people, Asians and Arabs.
   A caricature of the inhabitants of an African island in "If I Ran the
   Zoo," one of the six books by Dr. Seuss that Dr. Seuss Enterprises has
   pulled from publication. (Punk Rock Preschool/YouTube)

   "He often sees national or ethnic or racial difference as exotic and as
   fun, or as funny," says Philip Nel, a distinguished professor of
   English at Kansas State University and author of "Dr. Seuss: American
   Icon."

   "In highlighting the exotic of somebody, or the otherness of somebody
   as a point of amusement, you are telling people that national or ethnic
   or racial difference can be the punch line, and that is painful if you
   are a member of the group who is the punch line."

   The canceled books include"And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry
   Street";"If I Ran the Zoo";"McElligot's Pool,On
   BeyondZebra!";"Scrambled EggsSuper!";and"The Cat's Quizzer."
   Asian caricatures in "If I Ran the Zoo," one of six books by Dr. Seuss
   that Dr. Seuss Enterprises has pulled from publication. (Punk Rock
   Preschool/YouTube) An Arab caricature in "If I Ran the Zoo," one of six
   books by Dr. Seuss that Dr. Seuss Enterprises has pulled from
   publication. (Punk Rock Preschool/YouTube)

   Iconic author

   Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, died in 1991.
   During a prolific career that spanned decades and produced dozens of
   books,heused playful,rhythmic language, an anti-authoritarian tone,and
   whimsical, often outlandish, illustrations to help teach millions of
   children to read.

   "In American children's literature, Dr. Seuss is one of the dominant
   figures," says Nel, who also directs the children's literature program
   at Kansas StateUniversity. "It's been estimated that one out of four
   childrenreceive, as its first book, a Dr. Seuss book. So, you know,
   he's a giant in the world of American children's literature."

   Allegations of racist stereotypes in the author's work arenotnew.
   TheAmazing World ofDr. Seuss Museum in Geisel's hometown of
   Springfield, Massachusetts, removed a mural after some authors refused
   to visit the museum in protest. The mural depicted a Chinese character
   with slanted eyes, chopsticks and a pointed hat.

   "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,locatednear themuseum.

   Homer says Dr. Seussbooks arenot particularly popular at his libraries.
   Only one --"The Cat in the Hat"-- was among the top 100 children's
   titles checked out last year. Two of the banned titles havenot been in
   circulation at the library for years, but the ones the library does own
   will remain on the shelves.

   "Removing these books because people might object very much goes
   against what we stand for as a public library. We want to provide
   materials. Our job is to enlighten, enrich and inform our community,"
   Homer says. "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. However, we did not remove
   the books."

   Political cartoons

   Geisel's racist imagery exists outside of his popular children's books.
   He published political cartoons during World War II containing harmful
   stereotypes of Japanese Americans that questioned their patriotism.
   "Waiting for the Signal from Home," a political cartoon by Dr. Seuss,
   caricatured Japanese Americans and questioned their patriotism.
   (University of California San Diego)

   Historian Richard Minear, author of "Dr. Seuss Goes to War," says
   Geisel, who was of German ancestry, was a contradiction in that he
   avoided stereotyping Europeans and did promote anti-racism themes.

   "He's very pro-Black-white race relations.Is very against
   anti-Semitism," Minear says. "The one blind spot... is his depictions