Reaction Mixed After Decision To Stop Publishing 6 Dr. Seuss Books Over Racist Imagery Announced
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Six Dr. Seuss books will no longer be published due to their depictions of minorities, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced Tuesday, which happens to be Dr. Seuss's birthday and a date celebrated across the country as Read Across America Day.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises said they had worked with a panel of educators and other experts to review its catalog and made the decision last year to cease publication and licensing of "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."
"These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong," the statement from Dr. Seuss Enterprises said.
"Mulberry Street," for example, is the story of a boy who imagines fantastical scenes as he makes his way home from school. One of the scenes described and illustrated include a "Rajah, with rubies, perched high on a throne" on top of a blue elephant, while another has "A Chinese man who eats with sticks" alongside a chaotic parade.
"Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprise's catalog represents and supports all communities and families," the statement said.
But reactions to the announcement were mixed in the Southland.
"My kids love them, and I don't think there's anything wrong with them," Nicole Dierckman, a Santa Clarita parent, said. "I think there's so many good lessons in the books that teach diversity as it is. I don't know why they're thinking it's being a negative on diversity."
"If it's offensive to someone, you always want to consider that, right," Gabriel Palomo, another Santa Clarita parent, said. "So if other folks are letting you know that's offensive to them, I think it's a good thing."
