Schools in Virginia have canceled Dr.
Seuss from the educational system after finding strong racial undertones in the reads.
According to media reports, the educational system will no longer promote the book as a children’s favorite read because it feels the strong presence of ‘racial undertones’ in the author’s writing. The news comes from a yearly event that encourages the art of reading as many district leaders accused the famous author of making use of racially themed undertones.
Therefore, the Loudon County of schools went forward with the unanimous decision of shifting the focus of the yearly ‘Read Across America’ Day which is held on March 2nd, far away from Dr. Seuss and more towards books that support the idea of inclusiveness and diversity while reflecting greatly on the student community.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Seuss, whose real name was actually Theodor Deisel, was the true face of the event for 20 years. A recent report went as far as accusing him of featuring white supremacy, orientalism, and anti-blackness too.
Keeping in mind this research as well as the schools’ focus upon equity and great culturally responsive instruction- the LCPS has further gone on to provide great guidance to more schools in the past few years.
They claim that educational institutions should avoid linking the famous ‘Read Across America Day with Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
Media reports confirmed how the famous Dr. Seuss books were not banned outright. And that meant students could still gain access to the literary reads through libraries in the districts as well classrooms too. But clearly, the event on March 2nd would no longer celebrate Dr. Seuss.
Another report went on mentioning how how ‘notably, every character of color in the book is a male. In the same way, males of color were only presented in dehumanized roles as well as exotified and subservient positions.