I’m a liberal democrat horrified by the current Dr Seuss drama and normalization of censorship

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're a "liberal Democrat" like I'm the Queen of Sheba. Primarily, you need to learn what exactly censorship is.

That’s just rude?

I am a registered Democrat. Maybe you’re right that I’m not on the very farthest of the left at this point, because if this is what they want, I disagree.
But to do away with all potentially hurtful stereotypes portrayed throughout our history of literature and media is a slippery slope. How is this line about Chopsticks more hurtful than all of the “dumb blonde bimbo” tropes. Is Legally Blonde next to be shelved? (I’m trying to be lighthearted, about something that really does scare me for the future).

Maybe you’d like to defend the images of Black people that look pretty horrific instead of the chopstick one.

Although that you think that Asian people can be reduced to chopsticks, slanted eyes and geta.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would LOVE to know how much overlap there is between people like the OP, who is so deeply concerned about this censorship, and those who don't want books like "Heather Has Two Mommies" available for kids to read at the library.

I'm confident it's close to 100%.

I am too.

They are a private publisher and can do what they want. There are so many used copies of these books that are being sold.right now, you have your pick.

Just like I do, because the evangelicals have forced the library in my area to pull books I want to read off the shelves.

[Anonymous]

Did everyone gloss over my transcript from the View today?

Joy and Whoopi...the most liberal members of the bunch...both thought getting rid of the books was wrong. Both felt it’s better to use art (including these books) for discussion to foster understanding. Flag when the books were written, acknowledge it was a different time, highlight the racism, discuss why it’s racist, and affirm that we know better now.

Again: these are liberal voices saying this is going too far. These are not conservatives. These are not racists.

They are admittedly older, and I suspect there might be a generational divide on this topic. But these are comics who value free speech and abhor censorship. They also believe it’s better to talk about issues instead of bury them. There’s value in learning from past mistakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did everyone gloss over my transcript from the View today?

Joy and Whoopi...the most liberal members of the bunch...both thought getting rid of the books was wrong. Both felt it’s better to use art (including these books) for discussion to foster understanding. Flag when the books were written, acknowledge it was a different time, highlight the racism, discuss why it’s racist, and affirm that we know better now.

Again: these are liberal voices saying this is going too far. These are not conservatives. These are not racists.

They are admittedly older, and I suspect there might be a generational divide on this topic. But these are comics who value free speech and abhor censorship. They also believe it’s better to talk about issues instead of bury them. There’s value in learning from past mistakes.

LOL are the people on the View somehow authorities we need to respect and listen to? Did I miss something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did everyone gloss over my transcript from the View today?

Joy and Whoopi...the most liberal members of the bunch...both thought getting rid of the books was wrong. Both felt it’s better to use art (including these books) for discussion to foster understanding. Flag when the books were written, acknowledge it was a different time, highlight the racism, discuss why it’s racist, and affirm that we know better now.

Again: these are liberal voices saying this is going too far. These are not conservatives. These are not racists.

They are admittedly older, and I suspect there might be a generational divide on this topic. But these are comics who value free speech and abhor censorship. They also believe it’s better to talk about issues instead of bury them. There’s value in learning from past mistakes.

That's fine and dandy, but for the millionth time, this isn't censorship. This is a private enterprise that has decided to no longer print books that contain racist imagery.

And sure, it's easy to sit on the sidelines and criticize the decision. If I were the chairperson of the publisher, I would print new books with a disclaimer. But the decision to stop printing them is sensible and understandable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For goodness sake there are hundreds of thousands of books out there to choose from. If you really want this particular book go to one of the online used book sellers. Or just wait a while til it’s out of copyright and then publish it yourself.

Impossible to find them.

I’m sorry your internet is broken. Here you go - enjoy!

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-home-_-Results&an=Seuss&tn=Mulberry+street&kn=&isbn=

[Anonymous]

To put some things in perspective:

This is one of the objectionable Dr. Seuss ads, for the insecticide Flit:


From: If I Ran the Zoo


A cartoon:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For goodness sake there are hundreds of thousands of books out there to choose from. If you really want this particular book go to one of the online used book sellers. Or just wait a while til it’s out of copyright and then publish it yourself.

Impossible to find them.

Contact the publisher and purchase the rights.

How much are the rights? Is it $9.99 like the books or a little higher?

I have no idea. It may be $10 or it may be $10 million dollars. If you have the money, you are free to offer to buy them. No one owes you a reasonably priced book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did everyone gloss over my transcript from the View today?

Joy and Whoopi...the most liberal members of the bunch...both thought getting rid of the books was wrong. Both felt it’s better to use art (including these books) for discussion to foster understanding. Flag when the books were written, acknowledge it was a different time, highlight the racism, discuss why it’s racist, and affirm that we know better now.

Again: these are liberal voices saying this is going too far. These are not conservatives. These are not racists.

They are admittedly older, and I suspect there might be a generational divide on this topic. But these are comics who value free speech and abhor censorship. They also believe it’s better to talk about issues instead of bury them. There’s value in learning from past mistakes.

Who is doing the censoring?

If they want to read these to their children no one is stopping them.

Are you suggesting parents MUST read these books, that you want to force people to read them?

[Anonymous]

Here you go, OP. Better start yelling at Steven King and Madonna and Carl Sagan and Nora Roberts and Norman Rockwell and Madonna and all the other authors of books that have gone out of print. For varying reasons, every single one of these books are out of print, but lo and behold, still available for purchase.

https://www.bookfinder.com/books/bookfinder_report/BookFinder_Report_2013.mhtml

What a ridiculous thing to be upset about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For goodness sake there are hundreds of thousands of books out there to choose from. If you really want this particular book go to one of the online used book sellers. Or just wait a while til it’s out of copyright and then publish it yourself.

Impossible to find them.

Contact the publisher and purchase the rights.

How much are the rights? Is it $9.99 like the books or a little higher?

m

Once they’re in the public domain anyone can use them for free. Open access baby!

[Anonymous]

Love that cons have suddenly become fans of Dr Seuss!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here you go, OP. Better start yelling at Steven King and Madonna and Carl Sagan and Nora Roberts and Norman Rockwell and Madonna and all the other authors of books that have gone out of print. For varying reasons, every single one of these books are out of print, but lo and behold, still available for purchase.

https://www.bookfinder.com/books/bookfinder_report/BookFinder_Report_2013.mhtml

What a ridiculous thing to be upset about.

OP and other pearl-clutchers aren't looking for solutions, dude. They just want to look down their noses at people who recognize that racist imagery probably shouldn't appear in children's books.

Gotta hand it to Republicans, though. They're really good at contriving culture war wedges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did everyone gloss over my transcript from the View today?

Joy and Whoopi...the most liberal members of the bunch...both thought getting rid of the books was wrong. Both felt it’s better to use art (including these books) for discussion to foster understanding. Flag when the books were written, acknowledge it was a different time, highlight the racism, discuss why it’s racist, and affirm that we know better now.

Again: these are liberal voices saying this is going too far. These are not conservatives. These are not racists.

They are admittedly older, and I suspect there might be a generational divide on this topic. But these are comics who value free speech and abhor censorship. They also believe it’s better to talk about issues instead of bury them. There’s value in learning from past mistakes.

Who is doing the censoring?

If they want to read these to their children no one is stopping them.

Are you suggesting parents MUST read these books, that you want to force people to read them?

No, nobody is suggesting that.

My takeaway from their discussion is the fear is the slippery slope.

Joy actually did say if she were a teacher, she would use texts like this to foster discussion. Read the sentence, show the picture, etc. and ask students to point out the racism.

I personally think the Seuss co simply wants to dump books that aren’t profitable.

The larger issue imho is the takeaway today seems to be that Seuss was a racist, his books should no longer be read, and his legacy is forever tarnished. Note: he was removed from Read across America.

Will people forego gifting pregnant moms and toddlers with other Seuss books? I think they might. His name has been tarnished, and that’s the takeaway.

^^^This is the actual cancel aspect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For goodness sake there are hundreds of thousands of books out there to choose from. If you really want this particular book go to one of the online used book sellers. Or just wait a while til it’s out of copyright and then publish it yourself.

Impossible to find them.

I’m sorry your internet is broken. Here you go - enjoy!

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&cm_sp=SearchF-_-home-_-Results&an=Seuss&tn=Mulberry+street&kn=&isbn=

Sold out.