Virginia school district says Dr.Seuss demoted as focus of reading event due to ‘RACIAL UNDERTONES’, denies complete ban
Facing public backlash over its alleged cancellation of Dr. Seuss on concern that his stories and illustrations are racist, a Virginia school district denied it banned the author but said it deprioritized his books.
The Loudon County Public Schools system near Washington, DC, clarified on Saturday that it merely downgraded Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) as the focus of annual "Read Across America Day" activities, brushing off reports that it cancelled the children’s author as “media rumour.”
Dating back more than two decades, the annual event falls on March 2, in recognition of the late Geisel's birthday. Dr. Seuss is the top-selling children's book author of all time.
Dr. Seuss books will continue to be available to students in Loudon County's libraries and classrooms, but the district said it has advised schools to "not connect Read Across America Day exclusively with Dr. Seuss' birthday." Research has revealed "strong racial undertones" in Dr. Seuss' writings and illustrations, which is contrary to the district's focus on "equity and culturally responsive instruction," Loudon County Public Schools said. The district added, "We continue to encourage our young readers to read all types of books that are inclusive, diverse and reflective of our student community."
The statement was issued after Fox News, the Daily Wire and other media outlets reported that the district had "cancelled" Dr. Seuss. While Dr. Seuss’ books have come under increased scrutiny in recent years, and have even been labelled “racist propaganda,” conservative critics of the revisionist agenda wasted no time in venting outrage at the rumoured ban on social media.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) alluded to a Dr. Seuss classic, "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" to take a jab at the progressives behind the crackdown. "One fish, two fish, red fish, really stupid left-wing censoring totalitarian asinine angry blue fish,” he tweeted on Saturday.
One fish,
two fish,
red fish,
really stupid left-wing censoring totalitarian asinine angry blue fish. https://t.co/Zz8z32hPJs
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, rolled out the red, blue and green carpet to disgruntled Virginians, suggesting they flee the Seuss-unfriendly state. "Hey, Virginia parents," Morrisey tweeted. "West Virginia welcomes you to move to our great state, where we don't ban Dr. Seuss books. Loudon County, Virginia, isn't far from the West Virginia line. Come over and check out the Mountain State."
Hey, Virginia parents: West Virginia welcomes you to move to our great state, where we don’t ban Dr. Seuss books.
Loudon County, VA isn’t far from the WV line — come over and check out the Mountain State! https://t.co/TT9EYY9Ya9
Conservative radio host Janet Parshall suggested that the move was an early sign spelling more censorship, imploring parents to speak out against the rumoured ban or be "silenced forever."
If parents don’t speak up now, they will be silenced forever...Virginia school system cancels Dr. Seuss, citing racial ‘undertones' in writings: report | Fox News https://t.co/Aex6YcP6jU
While Dr. Seuss remains hugely popular, boasting six of the 20 top-selling children’s books on Amazon.com, his words have become a source of controversy almost 30 years after his death.
Progressive activist group Learning for Justice, an offshoot of the Southern Poverty Law Center, has campaigned for schools to cancel Dr. Seuss. The group has cited research by Minnesota's St. Catherine University that alleged Dr. Seuss books are rife with "orientalism, anti-blackness and white supremacy." For example, the researchers speculated, the appearance of the Cat in "The Cat in the Hat" was influenced by "blackface performers," and he performed tricks for white children.
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