Now Dr. Seuss is canceled: Virginia school system drops children's favorite from Read Across America day because of 'racial undertones' in his writing

A Virginia school system has dropped Dr. Seuss from an annual event to encourage reading as district leaders accused the beloved author's books having 'strong racial undertones.'

The Loudon County schools will shift the 'emphasis' of the annual Read Across America day on March 2 away from Seuss and toward books more 'inclusive and diverse and reflective of our student community,' a spokesman said.

Seuss, whose real name is Theodor Geisel, had been the face of the annual Read Across America day for more than 20 years. A report has accused his children's stories of featuring 'orientalism, anti-blackness and white supremacy'.

Loudoun schools spokesman Wayde B. Byard, said recent research had revealed 'strong racial undertones in many books written/illustrated by Dr. Seuss,' The Washington Post reported.

'Given this research, and LCPS' focus on equity and culturally responsive instruction, LCPS has provided guidance to schools in the past couple of years to not connect Read Across America Day with Dr. Seuss' birthday exclusively,' Byard said.

Byard insisted that the books had not been banned outright - and that students could still access Seuss in the district's libraries and classrooms, but that the March 2 event would not 'simply celebrate Dr. Seuss.'

His comments come following a 2019 report called 'The Cat is Out of the Bag: Orientalism, Anti-Blackness, and White Supremacy in Dr. Seuss's Children's Books'.

That report states: 'White supremacy is seen through the centering of Whiteness and White characters, who comprise 98% (2,195 characters) of all characters.

'Notably, every character of color is male. Males of color are only presented in subservient, exotified, or dehumanized roles. This also remains true in their relation to White characters.

'Most startling is the complete invisibility and absence of women and girls of color across Seuss' entire children’s book collection.

'In addition, some of Dr. Seuss' most iconic books feature animal or non-human characters that transmit Orientalist, anti-Black, and White supremacist messaging through allegories and symbolism.'

Author Geisel has already come under fire for using 'stereotypical Orientalist tropes', according to a report by researchers Katie Ishizuka and Ramón Stephens.

Decades later when Geisel was called out on these cartoons he said it was 'just the way things were 50 years ago' and claimed that feminists wanted to 'clean up everything'.

In 2017 Cambridgeport Elementary School librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro rejected a gift of several Dr Seuss books from Melania Trump, saying their whimsical illustrations were 'steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes'.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9309455/Now-Dr-Seuss-faces-cancel-Virginia-school-says-books-strong-racial-undertones.html

*****************************************

Now Norman Stanley Fletcher falls victim to the woke police: BBC puts 'offensive language' warning on iPlayer versions of classic prison sitcom Porridge

A beloved British character

The BBC have attached an 'offensive language' warning on iPlayer episodes of classic prison sitcom Porridge.

The programme revolves around protagonist Norman Stanley Fletcher, played by Ronnie Barker, serving time at the fictional HM Prison Slade in Cumberland with cellmate Lennie Godber, played by Richard Beckinsale.

Fans of the 1970s comedy have hit out after one episode featured a warning, advising viewers that the programme 'reflects the broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time', adding: 'Some viewers may find this content offensive'.

Twitter user Andrew Denisovan who posted a picture of the warning online, said: 'Logged onto BBC iPlayer this evening as they have every series of Porridge. Made in mid 70s.

'Got this warning as soon as I selected it. Logged off immediately as I'm easily offended!'

Another fan tweeted: 'Porridge has a warning message now on BBCiPlayer – I give up.'

A third said: 'Why have the @BBC put an advisory notice on Porridge? This nonsense has to stop. One of the greatest ever sitcoms.'

In one episode of the programme, Fletcher told a prison escort 'You'd have to be Sidney Poitier' to serve in London's Brixton Prison, while in another he calls prisoner McLaren a 'poof'.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9309011/BBC-puts-offensive-language-warning-iPlayer-versions-classic-prison-sitcom-Porridge.html

***********************************

My other blogs. Main ones below:

http://edwatch.blogspot.com (EDUCATION WATCH)

http://dissectleft.blogspot.com (DISSECTING LEFTISM)

http://antigreen.blogspot.com (GREENIE WATCH)

http://pcwatch.blogspot.com (POLITICAL CORRECTNESS WATCH)

http://australian-politics.blogspot.com/ (AUSTRALIAN POLITICS)

http://awesternheart.blogspot.com.au/ (THE PSYCHOLOGIST)

https://heofen.blogspot.com/ (MY OTHER BLOGS)

*******************************