Controversy over Dr. Seuss. What are your thoughts about this event? Should Dr. Seuss be removed from school's and bookstores? Is this the appropriate response or is it a negative example of cancel culture against free speech?

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Controversy over Dr. Seuss. What are your thoughts about this event? Should Dr. Seuss be removed from school's and bookstores? Is this the appropriate response or is it a negative example of cancel culture against free speech?

3/5/2021

50 Comments

Santana, Bryan / P.5

3/5/2021 09:24:08 am

Removing Dr. Suess' books from schools and bookstores would be a negative example of cancel culture and give the public a bad perception of this movement which will harbor hate and resentment due to their strong ties and emotional bonds to these books. However, choosing to edit and then remove the older versions of the book would create a better image for this movement as a progessive one rather than one that is used to cancel things outright as the media seems to portray and monger.

Mr. Lawson

3/5/2021 09:37:27 am

Bryan, I agree with your position in that the removal of these books can be perceived as a negative example of "cancel culture." America is built upon racial caste system in which I have heard recently acknowledged as "racism being the father to race" and not the other way around. In other words, American culture is rooted in white supremacist beliefs that have been supported and upheld by images, language, and law.

In the case of Dr. Seuss, cartoons like "Waiting for the Signal from Home" reinforce racist imagery and prejudice notions of people of Japanese descent all looking the same and being of the same mindset. This complete is ignorant to the reality that Japanese descended people look and think different from one another. It is in my opinion that we must analyze these sources in their primary form so we may a fuller understanding of era they come from and how it relates to our present world.

As people deepen their understanding of topics of racism past and present it is important for them to have the freedom to choose to continue or ignore racism or be anti-racist.

Santana, Bryan / P.5

3/9/2021 09:42:21 am

If people continue to ignore the problems of the past then they will continue to haunt us in the future. Doctor Suess had a two sided career raising the children of the US but harming margionilzed groups within, we must weigh the pro's and con's of his impact and choose to reform the way we look at a man who many of us grew up adoring based on what we've learned.Your last statement made me recall an old but relevant quote, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem" and it is for that reason that I completely agree with you.

Jasmine Flores (per.5)

3/5/2021 09:24:31 am

I honestly think he is not being racist but I do see now how the characters are betrayed in his stories. I think Dr.Seuss should not be removed from schools or bookstores because he writes amazing books for children. This is not a negative example of cancel culture against free speech in my opinion.

Cassidy Lopez P5

3/5/2021 09:24:50 am

My thoughts about Dr.Suess books being removed from bookstores are unfair. I agree with the books being offensive to different races but I also believe they are apart of history, the six books show a part of history. In conclusion they books shouldn't be in school library's or in classrooms but I still think they should be sold in bookstores for those who are interested.

benjamin ordono p5

3/5/2021 09:31:29 am

My thoughts about this event is that this one book is racist and the other book can change the characters.Well I don't believe it should be schools but it just should be in libraries or in just some book stores.Well removing the Dr. Sesus books from schools and book stores is a negative example of cancel culture against free speech and it just gives the media or the public a bad image.

Mr. Lawson

3/5/2021 10:49:46 am

Ben, I agree with your point that removing the books from schools can be perceived as a negative example of "cancel culture." I wonder if those who think it is negative have a true or full understanding of racism and the caste system it upholds.

I am hopeful that this moment will push the country to increase the frequency in which the discussions are being had in and around schools.

naaliyah p5

3/5/2021 09:58:04 am

i think they should take them off the shelves because they are apart of racism and there are images of thing that relate to racism.

Mr. Lawson

3/5/2021 10:51:37 am

Naaliyah,

I agree with you. Take down all racism. And before we do let's make sure everyone knows why is had to come down.

Maria Alicia :D

3/5/2021 10:52:03 am

Although i do agree that some of the books are somewhat offensive and considered 'racist', i believe they shouldn't be taken off the shelves since 'more' people should be aware about the messages portray in the stories, not just looking at the frames of it :)

Mr. Lawson

3/5/2021 10:57:36 am

Maria,

I agree with your point that the books should stay on the shelves. I think conversations about the books, their imagery, and story matter are important to understanding American culture in both past and present.

Arnell Golden

3/5/2021 11:00:44 am

Agree to disagree, some people may take it to heart, others may consider it. Everyone will not feel the same. Being black, I find it offensive.

Maria E

3/5/2021 11:23:31 am

I agree with you and Arnell. I think that it's good to be aware of these things but at the same time people will take offense to it.

Arnell Golden P6

3/5/2021 10:53:05 am

The cancellation of the books are reasonable. Stocking racist imagery in schools and libraries are insensitive, considering most people moved past the fact race should not be a comical topic anymore. However, the action creates awareness in adults and young adults, racism is very much imprinted in our surrounding, someway somehow. I think the decision was justified!

Victoria Gonzalez p.6

3/5/2021 11:00:59 am

My thoughts on the Dr.Suess books being removed from libraries and schools is that I agree with what they did. I understand that he might have not thought as them as bring racist but these books are going to be read to children who are barely are learning and will believe anything they are told so I think reading books like that to them would just set a bad example because they are too young to understand but I do think if the people wish to have the opportunity to read the books the their kids to teach them how the world is and prepare them about the world they are going to be living in them that’s understandable too. It’s really just mixed feelings about the topic because both people who want to keep the books up and take them down both have their set of valid reasons to support why they have decided that

Mr. Lawson

3/5/2021 11:32:30 am

Victoria,

I really like when you wrote "people who want to keep the books up and take them down both have their set of valid reasons to support why they have decided that." I think this is a mature and important viewpoint. People don't hold beliefs systems in a vacuum. Too often we neglect the reasons why people believe the things that they do. I think education and discussion leads to deeper understandings where people ultimately make their own decisions.

The books should be read, analyzed and discussed within the context of their authorship and in through the lens of today's society.

Sergio Quintanilla p:7

3/5/2021 11:31:47 am

I think this topic can be very sensitive because some people will find it very offensive and others will not. I believe it is something that should be up for a discussion because people have different views on these books. Some people may get offended by these characters but others won't have a problem. I can see why people may say it is offensive because of the way these characters are portrayed.

Mr. Lawson

3/5/2021 11:35:54 am

Sergio,

You make a good point when bringing up the sensitivity surrounding the topic of racism and racist imagery, I think typically the people who do not find racism offensive are not subject to the negative aspects of it. In fact they usually benefit from the racism.

Ultimately, this is a part of the problem. Injustice caused by racism in our society will not be upended if it is not challenged, engaged, and changed.

David Esquives

3/9/2021 11:52:43 am

I agree because like it´s true there are some people that don´t see the offensiveness but at the same time there are people who do. For this situation based off how some people feel offended and how most say don´t and others say yes i believe that it should all be up for discussion to discuss about what their solution will be for this argument towards the people getting offended by these books.

David Esquives

3/5/2021 11:36:00 am

Honestly being 100% honest i have no clue why our world today is still continuing racism after years that it shouldve stopped by now; i believe by removing those books is more of a good thing, that way children dont learn from the racism of those books. Its annoying to both hear and see racism happening anywhere on earth just because of their skin, religion, or anything. In my opinion anything to keep the racism books or anything away from the younger generations would be great so that way the racism can stop for that generation in the future.

Rosa Bravo-Valle

3/5/2021 12:03:36 pm

I think that there are many different types of topic in the books.But some of them like get the kids attection and well some can and some not. Dr Sue, books are fun to read.
Also it mixes feelings in different types of ways even thought you do not see or feel the mostions.

Mark Salgado

3/5/2021 12:11:42 pm

I think that books that secretly portray such racist topics should be cancelled! A lot of people/children grew up reading these kid friendly books and are astonished by how even kids books can be promoting racist topics.

naaliyah p5

3/9/2021 08:59:49 am

Mark, i agree with you because many of us grew up reading these books and we are just now finding out and realizing that there is racism in these books.

Francisco Rangel

3/5/2021 09:23:52 pm

I think this topic can be very sensitive because some people will find it very offensive and others will not because some people may or may not like it

Oscar Alfaro

3/8/2021 09:14:11 am

I agree with the people when they say to take down his books that portray racial stereotypes. This type of thing isnt apart of cancel culture due to this being a real big serious matter in todays society due to current events.

Mr. Lawson

3/8/2021 09:19:00 am

Oscar,

I see you wrote, "this being a real big serious matter in today's society due to current events." I am curious to know what events you are referring to. I agree with you that the notion of this being "cancel culture" is a lazy argument. Dr. Seuss is not nor hasn't been canceled at all. I do think the fact the organization that protects and promotes his work made the decision to cease publication of some works. This is not canceling anything yet encouraging deeper conversation and analysis of historic content and how it impacts our society.

oscar alfaro

3/8/2021 09:22:25 am

The current events i was refering to were the the blm, the killing of people of colors, and social profiling events that took place last year and this year. Also the fact that the publishers say they see what the people are saying but seem to not care as long as they make a profit in my opinion

Denise

3/8/2021 09:30:14 am

I think they should just leave the books in libraries and remove them from schools. The books have been out for years and now all of a sudden they have a big problem about them. Yes they do show some racism but some children don't see anything bad in them they just read it because they like his books.they have innocent minds and are to young to understand.

Cassidy Lopez P5

3/9/2021 08:57:45 am

Denise I agree, young children aren't aware of the racism in these books but soon enough they will start to understand when they could've simply removed the books and have no future problems.

Vicente Gladin

3/8/2021 10:36:20 am

I think that this was a good decision, I feel like they could just redesign the characters and take away all the stereotypes. I think that the things those characters depicted could lead kids to believe those stereotypes and that its a good idea to remove things that teach kids stereotypes.

Katherine Juarez P2

3/8/2021 10:39:38 am

I think that the Dr. Seuss books that portray racist stereotypes should stop being published. No longer making the books available to children, libraries, and schools is an appropriate response of "cancel culture".

I don't believe that all his books should be taken off the shelves.

Kaleb Sims

3/8/2021 10:40:48 am

I think this a negative reflection of cancel culture. thought the book have racist i don't think they should stop being published completely. i agree with them being removed from school or but i think they sure still get published to libraries. i think the book are apart of history and show a reflection of how it was back then. i think removing the books are removing not only Dr suess history and legacy, but also removing part of the worlds history and how far we came.

Andy Lopez P2

3/8/2021 10:40:51 am

Really? Here is something about "making fun of a culture". The argument that "That's offensive" is very ambiguous. Offensive for who? and why? and do even that culture find it offensive or if just you wanting to be special and cry about something?
Short story, I don't remember the video, but in a video talking about the "cultural appropriation" there was an excellent example of why this is stupid. Speedy Gonzales, a cartoon character from the loony toons that is a parody of a Mexican in the most exaggerated way has never been cancelled, not hated by Mexican (not chicanos, they don't count). In fact, he is loved there. He is the best character to cancel, he is a mexican that lives in a dessert, always wears a Mexican sombrero, knows how to run, yells "JAY JAY JAY", and overall he, the loony toons representation of a mexican, it's a freaking rat. BUT HE IS LOVED. Why? because not even the mexicans take him seriously. They know that it is a cartoon and so the creators. Because of it they laugh, because it is a parody and never ever it is taked seriously. His Mexican characteristics are made just so the kid says "Oh, I get it, it's from Mexico". That's it.
AND THEN PEOPLE CRY ABOUT A CARTOON CHINESE GUY WITH LINES FOR EYES, ARE YOU STUPID?

Mr. Lawson

3/8/2021 12:02:12 pm

Andy, You make some interesting points. My question to you is in regards to "Speedy Gonzales." To what extent should we consider the intent behind these images and caricatures. I wonder of the intent behind "Speedy" is to truly represent and celebrate Mexican culture or is it an example of exaggerated brownface stereotypes created to cheapen the existence of Mexican culture and people descendant from its land. Yes "Speedy" is loved. But why is he loved?

The most telling point in this situation with Dr. Seuss is that the company that promotes and sells his work made the decision to cease publication. I think the books should stay being sold unchanged. The conversations that can be had around them are necessary to understanding the countries view of race in the past and present.

Timothy Rendon P2

3/8/2021 10:41:35 am

I think that they really shouldn't touch the books, they have been out for a long time now so why mess with them most of us grew up reading Dr.Seuss ,but I mean people nowadays are always trying to look for something to turn they attention too like why change it now and not back then all of a sudden its an issue. I feel by taking these things away they think they are doing something righteous like they won't learn about these things as they grow older.

Monserrat Castorena P.2

3/8/2021 10:43:34 am

I think it's strange that people are attributing the books being removed on cancel culture when it's a decision that the company came to themselves after looking into. Also it's not for people that aren't affected by these stereotypes to speak on this. White people aren't represented by these stereotypes or understand the negative impacts that stereotypes and caricatures have on the people they are based on so they shouldn't have a say on this. It's just annoying that the majority of people saying that this generation is soft and that everything is getting cancelled are white and don't understand the negative impacts that racial stereotypes have had on people of color. If the company chooses to edit and take these books off the shelf then that is up to them. Ultimately it's the decision of the company to do what they see is fit for these books.

Ily Rodriguez P2

3/8/2021 10:50:39 am

my thoughts about this event is surprise knowing that many children grew up reading Dr.seuss books because of the characters. I think that they should remove Dr.seuss from schools and bookstores because of the racial imagery and it is not okay that children learn negative things about racism.

David Dotson Jr P2

3/8/2021 10:52:26 am

I get what they were saying about Dr.Seuss but they still need to know that when he was born it ways in the early 1900's. so yes the books may have a Little bit of racist slurs or what not. but overall his books are great to read

Bryan Quintana link

3/8/2021 11:52:09 am

its a good decision to just remove all the racist stuff and stereotypes so it wouldn't teach the kids about racism and stereotypes

Jose Hernandez per 3

3/8/2021 11:53:51 am

The discontinuation of the Dr.Suess books feels like censorship; I believe the media one wants to choose and enjoy is the problem of the consumer, regardless of the stereotypes. What will the impact of those books have, it seems a waste of energy this wave of cancel-culture it seems awful that an error a person makes can 'Cancel" you. I say this can spark a conversation instead of just cancelling, therefore people will just be afraid of getting caught or still hold those beliefs. I believe
in education.

Daniel Per. 3

3/8/2021 11:54:21 am

I think that these books should be banned from the market because it supports racial segregation and it spreads out hate against other cultures. But we also got to notice that Dr. Seuss was born around the time where they treated the inferior race as animals instead of human beings. We have to be more aware of things by reading things more carefully without having any trouble of understanding the situation.

Jose per3

3/8/2021 12:00:26 pm

I understand your viewpoint but how effective is it just to remove it; while its been on the market for so long?

Abigail Pelayo P2

3/8/2021 08:35:16 pm

I think it’s very important for parents to teach their children to treat everyone equally and with respect. Racism is reality and I believe it is important for people to learn about racial problems in the past in order to help better the situation today. It is also important to keep in mind that these books have been out for a long time. Yes, I do believe that the books are offensive but I also think that they show a part of our history and could be helpful in order for more people to become aware of the messages therefore, I don’t think they should be removed from libraries and bookstores but I do think they should be banned in schools. This way parents have control over what their children are reading, if they want their children to learn about these problems then they should have the option to teach them through these books.

Ashley Erazo P3

3/8/2021 09:26:43 pm

My thoughts on this event is they should just remove the books that are offensive and racist to people. What they can also do is just make some changes to those books that offend certain people like changing some characters. Removing all his books just from one day to another is not right. It will bring much confusion to kids especially. It's unfair to the kids because his books are very fun and entertaining to read to the kids so I think removing all his books is not right.

Isabele Quijano

3/9/2021 09:08:31 am

In my opinion I feel like these type of books should or for this situation Dr.Seuss books should stay to actually set kids an example, and teach them that this is not okay and we should never treat someone different just because of their race or skin color .

Melvin Mateo (Per.5)

3/9/2021 09:37:09 am

I think his books were wrong to implementing racist things in them. But he have to thing of the time he lived in it was fine back them because it was there way of life. In there eyes it was okay but in this time it isn't okay but you shouldn't take down the books just change them. Make them better of the time now instead of taking them down.

Isaac Romero P5

3/9/2021 10:02:46 am

I think they should leave the books because they are supposed to be for kids and they wouldn't understand or see that there's anything wrong or bad about the books.

Diego Rios

3/9/2021 10:29:01 am

Dr. Seuss books shouldn't be removed from schools and bookstores because this would be a negative example of cancel culture against free speech. Instead of canceling these books and discontinuing them they should re-edit these books then re-publish them after fixing those books.

Arnell Golden P6

3/9/2021 10:35:11 am

Racist imagery, in schools. Do you think this will create an image on students who come from Asian and Black lifestyles? It is an insult, standing by it, allowing it would be a poor response on the school's behalf as well as any other educational institutions. I respectfully disagree.

Jaqueline Torres per.3

3/10/2021 02:02:36 am

My thoughts about this event are that some people will agree and other people will disagree and is impossible please everyone. However, in my viewpoint Dr. Seuss should not be removed from school or bookstores because there will always be different opinions or perspectives of something as these books. For me these books are a good topic to discuss during classes and that students can defend their claims based on the reading. Also, I think that it is a negative example of cancel culture against free speech because it is a way of someone can express their ideas, thoughts, stories or facts that happened and if you cancel it, then you are canceling their voice and their way to talk. Based on the article Dr. Seuss Books Are Pulled, and a ‘Cancel Culture’ Controversy Erupts, a woman said "Folks are not remembering the text itself, they are remembering the affective experiences they had around those texts”. Which is interesting because it explain that people are not really upset for the text, they are offended by the connection that the text has with them.

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