George Washington slave book pulled after criticism

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

George Washington slave book pulled after criticism

18 January 2016 Entertainment & Arts

A children's picture book about George Washington and his slaves has been pulled by publishers Scholastic.

A Birthday Cake for George Washington tells the story of Washington's slave Hercules, a cook, and his daughter.

It had been criticised for its images of smiling slaves, and described as being "highly problematic".

Scholastic said in a statement that without more historical context, the book "may give a false impression of the reality of the lives of slaves".

The book, telling the story of Hercules and Delia making a cake together, had been released on 5 January.

It was met with a barrage of one-star reviews on Amazon, with readers describing it as "disgustingly inaccurate", and one writing: "I can't believe people are celebrating a children's story that depicts happy, joyful slaves."

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35342658

[randys1]

1. This is what is being taught in schools that use the textbooks coming out of Texas

History is being bought

[SusanCalvin]

2. Wow.

I'm shaking my head that it got as far as being published. What year, let alone century, let alone millennium, do they think it is??

[Number23]

5. I was just about to type one word... WOW... until I saw your post

I have no idea where this compulsion to pretend that slaves were happy as clams, just loving being ripped from their homes, torn from their families and forced to do back breaking work for people they despised came from.

But it is becoming more and more commonplace and I am genuinely afraid that there are forces at work to try to make this into some pseudo reality taught in schools and embraced around the world.

[pnwmom]

6. Did you read this blog post by an African American Scholastic editor

before Scholastic changed its collective mind and withdrew the book?

http://oomscholasticblog.com/post/proud-slice-history

A Birthday Cake for George Washington ― like all books that touch upon slavery ― presents tremendous opportunities for “teachable moments” with children, and for opening an important dialogue. I encourage you to enjoy this book with young readers, and while doing so, please listen to their reactions, and please talk to them about facts, fictions, and the complex history of our nation.

[Number23]

8. I'm glad that you posted that.

It shows that even black folks are happy to perpetuate the lie of the happy slave if it will help them keep their job.

[pnwmom]

9. Very sad. n/t

[pnwmom]

7. This is what an African American editor at Scholastic had to say:

(before Scholastic changed its collective mind and withdrew the book)



http://oomscholasticblog.com/post/proud-slice-history

A Birthday Cake for George Washington ― like all books that touch upon slavery ― presents tremendous opportunities for “teachable moments” with children, and for opening an important dialogue. I encourage you to enjoy this book with young readers, and while doing so, please listen to their reactions, and please talk to them about facts, fictions, and the complex history of our nation.

[SusanCalvin]

10. That would be fine if it were presented realistically, but

then it wouldn't be suitable for young children.

[pnwmom]

11. Exactly. I don't know how you can present a fair depiction of slavery

for the ages 0-6 picture book crowd.

[NOLALady]

3. WHAT

in heavens name, were they thinking?!

[mcar]

4. SMH

What is wrong with people?