If you’ve been on Fox News for the past few days, you may feel that Dr. Seuss has been “canceled” in America. You probably won’t be surprised to find out that it’s not that simple.
As Stephen Colbert explained in his Late show monologue Tuesday night, Dr. Seuss Enterprises decided not to publish six rather obscure titles from the iconic children’s author, as they contain “racist and insensitive images.”
“It’s a responsible move on their part,” said the host. “There has been no overwhelming outcry, but I recognize the impact that these images could have on readers, especially children, and try to fix it, because Dr. Seuss’s books should be fun for everyone – Black, white, straight, gay, Sneetches, both star-studded and simple, Loraxes, Barb-a-loots, all of Whoville and the strange angry creature called Foo Foo the Snoo. ”
Colbert went on to highlight only a few of Dr. Seuss’s books that “teach vital lessons to this day,” including anti-war. The battle book with butter, environmental Lorax and Hop on Pop, which “warns against the dangers of pop-jump”.
“Dr. Seuss’s people listened to the criticism, thought it was reasonable, and made what is called a change,” he added. “Or as it is known on Fox News: cancel the culture.”
After playing a montage that just scratched the surface of how much Fox obsessed the story this week, culminating in a complete meltdown of Donald Trump Jr., Colbert said, “I’m not surprised by Don Jr.’s love. Cat in hat, I always thought I could read at a second grade level. I also think his father calls him Eric “Thing One” and “Thing Two.” ”
Finally, Colbert read aloud from a new Seussian book called “Oh, the Books You Can Read,” which began: “So the news about the books you heard today just took you goose. And now you’re defensive for old Dr. Seuss. If you find that your bookshelf has just become a little more boring, consider these children’s books from people of color. ”
“There are a lot of new stories that you might find pretty good,” he continued, “like. Imani’s moon by Janay Brown-Wood. Want more suggestions? No need to keep hoping. Just pick it up Firebird by Misty Copeland. And this right here is the real real McCoy, it’s the great book by Thomisha Booker Brown Boy Joy. There is a whole range of books that will make you feel happy, as it is called Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry. ”
“So don’t be so canceled, cultural, weeping,” Colbert concluded. “Read these books after you pulled your head off the hiney.”
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