General Discussion

sheshe2

(83,923 posts) Mon Jun 25, 2018, 05:08 PM Jun 2018

Laura Ingalls Wilder's Name Removed from Children's Book Award

The Associated Press reported on the move. The group explained in a statement on their website that, “This decision was made in consideration of the fact that Wilder’s legacy, as represented by her body of work, includes expressions of stereotypical attitudes inconsistent with ALSC’s core values of inclusiveness, integrity and respect, and responsiveness.” It’s not just the Manifest Destiny—in case you haven’t revisited lately, a piece at the Washington Post on the change provides some examples:

The book includes multiple statements from characters saying, “The only good Indian is a dead Indian.” In 1998, an 8-year-old girl on the Upper Sioux Reservation was so disturbed after hearing her teacher read the statement aloud in class that she went home crying, leading her mother to unsuccessfully petition the school district to ban the book from its curriculum.

Elsewhere in the book, Osage tribe members are sometimes depicted as animalistic, notes the critic Philip Heldrich: In one scene, Wilder describes them as wearing a “leather thong” with “the furry skin of a small animal” hanging down in front, making “harsh sounds” and having “bold and fierce” faces with “black eyes.” Although Laura’s father espouses a more tolerant view of Native Americans, his description of a “good Indian” is one who is “no common trash.”

It is now the Children’s Literature Legacy Award, which “honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature through books that demonstrate integrity and respect for all children’s lives and experiences.” This year’s winner is Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreaming.

The move is part of a broader critical reevaluation of Wilder’s work that makes it harder to brush the historical facts of the homesteading era under the proverbial rug. This year Caroline Fraser won a Pulitzer for her fantastic biography of the author, Prairie Fires, which ought to be required reading for any adult with kids who’re going to encounter the Little House books.

Read More: https://pictorial.jezebel.com/laura-ingalls-wilders-name-will-no-longer-grace-childre-1827103110

I never read her books as a child, yet watched Little House on the Prairie. Good for them removing her name.

7 replies

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Laura Ingalls Wilder's Name Removed from Children's Book Award (Original Post) sheshe2 Jun 2018 OP

I posted yesterday on this topic exboyfil Jun 2018 #1

I read the "Little House on the prairie" books when I was growing up. Doreen Jun 2018 #2

Sounds like the people who wanted to banned Huck Finn because of TexasProgresive Jun 2018 #3

exactly Doreen Jun 2018 #4

It sounds like it because it is BannonsLiver Jun 2018 #6

I loved the books as a child and completely missed the stuff mentioned. I also loved Ann of Green Demsrule86 Jun 2018 #7

Yes, times change and views broaden. ucrdem Jun 2018 #5

exboyfil

(17,865 posts)

1. I posted yesterday on this topic

Reply to sheshe2 (Original post)

Mon Jun 25, 2018, 05:14 PM

Jun 2018

I came to a different conclusion. I would like to have seen them hyphenate the award with Wilder and a more recent author who is more inclusive. I hope your favorite childhood author can withstand scrutiny 80 years from now when writing about events that happened 60 years previously during their childhood.

Doreen

(11,686 posts)

2. I read the "Little House on the prairie" books when I was growing up.

Reply to sheshe2 (Original post)

Mon Jun 25, 2018, 06:55 PM

Jun 2018

Yes, she did say those things. The "the only good Indian is a good Indian" was talked about in what was being said by a mean man who was not good. She had indicated the people who said that are not good. The part about the description of Indians is through the eyes of a child. This sounds to me like an attempt of an old fashioned book burning in public schools and libraries. This is a time line writing not an attempt to discriminate. Lets get rid of Tom Sawyer while we are at it.

TexasProgresive

(12,158 posts)

3. Sounds like the people who wanted to banned Huck Finn because of

Reply to Doreen (Reply #2)

Mon Jun 25, 2018, 06:59 PM

Jun 2018

what Jim was called. It was as if that's all they saw and did not see that Twain was making a case against slavery and racism.

Doreen

(11,686 posts)

4. exactly

Reply to TexasProgresive (Reply #3)

Mon Jun 25, 2018, 07:01 PM

Jun 2018

BannonsLiver

(16,460 posts)

6. It sounds like it because it is

Reply to Doreen (Reply #2)

Mon Jun 25, 2018, 07:05 PM

Jun 2018

In a different medium, it’s one of the reasons I bought up all of the seasons of “All in the Family”, in case there comes a time when it’s deemed offensive and won’t be able to be found readily available in reruns, online stores and streaming platforms.

Demsrule86

(68,689 posts)

7. I loved the books as a child and completely missed the stuff mentioned. I also loved Ann of Green

Reply to Doreen (Reply #2)

Mon Jun 25, 2018, 07:12 PM

Jun 2018

Gables...The Wind in the Willow, Kipling, O'Henry (everyone should read The Ransom of Red Chief...it is very funny...my kids loved it too...also Thurber.

ucrdem

(15,512 posts)

5. Yes, times change and views broaden.

Reply to sheshe2 (Original post)

Mon Jun 25, 2018, 07:02 PM

Jun 2018

I didn't read the books either and the show was not on my radar but the premise seems to be that land-grabbing was a wholesome activity. Well, maybe it wasn't.

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