Great article about this from the Guardian Book Blog by way of Jen Robinson’s Growing Bookworms Newsletter. Thanks Jen!
I for one am often uncomfortable reading some of the oldies and goodies precisely for this reason, but I agree with the journalist who told his daughter to hate the prejudice not the author. I think as a child I probably dismissed most of it as being silly or stupid and just ignored it. I knew people of various races and backgrounds, and they were my reality rather than those caricatures depicted in Enid Blyton or Tintin or Asterix and Obelix.
Here’s the link: Guardian UK book blog
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Always happy to provide food for thought, Jo. Thanks for reading the newsletter.
I actually think that this type of thing can open up nice avenues for discussion with kids. As in “we don’t say this now because it’s hurtful”. Anyway, it’s good to think about.
You’re right of course. And what’s that quote about ‘those not knowing history are doomed to repeat it.” I definitely think that dialogue should be encouraged.