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Did Dr. Seuss Lie to Our Kids?
New York Times ^ | August 1, 2019 | Philip Galanes

Posted on 08/05/2019 3:34:50 PM PDT by EdnaMode

A 12-year-old thinks the premise of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” belies structural racism. What’s a parent to do?

My 12-year-old daughter had a sticker on her water bottle with a quote from Dr. Seuss: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” A classmate told her the sticker was racist because many people can’t choose what they want to do because of structural racism. My daughter peeled off the sticker and threw it away. When she told me about it, I was at a loss. I believe structural racism is real and pernicious, but I also think we should teach children that they have agency. And my daughter and I like the sticker’s message. Help!

M.P.

Twelve-year-olds are not famous for nuance. (Their greater claim may be making classmates feel bad about their water bottles.) But you are an adult. Start a conversation with your daughter that goes beyond slogans and stickers to a more thoughtful consideration of race.

She has surely learned about slavery in her history classes. But tell her about some of the subtler discrimination that makes up structural racism: our long history of inequality in housing and educational opportunities for people of color, for instance, and the modern-day hangover of those unfair policies.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Chit/Chat; Society; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: drseuss; newyorkslimes; newyorktimes; nytimes
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To: VanDeKoik

See post 37


41 posted on 08/05/2019 4:21:08 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: EdnaMode

“I believe structural racism is real and pernicious”

Then there’s nothing anyone can do for you.


42 posted on 08/05/2019 4:22:58 PM PDT by Jim Noble (There is nothing racist in stating plainly what most people already know)
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To: EdnaMode
A classmate told her

Most twelve year old brains are not able to learn the lesson this incident taught; that is why there are parents. Always create and follow a narrative of your making, not someone else’s narrative.

43 posted on 08/05/2019 4:23:05 PM PDT by MosesKnows
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To: Richard Kimball

Yes he could for sure.


44 posted on 08/05/2019 4:23:32 PM PDT by easternsky
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To: EdnaMode

I was reading Dr. Suess 55+ years ago and I still don’t have agency.


45 posted on 08/05/2019 4:28:50 PM PDT by printhead (I need a new tagline. Happy days are here again.)
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To: EdnaMode

“Structural racism” is what prevents me from walking through structurally run-down neighborhoods that are generally populated by homogenously ethnic people groups, aka, da ghetto. Thank you structural racism for keeping my ass safe! I love ya!


46 posted on 08/05/2019 4:30:07 PM PDT by PeteePie (Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people - Proverbs 14:34)
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To: dfwgator

Sure they’ll just fix the eyes

Change honorable to dishonorable

Then label them White Christian Heterosexual Conservatives


47 posted on 08/05/2019 4:31:53 PM PDT by Phil DiBasquette
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To: Raycpa

One of my grade school teachers wrote a
note to my mom and sent it home with me because she thought it was cute when, the day after passing out those books, I raised my hand and complained that the was really boring and had ‘no plot.’


48 posted on 08/05/2019 4:44:29 PM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge.)
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To: EdnaMode

The NY Times version.
Left Foot
Left Foot
Left Foot
Left.


49 posted on 08/05/2019 4:52:57 PM PDT by alternatives? (Why have an army if there are no borders?)
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To: EdnaMode

A liberal bully shamed another child calling her item racist, knowing full well she’s morally obligated to throw it away.

This IS a racist act of power against the target, but by a liberal bully, not the generic white or male in the population liberals accuse of it.

Liberals are the bullies. Liberals are the bigots.


50 posted on 08/05/2019 4:54:37 PM PDT by tbw2
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To: fruser1

Nope. White women are being told to shut up and defer to your moral superiors, people of color.

It is so bad that white women who have mixed race children are told they are racist for having paired up with a non-white, that raising kids color-blind is racist. That they must still own up to their inborn sin to truly repent and be tolerated by the more moral castes of color.


51 posted on 08/05/2019 4:55:59 PM PDT by tbw2
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To: yesthatjallen

Liberal bullies are instituting systemic oppression based on race ... in the name of fairness.

They are guilt-tripping men and whites into second class status.


52 posted on 08/05/2019 4:56:57 PM PDT by tbw2
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To: BenLurkin

Holy crap!

My childhood instincts confirmed.


53 posted on 08/05/2019 4:58:10 PM PDT by VanDeKoik
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To: piasa

That note could get you flaged as a troublemaker and get your gun rights revoked.


54 posted on 08/05/2019 5:06:56 PM PDT by Raycpa
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To: EdnaMode

We call this “Thought Control from George Orwell’s 1984”.

...and we’re right to do so.


55 posted on 08/05/2019 5:40:05 PM PDT by Maelstrom (To prevent misinterpretation or abuse of the Constitution:The Bill of Rights limits government power)
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To: ifinnegan
“A classmate told her the sticker was racist because many people can’t choose what they want to do because of structural racism.”

Your answer is correct, but I would add that everyone can choose what they want to do because we limit ourselves more than any outside force can. Don't be a victim.

56 posted on 08/05/2019 5:42:30 PM PDT by freeandfreezing
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To: EdnaMode
I tell liberals all the time, “Reading the New York Times makes you stupider.”

They think I’m joking. I’m not.

57 posted on 08/05/2019 5:49:14 PM PDT by dead (Liberals ruin everything.)
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To: EdnaMode

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” is a message for everyone.

Hope people don’t want to take away the joy of Dr. Seuss’ books now.


58 posted on 08/05/2019 5:50:58 PM PDT by Tired of Taxes (Keep fighting, Nick!)
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To: EdnaMode

Liberal dad is sad

Poor little girl, a victim of time
Cause her father writes for the New York Slimes.
No morals in the paper. No morals in his soul
Cuz he writes for a paper full of assholes
They lie about this and they lie about that
They lie about their lies as a proof of thier facts.
Her father see racism, debautchery and sin
But only during the time that a Republican wins.
Yes poor little girl being raised by this dad
Will be the next psycho, and man that is sad!


59 posted on 08/05/2019 6:59:39 PM PDT by Bommer (2020- Vote all incumbent congressmen and senators out! VOTE THE BUMS OUT!)
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To: Raycpa

Did your school curriculum cover “Dick and Jane Change Genders” or “Dick and Jane Discuss Deconstructionism”?


60 posted on 08/05/2019 7:06:35 PM PDT by 17th Miss Regt
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