Scholastic Withdraws ‘Ook and Gluk’ Children’s Book Over Claims of ‘Passive Racism’

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Scholastic has decided to discontinue Dav Pilkey’s 2010 graphic novel, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future, citing concerns about “passive racism” present in the book. This action followed a Change.org petition initiated by a Korean-American father, Daniel Park, who urged the company to address the harmful stereotypes depicted in the book while reading it with his children.

Concerns Raised in the Petition

In his petition, Park highlighted several instances of problematic imagery, including the portrayal of an Asian ‘Kung Fu master’ dressed in what is described as a traditional Tang coat, characters depicted with ‘dashes for eyes,’ and clichés like stereotypical Chinese proverbs. He emphasized that such representations contribute to the ongoing discrimination faced by Asian Americans.

Scholastic’s Response

In response, Scholastic confirmed on March 22, 2021, that it would halt the distribution of the book with Pilkey’s full support. The company stated, “We recognize that this book perpetuates passive racism,” and expressed regret for the oversight. They have taken measures to remove the title from their websites, cease order fulfillment, and notify retailers and libraries regarding the book’s withdrawal from publication.

Dav Pilkey’s Apology

Pilkey, known for his popular series like Dog Man and Captain Underpants, also issued a public apology via a brief YouTube video. In the video, he expressed remorse and acknowledged the harmful impact of unintentional stereotypes, vowing to improve his work in the future. He and his wife have committed to donating all proceeds from the book to organizations that offer free books and art supplies to children in underserved communities, support diversity in publishing, and combat violence against Asians.

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Conclusion

In summary, Scholastic’s decision to withdraw The Adventures of Ook and Gluk was influenced by a petition highlighting harmful stereotypes, leading to public apologies from both the company and the author. Both are committed to fostering positive representations in literature for young readers.

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