A childhood memorabilia-- A children's graphic novel based on the wildly popular "Captain Underpants" series is being pulled from library and bookstore shelves after its publisher claimed it "perpetuates passive racism."
A father of two young children, ages 5 and 7, who is Korean American. Dav Pilkey, author of the wildly popular series Captain Underpants and Dogman, is a huge fan of both of them, and they recently borrowed "Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future" from their local library.
“I realized the book relied upon multiple instances of racist imagery and stereotypical tropes, including a "Kung Fu master" wearing what's purported to be a traditional-style Tang coat, dashes for eyes for the Asian characters, stereotypical Chinese proverbs, and a storyline that has the Kung Fu master rescued by the non-Asian protagonists using their Kung Fu skills (despite the fact that they were taught said skills from the supposed master),” the father said.
The father addresses his concern via petition on Change.org asking for an apology from the publisher and writer.
Scholastic had since removed the book from its website, stopped the processing orders for the book and quested a return of all inventory. Pilkey made a statement via YouTube stating he intended to donate his advance as well as all royalties from book sales to organizations dedicated to ending violence against Asians and promoting diversity in children's books and publishing.
The father finds it appreciative that they’re pulling the book from retailers; although, it isn’t enough. He mentioned that the damage has already been done. Every child who has read this book has been socialized to accept racist imagery as "okay" or even humorous.
“It is this type of passive racism that has contributed to the continued hate and prejudice experienced by Asian Americans on a daily basis.”
Pilkey had issued an apology and Scholastic soon followed suit.
“I hope that you, my readers, will forgive me, and learn from my mistake that even unintentional and passive stereotypes and racism are harmful to everyone,” he wrote. “I apologize, and I pledge to do better.”
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