- Details
- By Levi Rickert
This past week, as Democrats in Congress worked hard to pass the much needed American Rescue Package, a $1.9 trillion in coronavirus relief funds aimed at getting money in the pockets of Americans who continue to suffer from job losses and to vaccinate those who need it, some Republicans in Congress were talking about Dr. Seuss.
On March 2, released on the birthday of the author of the books, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the publisher of the popular children’s books, announced it would stop publishing six books after realizing material in it is now deemed racist and contains insensitive imagery.
One book on the list, “McElligot’s Pool,” features an illustration of fish wearing parkas swimming away from a man dressed in fur outside an igloo, holding a spear. The book was on the list because the illustration was a racist depiction of Inuit culture.
Some feel this illustration is offensive to Inuit people. Twitter photo
In a statement, Dr. Seuss Enterprises said it worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review their catalog of titles and made the decision last year to cease publication and licensing of the six books, including this one.
“These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong,” the statement said. “Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families.”
The move by the publisher irritated some Republicans in Congress. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy even posted a video of himself reading “Green Eggs and Ham” on Twitter. The book wasn’t one of the six books Dr. Seuss Enterprises decided to stop publishing. Some Republicans blamed President Joe Biden for the publisher’s decision.
Beyond Democrats, the group of conservative Republicans blame “cancel culture” for those seeking to correct the racist imagery.
To conservatives, protecting past images of racism is a sacred goal. But, it is in fact protecting the unsacred: things that should have been corrected a long time ago.
It happens to American Indians when we feel resistance to wanting to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. It happens to American Indians when we oppose the use of inappropriate Native imagery in sports, such as the long fight to have Washington’s NFL franchise drop its racist former name or the Cleveland baseball team to drop Chief Wahoo. It happens when American Indians want to tell the true story behind the first Thanksgiving.
I do get it though.
Those who like to inject the term “cancel culture” are fearful of losing what they deem sacred even though cancellation is long overdue.
I don’t get how Republicans in the House of Representatives were more concerned about reading Dr. Seuss to children than they were about making sure children are able to eat. Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the American economy, some 13 million children lived in poverty. The numbers are worse now.
Reading Dr. Seuss to a hungry child does not take away the hunger pains.
I don’t understand why Republicans, knowing the American Rescue Plan was going to pass, would not cast a yes vote for relief to a hurting country.
Even the three GOP members of Congress who are American Indians could not get past partisanship and vote in favor of the $31.2 billion allocated in the bill for Indian Country. They issued mean-spirited statements about how bad Democrats are for asking for this money.
GOP members of Congress don’t even respect the wishes of their own constituencies.
According to polling by Data for Progress, 69 percent of voters supported the bill. This support held strong across parties: 84 percent of self-identified Democrats, 65 percent of Independents and 54 percent of Republicans supported the legislation.
It is downright shameful no Republican member of Congress voted for the American Rescue Plan. They were more concerned about partisanship, making President Biden and Democrats look bad – and Dr. Seuss being canceled.
There is nothing sacred about protecting Dr. Seuss or partisanship.
More Stories Like This
President Trump: If You Want to Honor Native Americans, Fund Our ProgramsCherokee Nation and Tulsa Children’s Cabinet Are Building Tomorrow Together
Fort Hood Hosts ‘Spooky Movie Night’ Near Native Burial Grounds—Using Ancestral Sites as Entertainment
If You Want to Protect Children, You Cannot Defend Mascots
Make America Bigoted Again? Trump’s Campaign to Restore Racist Mascots
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
