NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Dr. Seuss books are pulled, and a ‘cancel culture’ controversy erupts

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The estate of Theodor Geisel – more commonly known as Dr. Seuss – made a decision to discontinue sales of six of his books this week because of racist depictions in them, the New York Times reports. The well-known author’s most famous books, like “Green Eggs and Ham,” were not among the six that will no longer be sold, but still his estate’s decision prompted a debate about cancel culture and also about how we maintain historical records of works that are seen as widely offensive today. “It will cause people to reevaluate the legacy of Dr. Seuss, and I think that’s a good thing,” said Philip Nel, a children’s literature scholar at Kansas State University and the author of “Dr. Seuss: American Icon.” “There are parts of his legacy one should honor, and parts of his legacy that one should not.” But one bookstore owner thought the books should still be sold because that would offer an opportunity to educate kids on why certain depictions are hurtful to others.