Scholastic Withdraws ‘Ook and Gluk’ Children’s Book for Promoting Subtle Racism

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In a significant move, Scholastic has decided to remove Dav Pilkey’s 2010 graphic novel, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future, from circulation due to concerns about “passive racism” embedded in the narrative. This decision followed a Change.org petition initiated by a Korean-American father, Jason Lee, who called for accountability after reading the book with his children.

In his petition, Lee pointed out several instances of problematic imagery and stereotypes, such as a ‘Kung Fu master’ depicted in a traditional Tang coat, characters with ‘dashes for eyes,’ clichéd Chinese proverbs, and a plot in which the non-Asian protagonists save the Kung Fu master using their martial arts skills. He emphasized that such portrayals contribute to ongoing prejudice faced by Asian Americans.

Scholastic acknowledged the issue, stating, “On March 22, 2021, with the full support of Dav Pilkey, we ceased distribution of The Adventures of Ook and Gluk. We recognize that this book perpetuates passive racism.” The publishing company expressed regret for this oversight and confirmed the removal of the title from their websites, the halting of order fulfillment globally, and outreach to retailers regarding the book’s unavailability. They also committed to informing schools and libraries that may still have copies.

Pilkey offered a public apology through a 45-second YouTube video, sharing a handwritten letter in which he stated, “I hope that you, my readers, will forgive me and learn from my mistake; even unintentional and passive stereotypes and racism is harmful to everyone.” He also pledged to donate all proceeds from the book to various charities supporting diversity in children’s literature and organizations addressing violence against Asians.

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Conclusion

In summary, Scholastic’s decision to withdraw The Adventures of Ook and Gluk highlights the importance of sensitivity in children’s literature. The actions taken by both the publisher and the author reflect a commitment to addressing and correcting past mistakes related to representations of race.

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