People enter into the spirit with colourful costumes: there were parties of American Indians, Smurfs and an engaging posse of pensionable old dears dressed as fairies. The audience is, it has to be said, overwhelmingly white and middle-class (and probably predominantly middle-aged).
Indians, Smurfs, and fairies.
Reading those words reminded me of an email I received on December 30, 2007 in response to critiques I posted about one of Jan Brett's books. In her email, the author wrote:
Why is there always someone who wants to rain on someone else's parade? Why can't children just enjoy a good read? I am sure you don't believe in Santa, the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny because they are incorrect in guiding young children's beliefs.
For those that want to study the American Indian ways and beliefs, good for them. For now I will read and enjoy books, just because.
It struck me that she would cast American Indians in that particular framework---of things-not-real. She is a librarian in a public school in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Santa. The Tooth Fairy. The Easter Bunny.
Indians, Smurfs, and fairies.
Here and in the UK. Evidence of the work that needs doing, and I note with no small amount of concern, the librarians resistance to that work.
To see what prompted the librarian's email, read Theresa Seidel's "An Open Letter to Jan Brett, published here on December 19, 2007. And read a related article "Jan Brett and Sherman Alexie" posted here on December 31, 2007.
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Tagged @ Jan Brett
Tagged @ stereotypes
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