In a notable move, Scholastic has decided to remove Dav Pilkey’s 2010 graphic novel, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future, citing concerns over its portrayal of “passive racism.” This decision came in response to a Change.org petition initiated by a Korean-American father, James Park, who urged the publisher to take action after reading the book with his children.
Park highlighted various instances of problematic imagery and stereotypes within the book, such as a ‘Kung Fu master’ depicted in a traditional Tang coat, characters portrayed with dash marks for eyes, and clichéd Chinese proverbs. He expressed that these representations contribute to the ongoing prejudice faced by Asian Americans.
Following Park’s petition, both Scholastic and Pilkey issued public apologies. Scholastic announced that it has ceased distribution of the book, stating, “With the full support of Dav Pilkey, we recognize that this book perpetuates passive racism.” They further emphasized their commitment to fostering positive representation in literature and have begun contacting schools and libraries to inform them of the book’s withdrawal.
In a 45-second video apology, Pilkey expressed regret for the harm caused, stating, “I hope that you, my readers, will forgive me, and learn from my mistake that even unintentional and passive stereotypes and racism is harmful to everyone.” He also pledged to donate all proceeds from the book to organizations that promote diversity in children’s literature and combat hate against the Asian community.
Further Reading
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In summary, Scholastic’s decision to withdraw The Adventures of Ook and Gluk stems from valid concerns regarding its representation of Asian characters and themes. The actions taken by both the publisher and author underscore the importance of sensitivity in children’s literature.