Was the Cat in the Hat Black? by Philip Nel

Abstract

In today’s racially charged, post-election atmosphere it has become more important than ever to recognize and root out subversive and persistent forms of racism, especially racism geared toward society’s most impressionable members: children. In the book, Was the Cat in the Hat Black? The Hidden Racism of Children’s Literature, and the Need for Diverse Books, Philip Nel discusses in five chapters various ways that classic and modern children’s literature continues to perpetuate white supremacy. While not denying that children’s media has made great strides toward promoting a more diverse view, Nel insists and supports the idea that there is “legacy racism” promoted by classic children’s literature.