3 ms·

Yes, I'm sure they also said that in 1917 comrade. You can literally justify anything like that.

shadowgovt 4y ago
They also said it in the 1860s. Fought a whole war over it in the US. It's difficult, sitting in the midst of history, to predict what history will be.
- recuter 4y ago
  I'm sorry but I want history to be safe and unproblematic. The 1860s and slavery are very upsetting to me, it is best not to discuss such things even in allegory or as something to learn from - We must erase the things I find upsetting from the history books and only reference them in the manner which I can cope with.
  - shadowgovt 4y ago
    You find very few children's books either justifying slavery or assuming it as an acceptable status quo on new-sale bookshelves today. This fact isn't some kind of attack on history; it's a reflection of the fact that the stories we tell children change to reflect our values. This publisher is in the business of selling new copies of stories for children. It'd be surprising if they didn't change.
    - recuter 4y ago
      > it's a reflection of the fact that the stories we tell children change to reflect our values. Great, as a parent you are free to read whatever books reflect your values to your children. If the plight of the fictional Oompa Loompas (I don't recall slavery being justified in the book, but hey, your interpretation is as good as any, that's the wonderful thing about books) is upsetting to you -- do not read or expose your kids to it. Expose them to books that reflect your values. Or even write new ones if you have any talent. Editing existing books in this manner is never necessary or justified.
      - shadowgovt 4y ago
        At the end of the day, my opinion of the content, and yours, are irrelevant to the publisher. We're drops in the bucket. Sales are relevant, and sales are down. Another version that sells better has no impact on the copy on your shelf. (... and if they can goose sales by generating market buzz via controversy, more power to them. A tip of my hat to playing folks like us against each other to put coin in their pockets. ;) ).
teolandon 4y ago
You also can't justify something by saying "it's been fine for decades".

They also said it in the 1860s. Fought a whole war over it in the US. It's difficult, sitting in the midst of history, to predict what history will be.

recuter 4y ago
I'm sorry but I want history to be safe and unproblematic. The 1860s and slavery are very upsetting to me, it is best not to discuss such things even in allegory or as something to learn from - We must erase the things I find upsetting from the history books and only reference them in the manner which I can cope with.
- shadowgovt 4y ago
  You find very few children's books either justifying slavery or assuming it as an acceptable status quo on new-sale bookshelves today. This fact isn't some kind of attack on history; it's a reflection of the fact that the stories we tell children change to reflect our values. This publisher is in the business of selling new copies of stories for children. It'd be surprising if they didn't change.
  - recuter 4y ago
    > it's a reflection of the fact that the stories we tell children change to reflect our values. Great, as a parent you are free to read whatever books reflect your values to your children. If the plight of the fictional Oompa Loompas (I don't recall slavery being justified in the book, but hey, your interpretation is as good as any, that's the wonderful thing about books) is upsetting to you -- do not read or expose your kids to it. Expose them to books that reflect your values. Or even write new ones if you have any talent. Editing existing books in this manner is never necessary or justified.
    - shadowgovt 4y ago
      At the end of the day, my opinion of the content, and yours, are irrelevant to the publisher. We're drops in the bucket. Sales are relevant, and sales are down. Another version that sells better has no impact on the copy on your shelf. (... and if they can goose sales by generating market buzz via controversy, more power to them. A tip of my hat to playing folks like us against each other to put coin in their pockets. ;) ).

teolandon 4y ago

You also can't justify something by saying "it's been fine for decades".