Barnes & Noble says it is suspending plans to release a series of classic novels with new cover art featuring people of color for Black History Month. The program sparked backlash from critics, who point out the characters inside the books are still white.
The Diverse Editions program sparked a social media backlash from critics, who point out that the characters inside the books are still white.5 charities you can support for Black History Month"We acknowledge the voices who have expressed concerns about the Diverse Editions project at our Barnes & Noble Fifth Avenue store and have decided to suspend the initiative," Barnes & Noble said in a statement. A launch event that was scheduled for Wednesday evening was canceled as well.
— Barnes & Noble February 5, 2020 For the project, Barnes & Noble and Penguin Random House planned to release special editions of 12 classic novels with new covers that featured people of color.One cover of"The Wizard of Oz" shows Dorothy as an African American girl with her hair in a braid and puffs and a pair of red sneakers slung over her shoulder. Juliet wears a head scarf on one cover of"Romeo and Juliet","Dr. Jekyll & Mr.
— Tracey Livesay February 5, 2020 Author Karen Strong said in a tweet that she didn't understand the thinking behind the effort.Can you imagine a young Black girl seeing a cover with someone who looks like her but then finds nothing that reflects her in the pages? No Black girls at all? Y'all that is more than a bait and switch. That's harmful.
— Karen Strong February 5, 2020 "Can you imagine a young Black girl seeing a cover with someone who looks like her but then finds nothing that reflects her in the pages? No Black girls at all? Y'all that is more than a bait and switch. That's harmful," Strong tweeted.Others pointed out that some of the books include characters specifically described as having white features, like Jane Austen's"Emma.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Barnes and Noble Celebrates Black History Month By Giving Frankenstein an AfroIf you’ve ever wanted to see what Frankenstein’s monster would like with an afro, you now have a chance.\n
Read more »
Why Barnes & Noble Swiftly Canceled Its “Diverse” Book Covers for Black History MonthRather than challenging what’s included in the classic canon, “Diverse Editions” simply repackaged books by white authors.
Read more »
Barnes & Noble Suspends 'Diverse Books' Initiative After Backlash'The covers are not a substitute for black voices or writers of color, whose work and voices deserve to be heard.'
Read more »
Why Barnes & Noble Swiftly Canceled Its “Diverse” Book Covers for Black History MonthRather than challenging what’s included in the classic canon, “Diverse Editions” simply repackaged books by white authors.
Read more »
Barnes & Noble Suspends 'Diverse Books' Initiative After Backlash'The covers are not a substitute for black voices or writers of color, whose work and voices deserve to be heard.'
Read more »