In response to concerns about “passive racism,” Scholastic has decided to withdraw Dav Pilkey’s 2010 graphic novel, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future. The move followed a Change.org petition initiated by a Korean-American father, Alex Lee, who sought accountability after reading the book with his children.
Lee highlighted various instances of racist imagery and stereotypes within the book, such as a ‘Kung Fu master’ depicted in a traditional Tang coat, exaggerated facial features for Asian characters, and a narrative that places non-Asian characters in a position of saving the Asian protagonist. He expressed that such portrayals contribute to ongoing prejudice and hate faced by Asian Americans.
In a joint statement with Pilkey, Scholastic announced the cessation of the book’s distribution, emphasizing their commitment to producing literature that positively represents diverse communities. They stated, “We are deeply sorry for this serious mistake,” and outlined their actions to remove the book from all platforms and notify schools and libraries still holding copies.
In a subsequent 45-second YouTube video, Pilkey issued a heartfelt apology, acknowledging the harm caused by the book’s content. He emphasized the need for awareness regarding passive stereotypes and pledged to improve. Furthermore, he and his wife will donate proceeds from the book to charities focused on enhancing access to books and resources for underserved children, as well as organizations combating anti-Asian violence.
Further Reading
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Summary
Scholastic has withdrawn Dav Pilkey’s graphic novel, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, due to concerns about passive racism. The decision came after a petition from a Korean-American father who highlighted problematic stereotypes in the book. Both Scholastic and Pilkey apologized and committed to better representation in literature.
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