Read the following article:
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/18/463488364/amid-controversy-scholastic-pulls-picture-book-about-washingtons-slave
Answer the following questions related to the article:
1. Describe the controversy that has arisen over this children's book.
2. Who are the main characters in the book?
3. Cite the comparisons that the article makes between A Fine Dessert and A Birthday Cake for George Washington.
4. Which two people, quoted in the article, provide a defense for the book? Summarize their defense.
5. What details given in the article qualify these two people to defend the book?
6. Why does Demetria D'Oyley dismiss these defenses?
7. In your opinion, should Scholastic have pulled the book? Why or why not?
Baylie Smithson 5th Period
ReplyDelete1.The book portrays that slaves were happy with their lives and jobs, which angers some people.
2. Hercules and Delia
3. A Fine Dessert was created by an all white team, A Birthday Cake for George Washington was created by a diverse group of people.
4.Andrea Davis Pinkey argues that the story describes Hercules' work as a chef and how proud Delia feels of her fathers achievements. Ramin Ganeshram argues that its historical record that shows enslaved people who received status positions were proud, and made use of the perks of the positions.
5. They are both writers of the two books.
6. She says the book doesn't tell that Hercules ended up escaping from Mount Vernon leaving Delia behind.
7. In my opinion, No, I don't think it should have been pulled. I understand that they don't want kids to have a misconception of how life was for slaves, but it is a kids book all kids books are misconceptions. If kids teachers can't really transform their buses into submarines and go on field trips everyday then why do we still give kids Magic School Bus books? Thats a misconception on school, why don't we give them books about how hard the work is, how some teachers make you feel like the stupidest person in the world when you get a question wrong, how exhausting it is getting up early to go somewhere for 8 hours with terrible food, how its not about learning or getting an education anymore its about passing so you don't get grounded, and how you're told you can't make it in college or at a job unless you get a 100 on a test on things you won't need to know? "Because they're kids they won't understand," They'll say. Apparently they won't understand the truth about school or other things that kids books misapprehend but they'll understand the truth about slavery?? I'm not sure about other people but I wouldn't be too happy if my child's mind was being filled with the evil things that happened to slaves, when they're too young to hear about it or read about it.
Destini Erwin
ReplyDelete1. People think that it is telling a lie by saying that every slave was beaten and didn't like their job but 90% was no beaten and most of the slaves stayed with their master after they were free because they didn't know what to do.
2. Delia and Hercules.
3. It's another story about how happy slaves made sweet treats.
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram. Pinkey said that the author was just trying to say that you and your love ones will never be able to savor the taste of freedom. Granshram said that it showing that slaves actually took pride in their jobs and liked their jobs.
5. They have awards.
6. She dismisses them because the book left out important details like the fact that Hercules left his daughter and that he escaped.
7. No, I do not agree with her pulling the book out because it shows the real side to slavery not just the side that society wants to see.
Grace Gibson
ReplyDelete1) The whole issue with this book is that it does not fully depict what life was actually like for slaves. It only shows a part in their life where they are happy and the people who don't agree with this book do not want children to get the wrong impression about slavery.
2) The main characters in the book are Hercules and Delia who are baking a cake for George Washington.
3) The article says that "A Fine Dessert" and "A Birthday Cake for George Washington" are both similar in the fact that they both make slavery appear as a happy and normal thing.
4) The first person to provide a defense for the book was the editor of "A Fine Dessert", Davis Pinkey. Pinkey said and thinks that Hercules took pride in his job and insisted on perfection in his kitchen. He also says that Hercules dreamed of his own liberty.
The second person to provide a defense for the book was the author of the book, Ramin Ganeshram. Ganeshram believes that Hercules took pride in his position. He also implies that Hercules uses his skill to his advantage.
5) The fact that it was the editor and author of the book definitely qualifies them to speak their opinion and defend the book.
6) Because they left out the fact that Hercules escaped from Mt. Vernon. She believes that the work the slaves do is for their survival while they are plotting their escape. She also believes the book leaves kids with a false impression of slaves.
7) I feel as if the book should have been taken off the shelves because I agree with Demetria D'Oyley when she says that the book gives a false impression of slavery. If they really wanted to keep this story out there they could tell the same story but say that the people baking it were people other than slaves. IF they wouldn't have implied that they were slaves the issue may not have been as severe.
Elle Turner
ReplyDelete1. People think it is "whitewashing" the history of slavery.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delia.
3."Happy slaves" making sweet treats.
4. Davis Pinkney said that slaves had happiness in some of their tasks. Ramin Ganeshram wrote that slaves who had "status" positions were proud of them and enjoyed showing them off.
5. Davis Pinkney is black and a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, Ramin Ganeshram who is of Iranian-Trinidadian descent also wrote the book.
6. She said that the book left out the part about Hercules escaping from MT. Vernon
7. No, we need to be able to see how some people dealt with slavery if they weren't the ones doing hard labor. We need to see if there was anything good that came from slavery so everyone realizes how stupid it was.
Kelsi Hobson
ReplyDelete1. Critics believe the book is "whitewashing the history of slavery."
2. The main characters are Hercules and his daughter Delia.
3. In both books they had African American slaves working in the kitchen making sweets.
4. Davis Pinkney says that some slaves were happy doing the tasks they were given. Ramin Ganeshram said that this is part of historical records not her opinion and that slaves that were given 'status' positions were proud of them.
5. Davis Pinkney is an African American who has won the Coretta Scott King Award and Ramin Ganeshram is the writer of the book and she is of Iranian-Trinidadian descent.
6. She says the book leaves out that Hercules escaped Mount Vernon.
7. I do not believe the book should have been pulled because it states historical facts that are from historical records that children should know.
Tyra Dunn
ReplyDelete1: The slaves are seen happy.
2: Hercules and Delia
3: The slaves are happy and smiling.
4: Davis Pinkey said that some slaves liked their tasks. Ramin Ganeshram said some slaves were proud of their positions.
5: Pinkey is Coretta Scott King Award winner. Ganeshram is the author who is of Iranian-Trinidadian descent.
6: The slaves were in it for survival.
7: No because they should not promote books that portray that slaves liked being enslaved to others when that is not true.
Jared Snyder
ReplyDelete1. They think that children are not seeing the full aspect of slaves
2. Delia & Hercules
3. In both books there are slaves making some kind of dessert and they're both happy
4. Pinkney, Ramin Ganeshra
5. They are both authors and make bold points to the defense
6. She claimed that it left out how Hercules left Mt. Vernon
7. I believe that they should pull the book. But make edits to make the slaves look and sound how they really felt. and include how he was happy when Hercules got to cook.
Jesslyin Edwards
ReplyDelete1. They are showing how slaves were happy with their jobs they did.
2. Hercules, and Delia.
3. A Fine Dessert was written by a white creative group, and A Birthday Cake for George was written by a diverse group of color people.
4.Andrea Davis Pinkney wrote how some slaves did find pleasure in their jobs that they did do. Ramin Ganeshram wrote that the slaves with higher ranked jobs took pride in what they did in those positions.
5. They both are authors of their own children’s books relating to the topic.
6. The book purposely leaves out that Hercules escapes from Mount Vernon.
7. Yes, because that’s a topic that isn’t so easy to tell to children and if they do they should tell the whole truth and not half. Children should not know about it until they get older so that they can understand the situation more.
Amy Ingle
ReplyDelete1. Some people think the book is racist and are offended by it because it leaves out the reality of most slave situations.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delia.
3. The article said that "A Fine Dessert" was an all white creative team.
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney said some slaves were happy and Ramin Goneshram said some of it was historical records.
5. Neither people were white.
6. The book leaves out details.
7. No, I don't think it is that big of a deal. If someone gets offended by it they shouldn't buy it.
Wynn
ReplyDelete1. It features slaves smiling.
2. Hercules and his daughter.
3. "...A Fine Dessert, another story about happy slaves making sweet treats, was eviscerated by critics."
4. Pinkney, some slaves found happiness. And Ganeshram, the perks of a slaves position and the status.
5. Ganeshram is the author of the book.
6. Hercules escapes from Mount Vernon.
7. Yes, because it might make people forget the atrocities committed during the existence of slavery in America.
Rachel Walker
ReplyDelete1. The book is receiving criticism because it's based around one of George Washington's slaves, Hercules, and how he is happy in the position he was given. People are seeing it as offensive because they feel as if it's the wrong connotation of what a slave really is.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delia.
3. " A Fine Dessert, another story about happy slaves making sweet treats, was eviscerated by critics."
4. Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram. They both include that some slaves found happiness in the tasks they had. Also, that some were content with any form of work that meant using their talent or something they enjoyed.
5. They are both of different descent.
6. She believes that slavery isn't something to have pride about.
7. I do think scholastic should pull the book because people find it offensive, and it's not illogical about why they find it offensive. I don't think slavery is something that should be focused on as a 'happy' or 'fun' subject, whether or not people have different viewpoints about it.
Lacey Martin
ReplyDelete1. Critics feel that this book gives an inaccurate depiction of slavery because the slave characters are given a happy and prideful appearance throughout the book working for George Washington despite being enslaved.
2. Hercules (the slave who worked in the kitchen with cakes) Delia (Hercules's daughter) and George Washington
3. " A Fine Dessert, the review notes, was published by a totally white creative team. A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color..." (Peralta) the authors and editors of the books were of different races and neither found the book offensive.
4. Ramin Ganeshram said basically that it is actual fact that slaves were proud of their higher statuses within enslavement, and that even if we don't want to ruin the effect of how bad slavery was and the importance of it, we also shouldn't try to undermine the accomplishments of great slaves. Davis Pinkney says that Hercules was a celebrated chef, yes, and he was happy about this, but that doesn't mean in any speculation that he forgot about the fact or, didn't care about the fact that he was enslaved. He was fully aware of his lack of freedom and the story outlines this.
5. Davis Pinkney is black and a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and Ramin Ganeshram is the author of the book who is of Iranian-Trinidadian descent.
6. Because they think that if children read about this book, they will forget the importance of slavery and will not be told the whole story, that Hercules eventually did escape Mount Vernon.
7. In my opinion, Scholastic should not have pulled the book because firstly, one children's book is not going to determine whether or not we forget or the next generation forgets how horrible slavery is. Secondly, The defenses that were given in the article and are perfectly valid. No facts were kept out of the book to give the impression that slavery wasn't bad or that slaves were perfectly happy. It was written in innocence of happy achievements, and not meant to be a real life depiction of the details of slavery.
Arianna Taylor 5th Period
ReplyDelete1. People feel that the book is centered on racism and slavery.
2. The main characters are Hercules, Delia, and George Washington.
3. In A Fine Dessert, it portrays the slaves in the book as happy making sweet treats. In A Birthday Cake for George Washington,it portrays the slaves Hercules and Delia having a good time making a birthday cake for George Washington.
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney says that some slaves found happiness in their everyday tasks. Ramin Ganeshram says that some slaves were proud of the positions they held.
5. The races; Pinkney is black. Ganeshram is of Trinadadian descent.
6. D'Oyley says that the book left out one minor detail: that Hercules ended up escaping.
7. In my opinion, Scholastic should have pulled the book because it reminds people to reminisce about past events and slavery and it might make someone emotional.
Elaine Doyle
ReplyDelete1 it portrays slaves as being happy
2Hercules and his daughter
3 "A Fine Dessert, the review notes, was published by a totally white creative team. A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color"(Amid Controversy, Scholastic Pulls Picture Book About Washington's Slave, Eyder Peralta)
4 Kirkus and Ramin Ganeshram they are saying that slaves could be happy
5 they both are not white
6 she thinks that what he was doing could not make someone happy and she thinks no one can be truely happy when they are not free ( which is true)
7 I think that the should just change the book a little to show that he and his daughter wanted to be free because the book is kinda good because it shows that some slaves were smart and talented people who weren't just sitting around be oppressed.
Brent Smith
ReplyDelete1. White washing slavery.
2. Hercules, Delia, and George Washington.
3. Both have happy slaves making sweet treats, and A Fine Dessert was reviewed by all white critics but the other by a diverse group of people of color.
4. Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram.
5. They are not Caucasian.
6. She says "The book conveniently leaves out that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon and left his daughter behind and she remained enslaved.
7. No it's just a children's book.
CHRIS THOMAS
ReplyDelete1) The book depicts smiling slaves on every page.
2) Hercules and Delia
3) A Fine Dessert was written by an all white team while A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written by a diverse team.
4) Andrea Pinkney defended the book by saying that the he was a good cook and that Hercules was America's first celebrity chef. Ramin Ganeshram says that it is a fact not her opinion. She also says that when slaves got high positions like that they were proud.
5) Pinkney is black and a receiver of the Coretta Scott King Award. Ramin Ganeshram is the author of the book.
6) She dismisses the defenses because Hercules eventually escaped and she argued he cooked for survival.
7) Yes, it should have been pulled because the argument he was "proud" was false because he eventually escapes.
Ben Hall
ReplyDelete1. The book has been described to "whitewash" slavery.
2. Hercules and Delia
3. Both books are about happy slaves making food.
4. Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram stated that Hercules was a renowed cook, and that slavery wasn't always cruel and diminsishing.
5. Pinkney edited the book, and Ganeshram wrote the book.
6. Because hercules eventually escaped.
7. Yes, because it diminishes how terrible slavery was and can have a large affect on the views of our future generations.
Liam Andrus
ReplyDelete1. Scholastic Books stop the publishing of a book about George Washington's slave making him a birthday cake.
2. Hercules, George Washingoton's Chef slave, and his daughter Delia.
3. They are both about "Happy slaves making sweet treats."
4. Davis Pikney, who writes that some slaves found happiness in their work, and Ramin Ganesham, who says that some slaves took pride in their work and utilized the perks of their positions to make their lives better.
5. Pinkney is an editor of the book and Ganesham is the author
6. She dismisses their defenses because Hercules escaped from mount Vernon
7. In my opinion, Scholastic should have NOT pulled the book because not all people are the same, so you can't say that all slaves were unhappy with their positions.
KaRon Coleman Jr.
ReplyDelete1. They think the book is whitewashing the history of slavery.
2. Hercules, who is a slave and her daughter Delia.
3. "A fine dessert, the review notes, was published by a totally white creative team. A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color..."
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram. Pinkney claimed that in the story, George Washington depended on Hercules to bake a cake. Ganeshram claimed that people are so focused on who actually should be the chef.
5. They work against slavery. The fact that the book was written by a colored person.
6. She doesn't care about slavery. She thinks that the book doesn't make sense.
7. Yes because there are more books that have to do with slavery and they still pull the book. I don't think D'Oyley knows much about slavery, that's why she thinks the way she thinks.
1. Some people believe it makes slavery look like a joyful event in history.
ReplyDelete2. Hercules, Delia, and Washington
3. "the book contained images of smiling slaves in almost every page. another story about happy slaves making sweet treats, was eviscerated by critics."
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney, slavery in american history is confusing but some slaves did find pride in their job. Ramin Ganeshram, Slaves that has positions with status, used the perks of the position to gain power and almost freedom.
5. Ramin Ganeshram is the author of the book and is not a decendant from the US.
Andrea Davis Pinkney is an african american but also is the editor of the book, she also won the Coretta Scott King Award.
6. She says that the book leaves out that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon.
7. Yes, slavery should be viewed as a negative event in history so that it is never repeated.
Serenity Marcum
ReplyDelete1. The controversy that arose over this children's book is because the book depicts slaves being happy and prideful while working and many people think the author is giving false depictions of the horrors of slavery.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delia
3. "A Fine Dessert" and "A Birthday Cake For George Washington" are both books written about African American slaves that cook, but "A Fine Dessert" was written and published by a completely white group while "A Birthday Cake For George Washington" was written, edited, and illustrated by a group of people of color.
4. Pinkney was one of the two people who defended the book arguing that Hercules was proud of his status and lived an almost free life, but still dreamed of his own liberty. The other person that defended the book was the author, Ramin Ganeshram, she argues that she didn't depict Hercules that way, historical records did and if we only choose to see the horrific parts of slavery people like Hercules might be forgotten.
5. Andrea Davis Pinkney is the editor of the book and Ramin Ganeshram is the author
6. She dismisses these defenses because the book "conveniently leaves out that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon" and he believes because of this Hercules must have disliked slaving over a hot stove and that the book would give children a false impression of slavery.
7. In my opinion, Scholastic shouldn't have pulled the book off the shelves children learn about the horrors of slavery during school, yet almost nothing about slaves in higher positions being even relatively prideful or happy and I believe it's important for children to learn that some slaves took much pride in their work.
Jake Hammonds
ReplyDelete1. People are saying it is inaccurate that throughout the book slaves are smiling and that it is sort of sugar coating what slavery was like.
2. Chef Hercules and his daughter Delia
3. "A Fine Dessert, the review notes, was published by a totally white creative team. A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color, including editor Andrea Davis Pinkney, who is black and a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award."
4. Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram; They said the book is just telling a story that is related to history and that some slaves actually did take pride in what they did especially if they were as high up as Chef Hercules
5. They were both apart of making the book
6. She said the book leaves out that Hercules escapes from Mount Vernon
7. I do not think that scholastic should have pulled this book because it wasn't like they did anything but put pictures of smiling slaves in the book. Its a children's book, if they drew a bunch of depressed slaves and pictures that were closer to the truth then it might have frightened the children reading it.
Alex George
ReplyDelete1) Critics are claiming that the book glorifies slavery and it doesn’t focus on the evils of slavery.
2) Hercules and his daughter Delia.
3) A Fine Dessert, was published by a totally white creative team. A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color, including editor Andrea Davis Pinkney, who is black.
4) Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram, Pinkney claims that Hercules was well known and was highly regarded as a chef and a dapper dresser, who insisted on perfection in his kitchen. George Washington depended on Hercules to makes his food. Hercules is often thought of by culinary historians as the first celebrity chef in America. Ganeshram claims that enslaved people who received 'status' positions were proud of these positions—and made use of the 'perks' of those positions.
5) The two of them are highly regarded authors who are just trying to prove that not everyone suffered due to slavery and lots of slaves were treated very well.
6) She claimed that the book left out the fact that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon.
7) I don’t believe that Scholastic should have pulled the book because the fact is lots of slaves were treated with great amounts of kindness and respect which is an aspect of slavery that is overlooked in today’s society because everyone focuses on the mistreatment that slaves went through due to the fact that our society is full of political correctness and everyone wants to focus on the negative things and overlook the facts.
Joy Chou
ReplyDelete1. The book depicts two slaves happily cooking for George Washington.
2. Hercules, a slave of George Washington, and his daughter, Delia.
3. A Fine Dessert was published by a completely white creative team, while the creative team for A Birthday Cake for George Washington consisted of a diverse group of people of color.
4. Davis Pinkney wrote that Hercules was a highly regarded chef and was proud of his status and ability. Ramin Ganeshram argued that choosing to only focus on slaves’ lives in a negative light could risk erasing their achievements and talents.
5. Pinkey is black and a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, and Ganeshram is of Iranian-Trinidadian descent.
6. She said that the book conveniently left out that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon.
7. I felt that Ganeshram’s defense raised a good point. Many people fear that thinking of slavery as something other than “the narrative of constant-cruelty” will make it seem as though they’re diminishing the horrors of it. However, in doing this, the legacies of African Americans are being neglected. But while I believe that acknowledging the achievements of African Americans is important, I agree with Scholastic’s decision, as the book may give children the wrong impression of what the lives of slaves were like.
Zoie Pritchett
ReplyDelete1. People are saying that the children book “A Birthday Cake for Washington” is whitewashing the history of slavery.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delia
3. Both books had slaves baking and making sweets and they were all happy and smiling.
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram; Andrea basically said that some slaves did, in fact, find happiness in their work and that Hercules was a well known chef at the time. Ganeshram said that slaves who had ‘status' positions were proud of the positions and that we all try to look at slavery in one way and always try to misconceive things.
5. An essay in defense of the book for Pinkney and a post for the Children’s Book Council for Ganeshram.
6. That it left out all the other details of Hercules, like him running away to Mount Vernon and that baking over a stove in that time period while being a slave wasn’t happiness or pride.
7. No, in my opinion, it’s completely stupid to have done this. This is a child’s book to show happiness and love and enjoying what you do. It’s all for entertainment. The children are way too young to even understand what slavery is or what’s going on or to even think of it to be slavery. People are way too sensitive and take things out of context way too much these days and everyone just needs a chill pill. Also, there is no reason to include that Hercules went to Mount Vernon and left his daughter in a children’s book because it’s about baking a cake, not a documentary about his life. Why should young children have to know this at their age? They aren’t going to misinterpret the situation, they should see it as baking a tremendous cake for an important person and the people that baked it were proud of it. People are just too sensitive and take things out of context way too often.
Chris Perkins
ReplyDelete1.critics are saying that this book is about slaves being happy and that’s not right, because they say “slavery was awful”, while it was awful, many slaves did have a good life and were treated with good care. They want the book to be removed, but the authors are arguing there's nothing wrong with it.
2. Hercules, the chef, and his daughter Delia are the main characters.
3. "A Fine Dessert, another story about happy slaves making sweet treats “ Citation: www.npr.org/sections/the two-way/2016/01/18/463488364/amid-controversy/scholastic-pulls-picture-book-about-washingtons-slaves ,by Eyder Peralta.
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney, who says that the book depicts Hercules as being a well known chef and treated greatly with many rights. Ramin Gresham , also defended it saying many slaves were proud of their positions and it’s a historical record.
5. Ramin is the author from Iranian-Trinidadian descent and she’s the author and Pinkney, who illustrated it is the black award winner of th Coretta Scott King Award.
6. D’Oyley dismissed their argument, because she says slaving over a hot stove in the 18th century while your family is trapped isn’t happy.
7. In my opinion Scholastic should not have pulled the book, because it was okay and a historical document of the past and while many try and say slavery was “evil” and “gruesome”, don’t get me wrong, sometimes it was terrible and awful, but that doesn’t mean you should erase history and try and say it never happened, because the truth is some of the slaves were given hot meals, rights , a place to stay, and respect. Does D’Oyley think that Hercules would rather have wanted to be written about as an amazing chef or “some slave that was treated gruesomely and was forced to cook while in bondage”. Scholastic shouldn’t have pulled this book, just like schools have stopped talking about how bad the south was kicking the north’s butt in the Civil War, before the North used their factories to make easier reloadable guns, so they could shoot six times as many shots at a time as the Confederate Soldiers, because history shouldn’t be forgotten, but learned from, and heroes and people with great talents, like being an amazing chef, should be remembered instead of forgotten.
Sorry, I got a little intense on number seven, haha. Thanks.
Payton Brown
ReplyDelete1. The novel shows a slave and his daughter baking a cake. Critics found this book offensive due to the false happiness shown from the happiness.
2. Hercules and his daughter are the main characters.
3. A Fine Dessert was created by a totally white team while A Birthday Cake for George Washington was edited by people of color.
4. Pinkey and Gineshram defend the book.
5. They wrote and edited the book.
6. She says the book leaves out the part that Hercules escapes from Mount Vernon.
7. I believe Scholastic should've dismissed this book as it shows a false depiction of slaves and offends many. Slavery wasn't all smiles and laughs. This is a serious issue that still continues today and I'm almost positive no one is proud to be without freedom.
Christian Taylor
ReplyDelete5th
1. Scholastic has decided to stop distributing A Birthday Cake for George Washington because it is a book about George Washington's slave.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delila
3.It is both about making slavery seem like a happy thing
4. Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram they basically are both trying to make light of the situation.
5.one person said that some slaves were happy.
6.She says the book leaves out that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon.
7. In my opinion I do think Scholastic should have pulled the book. Should we really sugar coat slavery? Slavery as we all know is anything but happy, and I don't think we should paint a picture in little children's heads on slavery being ok. Children these days should know the actual history of things and not little white lies an author made. Also, in the long run, I think this book will actually do the opposite and hurt the children when they grow up and actually find out what slavery really is. To sum it all up.... You just can't erase history.
Reagan Ray
ReplyDelete1. The controversy is that some people believe that the book was whitewashing the history of slavery.
2. Hercules who was a slave used by the president to be his chef and his daughter Delia were the two main characters.
3. The comparison of "A Fine Desert" and "A Birthday Cake for George Washington" is that they are both about happy slaves making sweet treats.
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram provide a defense for the book. Pinkney says that Hercules and Delia knew that they would never be truly free, but still had purposeful work and could still be proud of themselves. Ganeshram says that enslaved people who received positions were happy with them and that if we only focus on the cruelty of slavery then we will miss out on slaves and eventually erase people like Hercules from history.
5. Pinkney was one of the diverse colored people who edited the book and won the Coretta Scott King Award and Ganeshram was the author of the book and knows what the real meaning of the novel is and how it is supposed to be understood.
6. Demetria D'Oyley dismissed these because she says the book left out that Hercules escaped Mount Vernon.
7. No, if parents/teachers are concerned about children not fully understanding slavery, then they should teach them the true meaning of the book themselves.
Maxine Ball, 6th period
ReplyDelete1.Whether Scholastic should have pulled the book.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delia
3. They both are about happy slaves making treats.
4. Pinkney- that the book concludes what it means when you and your friends can’t savor the taste of freedom; Ramin Ganeshram- that if we focus only on those slaves who fit the singular viewpoint, then we will forget about people like Chef Hercules. The book is trying to stop that.
5. They are both stating facts of why the book is okay for people to read.
6. She says the book conveniently leaves out the fact that Hercules escaped Mouth Vernon.
7. No, because the book says nothing bad about slaves. In fact, it is trying to remember a slave who was very talented and remarkable, Chef Hercules.
Burton Drawhorn
ReplyDelete6th Period
1. The controversy is how the book A Birthday Cake for George Washington is based on slavery and its history.
2. The two main characters are Hercules and Delia
3. There are two main things that are pointed out between the two books, one being the fact that A Fine Desert was written by a team of white people, while the book A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written by a group of diverse races. Secondly, the main thing that they pointed out was in common was that both books depicted slavery and its history, which is the reason both were coming under fire.
4.The editor Andrea Pinkey and Ramin Ganeshram both give a defense for the book saying that it depicts he good side of slavery, never showing the cruel aspects and saying that the slaves somewhat enjoyed their lives serving the President. They say that because the book does not focus on cruel aspects that it makes it right to sell.
5. The things that qualify them to give a defense for the book is that they both worked on it and helped to write it.
6.She dismisses the book because she believes it is inappropriate for children to be reading and because it could lead them astray.
7. I believe that it was right for them to pull the book because slavery was not something I was introduced to until I was much older then children's books. It isnt something that I would want my kid to be reading about at an early age. Not only is it inappropriate but it just wouldn't sell well, it is a sore subject for some people to talk about, so why would people want to buy a book about it?
1. They think that it highlights slavery and makes it seem better than it was.
ReplyDelete2. Chef Hercules and his daughter Delia.
3. AFD was published by an all white publishing team and ABCFGW wasn’t.
4. Pinkney: Pinkney is stating the the chef had a big role in George Washington's life and he was considered the first celebrity chef so he deserves recognition.
Ganeshram: Ganeshram says that this is historical information so it's nothing to be upset over the slaves in this book used what little freedom they were given to their advantage and if we only focus on the cruelty of slavery we will forget about people like chef Hercules.
5. Pinkney is black and a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and Ganeshram is the author and is Iranian-Trinidadian.
6. because the book leaves out the part where the chef escaped and left his daughter behind.
7. No i think the should have left it. Many people will not or would have not know about this part of history if it wasn’t for books like these. these events that they write about aren't the most popular but thee deserved to be shared none the less.
Elle Allen
ReplyDelete1. People think that it is re-writing history and they don’t agree with the positivity that the characters are showing.
2. Hercules and Delia
3. "And essay in Kirkus noted that the book contained images of smiling slaves in almost every page. But it cautioned that this was not the same kind of story that had played out just months before when A Fine Dessert, another story about happy slaves making sweet treats, was eviscerated by critics.
A Fine Dessert, the review notes, was published by a totally white creative team. A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color, including editor Andrea Davis Pinkney, who is black and a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award."
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney says that the story is promoting good values and teaching a lesson that shows children that everyone matters and is important. Ramin Ganeshram, The Author says that the book demonstrates the pride that slaves felt to have “positions” in society, and that they were proud of who they are.
5. They are the editor and the author of the book
6. "Over at The Root, contributing editor Demetria Lucas D'Oyley dismissed those explanations. The book, she says, conveniently leaves out that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon.”
7.No, I think its a cute book that teaches a great lesson to kids.
Samantha Hayes
ReplyDelete1. The book received criticism for "white-washing the history of slavery".
2. The two main characters are Hercules and Delia.
3. It says that "A Fine Dessert" was created by a completely white team. "A Birthday Cake for George Washington" was created by a full team of colored people.
4. It uses Andrea Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram. Pinkney believes that the slaves didn't have freedom and the book depicts them as happy. Ganeshram thinks that the slaves were proud of their positions and made use of the advantages.
5. It includes that Andrea Davis Pinkney is African American and won the Coretta Scott King Award. It also says that Ramin Ganeshram(the author) writes her own defense and that she is of Iranian-Trinidadian descent.
6. D'Oyley says the book conveniently failed to mention that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon.
7. Yes, If they inserted false information into the book, they shouldn't publish it as a childrens book.
Madeline King
ReplyDelete1.)there is a conflict between race throughout children`s books
2.)Hercules and Delia
3.)both were looked at as racist
4.)Andreas Davis Pinkney told how some slaves did find joy in their work and Ramin Ganeshram wrote with defence that they may havefound pleasure in their job and if they were happy it shouldn't matter
5.)Their integrity and scholars in publishing and writing
6.)he says it was work to plan escape, cooking over a hot stove while your captive is not a happy job
7.No, because it was not written against anyone or to make anyone upset if kids want to learn more then they will ask their parents
1. A picture book entitled A Birthday Cake for George Washington has been criticized over its happy portrayal of an enslaved cook, his daughter, and the rest of the slaves working in the Washington household. The critics are accusing the book of white-washing slave history because of its immoral representation of miserable individuals being held against their will.
ReplyDelete2. Hercules, the president’s chef, and his daughter Delia, who is also a slave.
3. “But it cautioned that this was not the same kind of story that had played out just months before when A Fine Dessert, another story about happy slaves making sweet treats, was eviscerated by critics. A Fine Dessert, the review notes, was published by a totally white creative team. A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color, including editor Andrea Davis Pinkney, who is black and a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award.”
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram. Pinkney explains that the highly regarded cook Hercules cooks only perfection for the president, and Delia watches him in awe, telling the story of how her father baked a cake for the leader of the country. Ganeshram says that slaves were proven to be proud of the positions that they held, and we will ignore the incredible talents of the slaves if we only focus on the traditional horrific aspect of slavery.
5. Pinkney is African American and Ganeshram is of Iranian-Trinidadian descent, meaning that they are people of color. They provide this detail so that people will understand that they are not just white people white-washing history. (And they are also the illustrator/editor and author of the book.)
6. D’Oyley believes that being held against your will to cook for the person who owns you is not something that the slaves were proud of, but was considered something similar to a hostage situation. The only thing for them to think about was escaping, and D’Oyley points out that Hercules does this and leaves his enslaved daughter behind.
7. Yes, I do believe Scholastic made the right choice pulling the book. It would have given kids the completely wrong outlook on slavery, and that is a topic that should not be misunderstood. The slaves may have been good at or enjoyed the tasks that they do, but doesn’t it mean something different when you have no choice but to do it? Is that still enjoyment? Sure, they may have it better off than others did because they get to do something that they like, but is it truly the same when you hold the title of “servant” and possess no rights to your name? No, I don’t think it is. I believe that, because the slaves were wrongly portrayed as happy in the story, they can be compared to a dog playing fetch with his owner who will not stop throwing the ball. He may enjoy it, but eventually he will grow tired and the playful game becomes irrefutable commands.
Abbey Ray,
ReplyDelete1. The controversy over the book has arisen due to some critics thinking that children may get the wrong impression of what a slave’s life was like.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delia are the main characters.
3. “A Fine Dessert” and “A Birthday Cake for George Washington” are both "about happy slaves making sweet treats".
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney defends the book by saying that Hercules is an excellent chef and ruled the kitchen. He felt almost free, but still wanted liberty and his daughter Delia, too, knew that she was enslaved. The book of Hercules's story ends by saying what it means when you and your family will never get to experience freedom.
Ramin Ganeshram also wrote a defense about the book. She said that some enslaved people were proud of their positions during that time. She goes on to say that some people think that the terribleness of slavery may be lost, but it’s also not right for those slaves like Chef Hercules, which worked hard and did their work well, to be lost either.
5. Andrea Davis Pinkney is qualified to defend the book because she was a part of the editing group for “A Birthday Cake for George Washington”.
Ramin Ganeshram is the author of the book, therefore she is qualified to defend it.
6. Demetria Lucas D’Oyley dismisses the defenses due to the book not mentioning that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon.
7. I do not think that Scholastic should have pulled the book because throughout your school years you will hear plenty about the horror of slavery. I think that it is good for children to know the positive and good parts of some slave’s lives.
Hallie Grace Hamner
ReplyDelete1. A Birthday Cake for George Washington is a children’s book about a slave making George Washington’s birthday cake. It is controversial because this book shows George Washington’s slave, Hercules, as being very happy and excited about making George Washington’s cake, which people say is completely inaccurate, because a slave probably wouldn’t be extremely happy about being in forced servitude.
2. Hercules and Delia.
3. They are both about slaves who are portrayed as happy with their positions.
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram. Their defense basically states that slaves such as Hercules, who was given ‘status’ positions were proud of them, so Hercules and Delia weren’t exactly what we today picture as slaves.
5. Pinkney was the editor of the book and Ganeshram was the author.
6. Because she says the book leaves out that Hercules eventually escaped enslavement and Mt. Vernon.
7. Yes, I believe Scholastic was right in pulling the book. While I do believe that children should be exposed to America’s long and harrowing past, showing slaves as being content with their lives is greatly re-writing history. We need to know the truth about what America used to be like, and that truth was certainly not slaves who were satisfied with being in forced labor.
Marley Hobbs-
ReplyDelete1. Many people criticize this book because it portrays slaves as happy people which many people believe this to be false as being held in captivity and put to work is not fun.
2. The main characters in the book are Hercules the chef and his daughter Delia.
3. But it cautioned that this was not the same kind of story that had played out just months before when A Fine Dessert, another story about happy slaves making sweet treats, was eviscerated by critics.
4. Andrea Davis Pinkney defends the book and says that some slaves did find happiness in their task. Ramin Ganeshram also defended the book and said that some slaves did receive small status perks and were very proud of them.
5. They are both authors of books.
6. She dismisses the defenses because she believes they failed to mention that Hercules did escape in the future and talks about how he actually probably did it for survival. Not because he enjoyed it.
7. I do not believe that they should have pulled the book because some slaves probably did enjoy some of their task while others did not. It should be up to the reader to depict the book and come up with their own conclusion and not Scholastics.
Holly McDonough
ReplyDelete1. It portrays slaves as being happy.
2. Hercules and his daughter.
3.''A Fine Dessert, the review notes, was published by a totally white creative team. A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color''( Eyder Peralta)
4. Pinkney said that Hercules was a well known chef and had a lot of freedoms for being enslaved he wasn't depressed and did take pride in his work.
Ganeshram said that slaves who earned positions were proud of them and if we only talk about the ones that had no freedom and were terribly abused then we will forget about incredible people like Hercules.
5. Pinkney was the editor and Ganeshram was the author.
6. It would be impossible to be happy if you weren't truly free.
7. No. Although most slaves were not happy some could have been because some people are just happy. George Washington actually specified that his slaves be set free in his will and didn't mistreat his slaves the way some did. Just because its not talking about how terrible it was doesn't mean they needed to pull it because chances are most children will not comprehend how awful it was if all the pictures were sad slaves.
India Kasteler
ReplyDelete1. People that read it believed that they were "whitewashing" slavery.
2. George Washington, Hercules, and Delia
3. It was "Another story about happy slaves making sweet treats."
4. Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram.
5. Pinkney illustrated the book and Ganeshram was the author.
6. Because they left out the part of the story about Hercules escaping.
7. Yes, because they were talking about slavery like it was a happy and fun experience when in reality it was horrible.
Jack Smalley
ReplyDelete1. The controversy was that this book created by scholastics was telling a wrong story of slavery by depicting the slaves as happy.
2. President Washington's slave chef Hercules and his son Delia.
3."A Fine Dessert" was created by a totally white team and this one was not. They were both making some kind of food in the book. They both whitewashed slavery.
4. Andrea Davis Pinkey was in defense and so was Ramin Ganeshram. Pinkey said that not all slaves were upset all the time even some were very highly liked. Ganeshram said that people these days fear that if we steer away from slaves not being constantly upset than it will change the view on slavery.
5. Their descent.
6. She claims that they did not enjoy the work in fact Hercules escaped Mount Vernon.
7. No, I don't believe they should have pulled the book because we already know that slavery was horrific. Although it was not always bad. It even says that Hercules was well known in the town and many people liked him.
1. Many people feel that the author is making slavery look nicer than it actually was. Children might get the wrong idea and not understand the struggles slave experienced and why they are so important.
ReplyDelete2. Hercules and his daughter, Delia, are the main characters.
3. Both books included smiling, happy slaves making treats.
4. Pinkney wrote that some slaves found happiness in some of their tasks and Ganeshram wrote that slaves took pride in their status position.
5. Both Pinkney and Ganeshram are qualified to defend this book because they both help with the creation of it. Pinkney was an editor and Ganeshram was an author.
6. D’Oyley dismisses the defenses because they leave out the fact that Hercules escaped and even left his daughter behind. He didn’t enjoy or take pride in his situation. The book is sending a false representation of slavery to children, especially since the team who created the book didn’t tell the full story.
7. Yes, they should pull the book. If they aren’t going to tell the full story to the readers, why publish it? To send a false message? That’s like publishing a bible without all the parts that talk about punishment for sinning. Slavery is not to be taken lightly. It wasn’t just a couple of years where a race of people didn’t have freedom. Slavery lasted for hundreds of years and to represent them as happy or comfortable is disrespectful. If the past is forgotten, then it is sure to occur again. Slavery is a touchy subject to teach your children, so I understand the concept of making it seem friendly, but it still needs to include that it wasn’t just a walk in the park.
Crystal Bolden
ReplyDelete1. People are debating if this book is racist or not. Because the African American people are being looked upon as severs, or in better terms slaves. But some believe that this is a happy special time that this little girl gets to spend with her dad.
2. The two main characters are Hercules and Delia.
3. A Fine Dessert was written by a white creative team, while A Birthday Cake for Washington was written by a diverse group of color.
4. Ramin Ganeshram and Andrea Davis Pinkney
5. That this was a historical moment in society. That it has meaning and pride to it. But also, It has family matters tied into it too. The father and daughter spend some quality time together and have fun baking Mr.Washington a cake.
6. she believes that this isn’t a happy time, it is plotting and figuring out what your escape plan is. Not to wait to see what happens to you.
7.No, because kids should learn at a young age that racism exist. That they should be something in the world, and overcome the traditional “white man”. Prove everyone wrong and take pride in the color of your skin, your hair texture, and background.
Avery Thomas
ReplyDelete1. “A Birthday Cake for George Washington” portrays slave’s lives as happy and proud. Many people that this is misleading, especially since the slave featured in the book ran away from his master leaving his daughter.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delia
3. Smith, Vicky. “Smiling Slaves in a Post–A Fine Dessert World.” Kirkus Reviews: Digital Edition. Smith, Vicky. January 4, 2016. Web. January 21, 2016.
4. Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram defend the book by saying that slaves in higher roles were proud of their roles and took pride in their work. They also state that looking at slavery through one angle won’t help us to understand what they went through.
5. Pinkney edited the book and Ganeshram wrote the book.
6. D'Oyley dismisses their denials because they “forgot” to mention that Hercules later ran away from Mount Vernon and left his daughter there.
7. I believe Scholastic did the right thing by pulling the book because it was misleading, it did not tell the whole truth, and it is potentially offensive.
1.The book is about slaves having a positive enjoyable life. the book didn't show the cruelty and harshness that slaves of that time had to suffer through. most people were afraid the audience of the book would get the wrong impression of slaves.
ReplyDelete2. Hercules and his daughter Delia
3. They both are about slaves that have positive, enjoyable lives as slaves.
4. Davis pinkney argued that some slaves had enjoyable lives as slaves even though there main goal was to have completer freedom. Ramin Ganeshram argued that slaves that had good status positions were proud of them and lived happy lives as slaves.
5. They were both involved in the making of the books.
6. Because the books leave out parts of the story that shoe the cruelty the slaves suffered.
7. no, i believe that the book was just made for children's enjoyment and shouldn't be taken as seriously as it is.
Brianna Ashcraft
ReplyDelete1.) The controversy this book had was that the people believed the book did not show how bad slavery was and it portrayed the wrong view on slavery that could lead kids to believing slavery was a good thing.
2.) George Washington, Hercules (a black slave that was a chef), and Delia, Hercules' daughter.
3.) They were both books about happy slaves making sweet treats.
4.) Andrea Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram both provided a defense that said that Hercules was proud of his position of chef or that people that reviewed status' we're happy about the advantages it brought. They also said that Delia was happy with being along side her dad while working and that we don't need to forget that family is everything.
5.) Andrea Pinkney was the editor who is also black and the winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. Ramin Ganeshram is the author and is of Iranian- Trinidadian descent.
6.) Demetria says that it was just busy work to pass time while you plot an escape and it's survival not happiness.
7.) In some ways I do believe they shouldn't have pulled the book because sometimes there is happiness that we shouldn't overlook and if there was a slave who baked and loved his job and was great at it then we should recognize him. But in some ways they should have pulled it and possibly put more information about Hercules and his escape in it. It isn't always bad to talk about happiness in things that aren't always good.
Katherine Pham
ReplyDelete1. images of smiling salves in almost every page
2. Hercules and Delia
3. its another story about happy slaves making sweet treats
4. Ramin Ganeshram ; shows that enslaved people who received 'status' positions were proud of these positions and Demetria Lucas D'Oyley father's and daughter's bondage that isn't happiness or pride but busy work to plot an escape in the meantime
5. the salves happiness and pride from being a salve
6. "It's duty. It's survival. It's busy work to pass the time while you're plotting your escape."
7. No because it gives the audience a false impression on salves
Dustin Spencer
ReplyDelete1. That the slaves in both books had a good attitude in slaves and they looked like they were enjoying slavery.
2. Hercules and dalia
3. Slaves in the ooks were portraying the attitude that they liked being enslaved
4. The authors did, Andrea Pinkey and Ramen Ganesham, their defense was that some slaves enjoyed their tasks as slaves.
5.They were the authors
6. Because it gives little kids a false sense of how slavery really was.
7. I think they did a good job at puling it. Kids are so easily influenced and them reading these books might bring slavery back into play in American History.
caitlyn lewis
ReplyDelete1.people are offended about the people writing about Washington's slaves.
2.Delia and Hercules
3.A fine dessert is just about making sweet treats and the other is about George Washington's birthday cake.
4.Davis Pinkney- said that Hercules was an excellent cook and George Washington trusted him to make his cake.
Ramin Ganeshram- said slaves were happy and "excited" to work in status positions.
5.They are of different ethnic backrounds
6.She said they were slaves that were just plotting their escape.
7.Yes, so everyone would just shut up about it.
Keyanna Stokes
ReplyDelete1.it received withering criticism for whitewashing the history of slavery.
2.Hercules and Delia
3.it contains happy slaves making sweet treats
4.Pinkey wrote her defense on how Hercules was a great man and hid daughter Delia was great as well and they founded happiness in their own way. Ramin Ganeshram wrote her defense on her we only focus on things in our viewpoint.
5. They have read the book and they known of the history back then.
6.bc the book conveniently leaves out that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon
7.I think Scholastic should have pulled it because in our generation we study slavery as a bad time in life which is not something we should enjoy reading about because it might give us a false interpretation of how slavery really was.
Luke " FLAME THROWA " Hinton
ReplyDelete1.received withering criticism for whitewashing the history of slavery.
2.Herculies and delila
3.
4.Davis pinkany,Ramin Ganeshram, They defended the book
5.childens book councol
6. leaves out that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon.
7. no, its a realistic fiction book that tells about the history of our nation
Kenna Eldridge
ReplyDelete1. It shows slaves happily caring for white peoples needs.
2. Hercules and his daughter Delia
3. They both show happy slaves making sweet treats.
4. Davis Pinkney said that Hercules was highly regarded as a chef and he lived a life of near-freedom, he enjoyed his work for George Washington. Ramin Ganeshram she said that slaves who had high statuz positions were proud of their work.
5. They are both races other than white.
6. The book, she says, conveniently leaves out that Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon.
7. No, if Hercules enjoyed his work then that should be known, not all slaves disliked their work.
Natalie Neubert 5th period
ReplyDelete1) The controversy in this book had what people believed that the book did not know how bad slavery was.
2) George Washington, Hercules (black slave: chef), Delia (Hercules daughter)
3) Both books about happy slaves making sweet treats.
4) Andrea Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram both provided a defense that said that Hercules was happy about being a chef and that Delia was also happy.
5) Pinkney (black)(editor) Coretta Scott Kings award, Ramin Ganeshram (iranian) (author).
6) Demetria says that work is just busy when trying to plot an escape for happiness.
7) I believe that they should not have removed this book because it shows how the slaves were sometimes happy and it wasn't always a miserable job.
Sarah Taylor
ReplyDelete1. The book A Birthday Cake for George Washington depicts one of George Washington's highly esteemed slaves and their daughter baking a birthday cake. The controversy is spiked by the twisted images that show slaves as being very happy and joyous. People feel that this could alter the ideas on slavery and its wicked ways.
2. The main characters in the book are Hercules and his daughter Delilah.
3. It says that “ A Fine Dessert, another story about happy slaves making sweet treats, was eviscerated by critics.” Both stories depict pleasant views on a sinister thing.
4. The two people that provide a defense for the book are Andrea Davis Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram. Pinkney talked about how Hercules was a very respected man and still is by many today. The story's main point wasn’t to show how he loved his “job” but how well he did it. Ganeshram brought up the point that many slaves were proud of their positions, and while there is the danger of whitewashing slavery, there is also a danger in forgetting important people such as Hercules.
5. Pinkney is african american and has also won the Coretta Scott King Award. Ganeshram is of Iranian- Trinidadian descent.
6. D’Oyley dismissed them based on the fact that these were defenses on survival terms only. She also made the point that Hercules would eventually escape from Mount Vernon.
7. Both opinions were very valid. I personally agree with scholastic for pulling the book. While Ganeshram and Pinkney’s arguments were very valid, D’Oyley’s stated the cold truth. Enslavement wasn’t something african americans took much pride in. They weren’t treated well and most “took pride” because it was their survival tactic.
1.It shows slaves smiling.
ReplyDelete2.Hercules and Delia.
3.A Fine Dessert, the review notes, was published by a totally white creative team. A Birthday Cake for George Washington was written, illustrated and edited by a diverse group of people of color, including editor Andrea Davis Pinkney, who is black and a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award.
4.Pinkney and Ramin Ganeshram both provide a defense.
5.They are both of races that have been prejudiced against.
6.She says the book conveinetly leaves out the fact that Hercules escaped from Vernon.
7. No, Scholastic should not have pulled the book. It was witten to tell a story about George Washington and when people talk about slavery from the images it takes away form the meaning of the book.
Joshua Giles Makeup January 18
ReplyDelete1. People that have read the book see that the slaves are smiling which can make people have wrong thoughts about it, like slavery is good or wasn't something as serious as people make it.
2. Hercules and Delia
3. They both show happy slaves making sweet treats
4. Pinkney and Ramin/ Pinkney said that Hercules was a respected man and still is today and that the story's main point was not to show how he loved his job, but how well he did it. Ramin said that many slaves were proud of their positions.
5.Pinkney is black and won the Coretta Scott King award and Ramin has Iranian Trinidadian nationality background.
6. She says that they are based on survival terms only and that Hercules would eventually escape from Vernon .
7. In my opinion the books should have been pulled. Nothing sinister, especially slavery should be potrayed I in any way possible as good or okay.