15°c Clear
28°c Isolated showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Dr. Seuss banned from B.C. classroom
Lorax, voiced by Danny Devito (left) and Once-ler, voiced by Ed Helms in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. The Lorax, a classic tale of the horrors of environmental degradation, reignited controversy when it was released as a movie in March, prompting some to declare it was "too liberal." (UNIVERSAL PICTURES)
They cannot, they must not quote Dr. Seuss. Not in the school. Not in the hall. Not in B.C. No, not at all.
With relations between the teachers union and the provincial government frosty, teachers in a small British Columbia town have been told they can't display Dr. Seuss quotes because they are considered political messaging.
B.C. teachers are upset with Bill 22, which came into effect last month, ending their strike and bringing in a mediator. In Prince Rupert, teachers have been displaying their disappointment on T-shirts, signs and bumper stickers.
Now, a Grade 1 teacher at a Prince Rupert elementary school has been told by the school district she could be disciplined for having the quote "I know, up on the top you are seeing great sights, but down here at the bottom we, too, should have rights" on her clothing or in her vehicle while on school property.
The quote comes from Dr. Seuss's book Yertle the Turtle, in which Yertle orders the other turtles to stack up on one another so he can climb to the top and see all there is to see.
In all, eight teachers in the district have received letters letting them know they could face discipline for displaying political messages.
Joanna Larson, president of the Prince Rupert District Teachers' Union, said the administration doesn't want students to see the messages.
"We feel very censored here right now. We have feelings that our rights to freedom of expression have been violated," Larson said.
Teachers with anti-Bill 22 bumper stickers have decided to park off school property to avoid receiving the letters. However, they've also begun to fill their vehicles with "all kinds of messages" -- including several Dr. Seuss quotes.
"If they try to use a heavy-handed approach, we just have more people trying to exercise civil disobedience," Larson said.
Dr. Seuss' books have been mined for their messages for decades. Horton Hears a Who is said to tackle prejudice, while The Butter Battle Book is seen as a critique of the Cold War.
The Lorax, a classic tale of the horrors of environmental degradation, reignited controversy when it was released as a movie in March, prompting some to declare it was "too liberal." Fox News has said the kids movie was trying to "indoctrinate our children" with its "anti-industry message."
Meanwhile, Larson said Dr. Seuss books are available in school libraries and often taught in elementary classrooms. She said banning the Yertle the Turtle quote is "very upsetting" to teachers.
"And it's the ridiculous nature of it that makes it almost unbelievable," she said.
Larson believes the teachers' conflict with the administration embodies the "ridiculous human nature" Dr. Seuss wrote about.
"This is why he did what he did," she said. "I think he would think it's absurd."
-- Postmedia News
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 26, 2012 A2
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
More Local
(1 of 15 articles for today)
Lotteries
1:00 AM 0In the event of a discrepancy between this list and the official winning numbers, the latter shall prevail.
PICK 3
Winning number ...
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- MP Glover files new version of disputed 2011 election expenses
- Committee wants report on free replacement for garbage, recycling carts
- Pallister continues PST fight
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Game-day planning a must
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- No mad dash for concessions
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Bible Belt's bogeyman still haunts town
- Strong may they run: Manitobans reflect on that fateful day in Boston
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Province's new approach to teaching math long overdue: readers
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Doctors blamed for death
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- Fishing for fashion
- City's first urban reserve born
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.