The Eastern Edge

I use this Grinch pic every year, but this year I found myself wondering why I know so little about one of my favorite cartoonists/writers from when I was a kid, Dr. Suess. Naturally, I decided to do a little checking.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that not only was he vocally anti-Japanese and fully supported the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII, but that he later seemed to soften his attitude when he used one of his children's books as an allegory for the U.S. occupation of Japan, and dedicated it to a Japanese friend.

I'll never be able to look at Horton Hears a Who the same way again!

Sigh... Life was so much simpler when I didn’t know about the politics behind some of my favorite children's books.

I remember the message, too, that "even though you can’t see or hear them at all, a person’s a person, no matter how small." I think the message is well intended - if maybe somewhat arrogant - and I don't want to judge the man. It was, after all, a much different world back.
However, learning about that allegory while living in Japan has really made me feel even more like the elephant in the room over here!
Oh, well.

Merry Christmas from Who-ville, everyone!