Staff Reports
The left’s mission to rewrite history and culture continues, as Roald Dahl’s classic children’s books are the latest victims of the woke agenda. Last year, Townhall covered how a new theater production portrayed St. Joan of Arc as “non-binary.” This attempt to rewrite a Catholic saint sparked backlash, but that didn’t stop the left from continuing their mission.
Roald Dahl's books REWRITTEN to remove 'offensive' language to create world where no one is 'fat' https://t.co/jEuLAHxEYR
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) February 18, 2023
The New York Times recently reported that Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, may have identified as “transgender” well before the term entered the English language. This has led some to take things even further by revising classic children’s books that have been deemed offensive.
This week, it was reported that Roald Dahl’s books, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Matilda,” “James and the Giant Peach,” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” have undergone editing to make them more inclusive. NPR has reported that “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” has undergone many changes, such as the use of gender-neutral terms for the Oompa Loompas. Augustus Gloop’s description has also been modified from “fat” to “enormous,” and the Oompa Loompas are now referred to as “small people.” These alterations to the books involve the addition of language that was not originally written by Dahl.
The group “Inclusive Minds” enlisted “sensitivity readers” to assist in the editing process. CNN noted that this organization identifies as a “collective” of individuals who are enthusiastic about promoting inclusion, diversity, equality, and accessibility in children’s literature. They are dedicated to transforming the landscape of children’s books.
Michael Böllner, the former child actor who portrayed Augustus Gloop in the 1971 film “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” has stated that there is no harm in the language used in Dahl’s book. Now 64 years old, he recalls never feeling upset while on set, and in his opinion, the language is not problematic.
On Twitter, acclaimed writer Salman Rushdie criticized Puffin Books for modifying Dahl’s beloved works. Rushdie expressed his disapproval, stating that while Roald Dahl was not without faults, the editing amounts to absurd censorship. He went on to say that Puffin Books and the Dahl estate ought to feel ashamed.
The left’s mission to rewrite history and culture is a dangerous one. They are attempting to erase our past and rewrite it with their own agenda in mind. It is an affront to our culture and our history and should not be tolerated. We must stand up against this censorship and make sure our culture is preserved for future generations.
The preceding article is a summary of an article that originally appeared on Townhall
