Laura Ingalls Wilder’s name will be removed from a major literary award over how the author of “Little House on the Prairie” depicted minorities in her in books.
The decision to nix her name on the award, changing it from the “Laura Ingalls Wilder Award” to the “Children’s Literature Legacy Award” comes after a unanimous vote by the Association of Library Service to Children’s board. That decision was met with a “standing ovation by the audience in attendance,” the group reported.
“This decision was made in consideration of the fact that Wilder’s legacy, as represented by her body of work, includes expressions of stereotypical attitudes inconsistent with ALSC’s core values of inclusiveness, integrity and respect, and responsiveness,” the Association for Library Service to Children said in a statement after the vote.
The award is given to “an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children,” according to the organization’s website.
Children’s Literature Legacy Award #alaac18 https://t.co/fqPezsb1VH
— ALSC (@wearealsc) June 23, 2018
The website for the name change is up! Take a look! When the @wearealsc board voted to change the name immediately, they moved forward, immediately! https://t.co/xVqwV6mzup pic.twitter.com/gtvltxORAd
— Dr. Debbie Reese (@debreese) June 24, 2018
Many on social media were quick to slam the move.
How dare you remove Laura Ingalls Wilders name from this children’s literature award.Her books reflect the period of time during which she lived.Debasing her books implies a revisionist view to historical norms present during her life in the early 20th century.
— Rebecca Byrd (@redbirdnc19) June 24, 2018
Strange that a literary society's position wouldn't have been more influenced by George Orwell's "1984." @wearealsc @adrienne_paone #ChicagoMafia #Accuracy #LiteraryHeritage #Snowflakes https://t.co/lB3JYyi8ab
— Brian Paone (@BrianPaone) June 25, 2018
This is totally ridiculous. https://t.co/29aIUrKvRO
— Jen A (@JenATweeter) June 25, 2018
Shame on you for denigrating the work of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her works provide an historic window into the thinking of the early 20th century. I guess she should come back from the dead and rewrite them to reflect your values of the 21st century.
— Rebecca Byrd (@redbirdnc19) June 24, 2018