Are These Kids Books ‘Too Woke’?
What would you consider “too woke”? Some people think anything with diversity ruins something, but they are basically just assholes. Others think it is teaching kids that queer people exist or modifying a well known story under a diverse lens (Cinderella including POC, Sleeping Beauty having agency, etc.).
As for these two lesbians, it was about the kids books they saw at Barnes & Noble.
The Video
According to Queerty, the two women were browsing the kids’ book section when they decided to film a TikTok. As they were filming the video, they voiced their disbelief as one book (The GayBCs) was talking about aro, ace, bi, and intersex people. They were exasperated, as though what the book was talking about is taboo. Note that they didn’t object to all of the words in the book, like equality, family, etc., but their reluctance still exists.
“We’re gay, but this is crazy,” say the filmier, Kali, who then continues by saying this is “pushing it for a baby.”
The Response
After the video was posted, people commented that the books are just cringey, and some of the words aren’t that controversial. One person commented that this was how anti-trans rhetoric starts—by letting conservatives bash on these people and queers doing nothing to help them.
People also pointed out how they didn’t have to buy the book. It is just an option for parents who want to explain to their kids why they have two uncles married to each other. Others pointed out their concern that these books just exist to sell for a profit, not actually providing anything useful.
Overall, it seems opinions on what constitutes “too woke” differ across the internet.
The Opinion
Personally, I do not think these books are “too woke.”
The two women, perhaps unintentionally, are somewhat dehumanizing people who are part of the queer community. Why is it so bad that a kid learns about aro and ace people? Is it because you don’t consider actual members of the community? What about bi people? Is it because you think they need to “pick a side”? And intersex people? The book isn’t even showing explicit imagery and just states some people have different parts, and that they are different, but that doesn’t make intersex a bad thing.
Now, I am not saying these people are being bigoted, just that they might have a subconscious bias about these people without knowing it. This can be true even for folks within our community.
Just pretending these people don’t exist doesn’t make them go away. In fact, it harms them as people by furthering this idea that only certain queers are OK for children and society. Only the chosen few get to be accepted while they others are left to rot.
It reminds me about how trans people were left behind in the 70s,how Sylvia Rivera was booed by fellow gays because she was still advocating for trans rights, how white women didn’t want to fight for black women rights.
We have to learn from history. We cannot leave our allies behind again. So please, be open-minded and fight for all human rights.
Photo courtesy of Public Domain Pictures
