1929 racist Dr. Seuss cartoon for sale by auction

[Liberal_in_LA]

(CNN)A California auction house is selling an early drawing by Dr. Seuss that's sure to disappoint the parents and children who adore his later work.

The 1929 color illustration for "Judge" magazine depicts a blatantly racist scenario and uses a slur to describe black people. It's being auctioned for a minimum bid of $20,000.

In the four-panel drawing titled ''Cross-Section of The World's Most Prosperous Department Store," the artist depicts scenarios in which rich men can purchase items to make their lives more difficult.

These include a fly for your ointment and a monkey wrench for your machinery. The final and largest panel features a crowd of men rendered in classic blackface caricature, with dark skin and pronounced red lips, being presented to a white shopper. A sign reads: "A n---- for your woodpile."


http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/28/living/feat-racist-dr-seuss-drawing/index.html

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. Even in 1929, he could depict the 1%

with unfliching honesty.

[MohRokTah]

2. 86 years ago things were much different.

Racism at the level in the piece was the norm at the time. It doesn't excuse anything, just serves as explanation.

It's shocking to realize how overt racism was even just fifty years ago.

[Nye Bevan]

5. I'm sure I'm not the only DUer who postively cringes at the memory of racist things

that my parents and grandparents said. Yes, it was horrible, but judging by my kids and their friends it is getting better generation by generation.

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. understood

[BlueJazz]

3. It's amazing the complete bullshit that African-Americans have had to put up with.

Disgusting hurtful crap...at it still goes on in many circles.

[Nye Bevan]

4. Ironic, given that "The Sneetches" is a wonderful book for teaching young kids about racism (nt)

[peecoolyour]

7. The best children's book author of all time.

Unfortunate, but not surprising.

He still holds the title.