Melania Trump has responded to the absurd actions from a Massachusetts elementary school librarian who rejected her gift of Dr. Seuss books claiming they are “steeped in racist propaganda.”
The first lady donated a collection of 10 Dr. Seuss books to one school in all 50 states to celebrate “National Read a Book Day,” but one of those generous gifts was rejected, Fox News reports.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Liz Phipps Soeiro, a librarian at a public school in Cambridge, rejected Trump’s gift and sent her a letter explaining that “Dr. Seuss’s illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.”
The first lady’s director of communications Stephanie Grisham issued a statement on Friday on behalf of Mrs. Trump that Soeiro’s response was “unfortunate” and that the gesture was meant “to help as many children as she can.”
“She has demonstrated this in both actions and words since her husband took office, and sending books to children across the country is but one example,” Grisham said. “To turn the gesture of sending young students some books into something divisive is unfortunate, but the First Lady remains committed to her efforts on behalf of children everywhere.”
“I wanted to send you a special gift. Dr. Seuss’s ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!‘ is a book my son and I have read over and over again, and one that we want to share with all of you,” Melania Trump wrote in her letter to students. “Please also remember that you are the future of America and that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
Sadly for the students of the elementary school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, their librarian let politics ruin a perfectly generous gift from the First Lady of the United States.
“I am honored that you recognized my students and our school. I can think of no better gift for children than books; it was a wonderful gesture, if one that could have been better thought out,” Soeiro wrote. She also attached a list of book recommendations for the first lady she hoped would “offer a window into the lives of the many children affected by the policies of your husband’s administration.”