November 10th 2024.
British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver wrote a children's book that has now been pulled from the shelves after receiving criticism for its portrayal of Indigenous Australians. The Guardian newspaper reported on Saturday that the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation had condemned the book, titled "Billy And The Epic Escape," for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and tropes about Indigenous Australians. This included misrepresenting their relationship with the natural and spiritual worlds.
One of the main concerns raised by the group was a subplot featuring an Indigenous girl living in foster care. They felt that this only added to the ongoing issue of "erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping" of First Nations peoples and their experiences. In response to the backlash, the 49-year-old Oliver expressed his deep remorse for causing offense and issued a heartfelt apology. He explained that it was never his intention to misinterpret such a sensitive and painful topic. As a solution, both he and his publishers, Penguin Random House, agreed to remove the book from circulation.
What was particularly disappointing for Indigenous campaigners was that neither Oliver nor his publishers had consulted with them before the book was released. This lack of communication was seen as a major oversight and raised questions about the publishing standards in place. In a statement, Penguin Random House acknowledged their mistake and vowed to do better in the future. As part of this, they announced their decision to withdraw the book from sale.
This is not the first time Oliver has ventured into the world of children's literature. Last year, he released his first book for kids, "Billy And The Giant Adventure." In a social media post, he shared that he had taken special care in selecting a font that would be easy for dyslexic readers, like himself, to read. The 49-year-old chef rose to fame in 1999 with his book and television show, "The Naked Chef." He has since been a vocal advocate for children's food and nutrition, even causing a stir in 2005 when he spoke out against the unhealthy school dinners in the UK.
The trend of celebrities writing children's books has faced criticism from established authors who feel that it is taking up space and opportunities in the market. However, Oliver's success and popularity have proven that there is still a demand for such books. As he continues to promote his latest recipe book in Australia, the controversy surrounding his children's book serves as a reminder to all creators to be mindful and respectful of the diverse cultures and experiences in our society.
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