Kristen Bell Criticized For Children’s Book On 'Purple People' Amid BLM Protests
Image via Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
The Good Place star Kristen Bell faced backlash over her children’s book called The World Needs More Purple People. The book was deemed inappropriate during a time where Black Lives Matter movements are being carried out to raise awareness on systemic racism in the US.
Bell responded to the criticisms on Twitter, and further explained the message behind the children’s book. After clarifying that she is “not qualified to teach” about race, Bell divulged that the book is about kids “finding things in common, being inclusive, being kind, [and] being uniquely themselves.”
The actress also stated that the book was written years in advance and the idea of a "purple person" was to offer “kids a road map to not being as divisive politically as their parents are.”
I think people are just confused abt what the book is. Its being looked at like book intended to teach kids abt race, which its not at all,&I am also not qualified to teach on. Its a book abt kids finding things in common, being inclusive, being kind,&being uniquely themselves.Xo
— Kristen Bell (@KristenBell) June 15, 2020
Not at all. This book is not intended on teaching kids anything about race. Instead, its about teaching kids to find out what personality traits have in common and be kind, inclusive, and individually themselves. If you ever read it, you'd know. Xo
— Kristen Bell (@KristenBell) June 15, 2020
In addition, random house participates in "authenticity reads" as part of the editorial process. Those readers were asked to evaluate with an eye toward inclusion and to help us recognize any blind spots.
— Kristen Bell (@KristenBell) June 14, 2020
Hmm, I'm sorry that brings up a terribly racist idea in your head. Let's retire that song and never think of it again. Our Purple People are kind, inclusive, hardworkers, laugh alot, and love being uniquely themselves. Xo
— Kristen Bell (@KristenBell) June 15, 2020
[via Complex, cover image via Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com]
