Children’s book by chef Jamie Oliver withdrawn after First Nation Australians voice offense
Associated PressNov 10
Jamie Oliver Pulls Children's Book After Indigenous Backlash
Above: Jamie Oliver at Jamie's Italian onboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas on Nov. 10, 2023 in Sydney. Image copyright: James D. Morgan/Contributor/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
The Facts
UK celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and Penguin Random House UK have withdrawn his children's book "Billy and the Epic Escape" from sale following criticism from First Nations communities in Australia.
The book's subplot involves a First Nations girl living in foster care in Alice Springs, which drew criticism for allegedly perpetuating harmful stereotypes and trivializing complex histories.
The Spin
Narrative A
The book was created with good intentions and carefully designed to be accessible to readers, including those with dyslexia. It was part of a successful series of children's books by the celebrity chef known for his social advocacy. He never intended to misinterpret a challenging issue or cause harm.
Narrative B
The book perpetuates racist stereotypes that have been used to justify child removals for over a century, contributes to the erasure of First Nations peoples' experiences, and demonstrates a complete failure to engage with Indigenous communities in the creative process. First Nations' stories aren't to be told through a colonial lens. This book should indeed be pulled.