Roald Dahl Museum displays plaque apologising for author’s ‘racist views towards Jewish people’
Buckinghamshire museum has placed a panel in the welcome area of the building, condemning the celebrated children’s writer’s racism.
Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist
The Roald Dahl Museum in Buckinghamshire has placed a panel in the welcome area of the building, condemning the celebrated children’s writer’s “racist views towards Jewish people”.
The sentiment, echoed on the museum’s website, comes after months of closely co-ordinated work with the Antisemitism Policy Trust, and discussion with leading Jewish community organisations.
Steve Gardam, the museum’s director, said that the panel is only one of the steps the organisation is taking. “We are making statements on our website about the process we have gone through to develop our response to Dahl’s racism; in particular, consulting with organisations within the Jewish community”.
Additionally, there would be educational resources for schools which the museum hopes “will make a constructive contribution towards combating hate and prejudice. These materials explore universal children’s rights through the experiences of Roald Dahl child heroes”.
Mr Gardam said that when, in 2020, the Dahl family and the Roald Dahl Story Company, (which handles the author’s literary output), had apologised for Dahl’s racist views, “there was legitimate criticism that there had not been consultation with organisations from within the Jewish community”.
In the wake of that criticism, both the Story Company and the Museum had begun consultation with Jewish community organisations. The Museum, said Mr Gardam, had received staff training from the Antisemitism Policy Trust. Additionally, there was consultation with the Board of Deputies, CST, and the Jewish Leadership Council, who had helped the museum in the crafting of the text which will now be displayed in the museum’s entrance area.
The statement says: “The Roald Dahl Museum condemns all racism directed at any group or individual. We fully support the apology made in 2020 by the Dahl family and Roald Dahl Story Company for Dahl’s antisemitic views about Jewish people. Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
“The Dahl family and the Roald Dahl Story Company deeply apologise for the lasting and understandable hurt caused by Roald Dahl’s antisemitic statements. Those prejudiced remarks are incomprehensible to us and stand in marked contrast to the man we knew and to the values at the heart of Roald Dahl’s stories, which have positively impacted young people for generations. We hope that, just as he did at his best, at his absolute worst, Roald
Dahl can help remind us of the lasting impact of words.”
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: “I welcome the acknowledgement of the author’s antisemitism. The new statements – in their entrance gallery and on their website – are an important starting point with regard to providing the full story about a man whose works are enjoyed by millions. I look forward to working with the museum more closely to explore further ways to raise awareness on this issue and educate about anti-Jewish hate.”
Danny Stone, chief executive of he Antisemitism Policy Trust, told Jewish News that he welcomed the move by the Museum, which is in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, and is visited by hundreds of schoolchildren and families throughout the year.
He said: “We welcome this action from the museum, and are pleased that it intends to pursue anti-racism education.”
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