The museum named after the controversial children’s author says Roald Dahl’s racism was “undeniable” and “indelible”.
The charity, which was founded in 2001, DahlHis widow Lacey said in a statement on her website that it “condemns all racism against any group or individual”.
The Roald Dahl Museum, in Great Masondon, Buckinghamshire, said it would work to combat racism by being “more welcoming, inclusive, diverse and equal”.
And he said his staff had been trained to prevent antisemitism.
In 2020, His family apologized for the “anti-Semitic comments”. The late author said that his previous remarks were “unintelligible”.
It came amid concerns that the comments could damage his legacy – which continues as his estate signs deals with broadcasters to adapt his books.
Dahl’s words, his relatives wrote three years ago, “stand in contrast to the man” he knew.
Now the museum, which first opened its doors in 2005, wrote on his website.: “The Roald Dahl Museum condemns all racism against any group or individual.
“Roald Dahl’s racism is undeniable and undeniable but what we hope he can afford is the possibility of some good performance of Dahl’s creative legacy.”
The museum said it “does not publicly repeat Dahal’s anti-Semitic statements”, but keeps a record of what he wrote and said in the museum’s collection “so it is not forgotten”.
The charity said it was working with a number of Jewish groups including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Community Security Trust and the Anti-Semitism Policy Trust to develop resources for schools.
It will include free educational material for primary students that will encourage them to explore the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) through Dahl’s characters.
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl “welcomed” the charity’s statement which was also placed on the museum’s wall.
‘Key Starting Point’
Ms van der Zyl said: “The new statements – in his internal gallery and on his website – are an important starting point in providing the full story of a man whose work is enjoyed by millions.
“I look forward to working more closely with the museum to raise awareness of this issue and find more ways to educate about anti-Jewish hatred.”
In February, Puffin UK said it would keep Dahl’s work as intended. In print with the current version following criticism of a recent revision of his work to remove potentially offensive language.
The classic collection will sit alongside newly released Dahl books for young readers, which have been rewritten to “meet the sensibilities of a modern audience,” the publisher said.
The author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda died in 1990 at the age of 74.
Source by [Sky News]
