Almost every children's book that depicts a serious issue, such as racism, tells a complete story where the problem is solved and is no longer a problem. I believe this is a big part of why so many people think that racism (again, for example) isn't a problem anymore.
Because, they learned, from a very young age, and for many years, that such problems were solved.
There is a very strong and understandable impulse for children's books to be comforting, and to shy away from un-answered questions. This, as you point out, leads to a warped view of reality that parents then should correct.
I think it's less children's books and more decades of propaganda from right wing sources decrying things like affirmative action, DEI etc. If some are to be believed, white men are the most discriminated group in the US.
Almost every children's book that depicts a serious issue, such as racism, tells a complete story where the problem is solved and is no longer a problem. I believe this is a big part of why so many people think that racism (again, for example) isn't a problem anymore.
Because, they learned, from a very young age, and for many years, that such problems were solved.
There is a very strong and understandable impulse for children's books to be comforting, and to shy away from un-answered questions. This, as you point out, leads to a warped view of reality that parents then should correct.