Have you ever really considered Captain Hook and Peter Pan? Captain Hook was a distinguished captain in the Royal Navy, with an impeccable record. He graduated with honors from Eton College. Peter Pan, on the other hand, stole babies. BABIES! In Neverland, he somehow managed to bring Native Americans into that world. Really think about it.
A few years ago, during Covid, I had my kids watch Disney's original Peter Pan, and I was appalled. The depiction of the “Pickininy tribe” was full of racist stereotypes. The only exception was Tigerlily, who was Westernized and sexualized. I let my kids finish watching it but not without giving them a disclaimer. Indigenous people are beautiful. This is not an accurate representation.
I was in the middle of writing a different novel about medicine, my area of expertise, when I decided to retell this story. It's often seen as harmless. Whether it's the Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, Jeep Cherokee, or Blackhawk helicopters, indigenous people are PEOPLE and deserve respect. This led me on a journey of research and self-discovery.
Captain James addresses these wrongs.
I truly believe that this epic fantasy retelling is not only enjoyable but also a guide for society moving forward. We are the best of us, not the least of us.
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