So here's something

[conuly]

The B&N at Union Square has a display in the kid's section, all books celebrating Hispanic Heritage.

Which is great, no complaints.

One of the books is about Maria Tallchief. Which is great, I happen to have a copy of that book that I snagged used, and until Sunday I'd only ever seen the one copy. Except that as near as I can tell, the woman was in no way, shape, or form Hispanic. So I'm not sure what they were thinking. It's not the strangest stocking error I've ever seen (putting a fantasy book in historical fiction would have to be, and a month after I called their attention to it it's yet to be corrected, but what do you expect?), but it's up there.

I didn't say anything.

Comments

[delphi]

I was going to say that I hoped their selection criteria was a bit more advanced than, "Is this person named Maria," but a search found this: 'My idol for dance is Maria Tall Chief. She was the first Native American ballerina, and she's also Hispanic. She was the reason I started dancing, and I've been trying to follow in her footsteps and just be part of that legacy.'
- Alyssa Lynna Velásquez, Colorado Ballet Corps de Ballet, Dancer, 23

It shows up on a few Hispanic heritage sites, so I'm guessing that might be where whoever planned the display got the assumption.

[beezelbubbles.livejournal.com]

My guess is that someone saw the name Maria, and made the assumption that obviously, with a name like that, she's Hispanic.

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

She's an Osage, for God's sake.

If you do decide to say something, you can point out that Native American Heritage Month is next month.

[conuly]

Native American Heritage Month? We have one of those now? Well, I'll definitely say something after all. I didn't want the book pulled off the shelf entirely because, y'know, it may be the only non-romanticized Native Americans kids ever see in picture books ever.

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. What I worry about is the fact that there is still prejudice against Indian people in many places. They may have snuck Maria onto the Hispanic collection in hopes that nobody would notice she was an Indian.

I don't want the book pulled off the shelf at all, but it would be good if they could put it out at the appropriate time. What are they doing for N.A.H.M. anyway, anything? Maybe you could ask if you have time.