“Of Mice and Men” removed from Welsh GCSE curriculum due to racial slur concerns

Starting next September, the classic American novel “Of Mice and Men” will no longer be part of the GCSE curriculum in Wales, following concerns regarding racism and the inclusion of racial slurs. Written by John Steinbeck and set in the 1930s, the book has long been a core component of the English literature qualification. Rocio Cifuentes, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, expressed approval of this decision, stating that classroom discussions of the book had caused “psychologically and emotionally” harmful experiences for some black students. The WJEC exam board stated that it has chosen “a wide range” of “appropriate and inclusive texts” for its updated English language and literature GCSE. Ms. Cifuentes noted that numerous black children had “specifically mentioned this text and the harm that it caused them” during her research into racism within secondary schools. She emphasized the importance of providing “opportunities for positive, constructive, informed discussions on race and racism,” but highlighted that “alternative texts available, which could still offer the same opportunities but in a less directly harmful way.” “It’s not censorship,” she affirmed, adding, “This is safeguarding the wellbeing of children who have told us how awful those discussions have made them feel in those classrooms.” She further explained, “They’ve very often been the only black child in that classroom when discussions all around them are focusing on very derogatory, negative depictions of black people.” Marley, aged 16, recalled listening to the audio version of “Of Mice and Men” with his classmates. He stated that when racial slurs were encountered, people “laughed and giggled and stared at me and it made me feel really uncomfortable.” Bowen Cole, 18, a former member of the Welsh Youth Parliament, studied “To Kill a Mockingbird,” another classic novel that will not be part of the new qualification. He commented that the issue lies with using “the words that should not be said in this day and age” in class, rather than with the books themselves. “I was the only black person there in a class which was completely white,” Bowen stated, describing the experience of hearing the book’s racist language repeated in lessons as “really awkward” and “confusing.” Steinbeck’s novel, published in 1937, is currently one of five choices available to schools within a unit of the WJEC’s English literature GCSE. The story is set during the Great Depression and chronicles the journey of two ranch workers in California as they travel in search of employment. Rhian Evans, an English teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen, noted that the book was a favored option among schools due to its accessibility for students of all abilities and its introduction of significant themes concerning “how we treat each other in general in our societies.” She explained that they refrained from repeating the N-word during classroom discussions of the book. “We always discuss why we don’t use it and I think it does allow for that discussion,” she stated. However, she added, “But I think the truth is that as a white woman I will never know what it feels like to be a child of colour in a classroom where they are forced to encounter that word as part of their GCSE education.” While “Of Mice and Men” “would be missed,” Ms. Evans suggested that other authors “who come from all sorts of backgrounds and who would perhaps also introduce the same kind of themes, but in a more relevant and a more modern way to pupils of today.” Harry, 17, expressed that the classroom provided a secure setting for discussing the novel’s sensitive topics. “I felt it was a good place to do it in school where if you had any questions you can discuss with the teacher or any of the pupils who were learning it with you,” he commented. He added, “As long as we associate the behaviour in the book as something that isn’t OK, I don’t think learning about it will be any problem.” Celyn, 16, held mixed opinions about the novel, stating that its portrayal of women and other “old-fashioned” beliefs caused her discomfort. She remarked, “I think it made us more aware maybe that some things still haven’t changed.” Jack, 17, reported: “Before we got to a bit that was going to be uncomfortable we had a discussion as a class and we would agree on what would be OK.” This new qualification, which combines English language and literature into a single GCSE, forms part of a broader reform of qualifications across Wales, effective from next September. The WJEC stated: “This is a new qualification, and as such, our starting point for selecting texts was not the existing English literature qualification.” The board engaged an anti-racism consultant “to help us ensure our qualifications reflect a modern and inclusive Wales” and sought advice from a diverse array of organizations. It further commented: “We have provided a choice of work from writers of diverse backgrounds, nationalities, genders, and communities.” “We believe this new selection will enrich the educational experience by providing a choice of texts that explore themes that will resonate with learners,” the board concluded. In Northern Ireland, “Of Mice and Men” remains an optional text within the GCSE English literature curriculum. A prominent exam board in England removed the text in 2014, following a statement by then-Education Secretary Michael Gove advocating for the study of more British literary works.