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Hmmm... (Reply to this comment)
by smiles33,  in Kids & Family
Your epinion definitely leads one to pause to consider your points. I agree that an enlightened society should allow each individual to choose what to read. The problem is in implementing such a philosophy.
As another commentator pointed out here, there are very few resources availabile to help critically engage readers. The commentators who stated that they loved this book as a child and don't see it as racist may not have had someone provide the larger historical context of Little Black Sambo.
We do not live in a vacuum, and books are not written in one either. There are larger influences out there, including negative stereotypes and demeaning portrayals that this book may have capitalized on. A "simple" story of a boy's encounter with a tiger is not just that when you have a turbulent racial "war" at the same time it's written--especially if there aren't any African American writers to provide other images other than that of the simple-minded child.
In any event, I just wanted to thank you for raising this issue. As a librarian, I'm sure you are very passionate about this issue and I'm glad that you seek to protect the right of access for all of us. I just don't know how to address the issue of dealing with inflammatory material that may reach vulnerable children who don't know how to process the information.
Sincerely,
Anna
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Mar 05 '01
11:47 pm PST
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Who's going to have the critical debate (Reply to this comment)
by ritafp
While I agree that censorship should be avoided and that critical debate is necessary, the reality is that most teachers and librarians don't have the expertise to engage the critical debate. This opinion makes my point because while it sees the value in the book, it fails to understand and see how this story might impact a black child in school and impact the view others have of him/her. It should be clear that such books are from a racist time. Whether they have other redeeming value is subject for debate. I would argue that Little Black Sambo, unlike Huck Finn, has few. But I would not want my child (or any child) reading Huck Finn in school without the guidance of a well-informed, sensitive adult to assist in understanding what the book is about. In order to have that critical debate, we need teachers who understand the nature of racism and its impact of individuals and groups. The truth is, we do not.
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Feb 27 '01
1:04 pm PST
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When I was a Little Girl.. (Reply to this comment)
by lisalexx
My sister and I had a record telling the tale of Sambo that we listened to daily. We also used to go to "Sambo's" restaurant for pancake breakfast. We're not talking about in the bowels of the South. I grew up 20 minutes away from Detroit - incidentally the Sambo's restaurant of my youth was not lily white either.
Is "Sambo" a racist book? I don't know. I know I liked the book when I was little.
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Feb 27 '01
10:17 am PST
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I agree! (Reply to this comment)
by vania
This was one of my most favorite books when I was growing up! It is a classic story, and should not be banned just because the title might not be "politically correct."
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Feb 27 '01
9:44 am PST
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While I do not agree (Reply to this comment)
by s_trimble
with your assessment, I find your opinion valid. Censorship is in general not very helpful, but I have read 'Little Black Sambo,' and I can certainly see how modern blacks are offended. It is a racist work come from racist times, and a part of history that should be downplayed, at best. The same goes for the racist 'Bugs Bunny' cartoons that you won't see on Saturday mornings anymore.
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Feb 27 '01
9:44 am PST
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