In my last article, I briefly went over how children's literature from specific era's of time correlates to that era's perception of children. In this article, I will give you an example of how in the past that perception came from many things, including race and how we choose to interpret and respond to that literature today.
An article from The Salt Lakes Tribune, called “Sambo's New Look Doesn’t Calm Critics,” the original book, "The Story Little Black Sambo," and its adaptation, "Sam and the Tiger" are debated; over whether the original or both books overtone is racist and should the titles and character names are changed because of it.
The original book tells the story of Little Black Sambo, his mother, Black Mumbo, and father, Black Jumbo. The characters names made the story controversial since its publication in 1899 due to, to quote the article “how all three names are seen by certain sects of society as derogatory towards black people." Sambo especially due to how in the past it was used as a slur for a black man. The adaptation of the book Sam and The Tiger, has almost the exact same storyline with only slight variations. The most noteworthy difference being all the characters in the book are named Sam.
The plot, in my opinion, in either version is just like any story written for children’s entertainment; I would hypothesize that had the characters not been named in what some would assume as derogatory terms there would have been no controversy over the original book. That more than likely being the reason for the adaptation, to take out the controversy but keep the storyline.
Christopher Bling, an award-winning illustrator and the illustrator of "The Story of Little Black Sambo," stated in the article, “I feel people who truly love the story see the character the way I drew him, in a positive way, rather than as a negative buffoon.” Bling goes on to express his opinion of "Sam and The Tiger," when saying how trying to change the names of the characters and title of the book would be like hiding and “he would see it as veiled racism."
Personally, I can understand Bling’s perspective and often do find it offensive when people try to tiptoe around or ignore issues involving race and not address them. However, I can also empathize with a parent not wanting their child to have to deal with or learn the derogatory terms mentioned in the book at such a young age.
The question whether "The Story Of Little Sambo or Sam and The Tiger" should be read to children I feel is a moral gray spot. Should we expose them to what many perceive as racism or act like it doesn’t exist and potentially teach them subconsciously how to act later on in life? I don't think there is a right answer.
