The History, Summary and Controversy of The Story of Little Black Sambo

The Story of Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman is a children’s book from 1899 that has sparked much controversy and conversation about racism in literature. While it was originally popular and well-intentioned, the illustrations and text contain offensive stereotypes by modern standards.

The story was written during British rule in India and intended to educate English children about a different culture using imagination and fantasy. However, the book relies on stereotypes that are racist and harmful by today’s standards.

Summary of The Story

Here is a summary of The Story of Little Black Sambo:

The Story of Little Black Sambo follows a young South Indian boy named Sambo who lives with his mother and father. One day, Sambo’s mother gives him a new blue coat, pair of blue trousers, red shoes, and a purple umbrella. Proud of his new clothes, Sambo goes for a walk in the jungle.

In the jungle, Sambo encounters four hungry tigers – a black tiger, a blue tiger, a red tiger, and a purple tiger. The tigers threaten to eat Sambo because they want his colorful clothes for themselves. Thinking quickly, Sambo comes up with a plan.

Sambo tricks the tigers into chasing each other around a tree until they melt into a pool of ghi (melted butter). Sambo recovers his clothes and picks up the ghi, bringing it back home to his mother. She uses the ghi to cook pancakes for the whole family.

The story relies on racial stereotypes in its illustrations and language, depicting Sambo and his family using offensive and exaggerated caricatures. The book was originally intended to educate English children about India, but perpetuates imperialist and racist attitudes. It sparked controversy and was banned by many libraries during the 20th century civil rights movement due to its offensive portrayal of black characters.

Racist Stereotypes in The Story

The text and William R. Motherwell’s illustrations depict black characters with exaggerated, clownish features reminiscent of minstrel shows. Sambo is drawn with large, red lips and jet black skin. His name also uses a racial slur for black children.

All black characters in the book are drawn the same way, appearing primitive and poor compared to light-skinned authority figures like English colonists. The book exoticizes Sambo’s origins and implies that Indian or African people were uneducated and in need of civilizing by British colonizers.

Backlash and Controversy Over the Book

By the mid-20th century, black civil rights groups and parents began criticizing Little Black Sambo for promoting damaging stereotypes. Many libraries removed the book from circulation because of its racist content.

The drawings and story have influenced other offensive caricatures and trademarks, including the “Sambo’s” restaurant chain which used a similar logo. Activists argued this perpetuated the normalization of racism in pop culture.

Legacy of The Story of Little Black Sambo

While Helen Bannerman likely did not intend to promote racial prejudice, the book’s stereotypical portrayals have not aged well. The controversy over Little Black Sambo reflects evolving social justice standards and activism to call out racist depictions, even in older children’s literature.

Many see the book as an example of how not to depict non-white cultures. Others argue it should be left in circulation to acknowledge a difficult part of writing history. Nonetheless, Little Black Sambo sparked important discussions about representation that continue today.

Modern Retellings and Perspectives

Some recent authors have tried to reclaim and rewrite Little Black Sambo to address its hurtful legacy. Julius Lester published Sam and the Tigers in 1996, reframing the story from an empowered black perspective without racist images.

Childhood education researchers have also used the controversial book to study how kids perceive race and stereotypes. Some classrooms have opened discussions about racist portrayals in Little Black Sambo as a teaching moment.

While Bannerman’s original story remains hurtful, the backlash opened conversations about diversity and representation that are still relevant. The evolution of perspectives on Little Black Sambo reflects broader societal progress toward racial justice, though there is still work to be done.

Conclusion

The Story of Little Black Sambo offers a complex lesson in literature, racism, and cultural shifts. While it was once accepted, many now see the book as perpetuating offensive stereotypes through insensitive depictions of non-white characters. However, Little Black Sambo can also serve as a starting point to discuss representation and point out harmful norms from the past. Over time, society’s standards for children’s books have improved as people advocate for more just, inclusive portrayals of people from all backgrounds.