I haven't seen this movie but I know more than any of you guys who call the book racist. Well here is a fact for you. Sambo has nothing to do with Africans or Africa. The story is about a brave kid set in India. Helen Bannerman lived in India for 30 years, she doesn't know ABC about Africa. There are Tigers, Mongoose, Elephants, Muggers (you would know they are crocodiles if you are Indian), Mangoes, Ghee, Dhobi (you would know what that means if you are Indian). Where the heck is Africa coming from here. Africa get out of Little Black Sambo please and never again try to own it or use it for racism. These are stories of very brave Indian kids.
Review of Little Black Sambo
Little Black Sambo
(1935)
Helen Bannerman's Sambo is not African, He is Indian for Petes sake!!!
22 February 2009