Peanuts by Charles Schulz for March 31, 1958
Transcript:
Lucy is talking to Linus who is sucking his thumb and holding his blanket. She says, "..And the tigers chased each other around the tree until they melted into butter.."<br> <br> She continues, "And Sambo ran home and his mother made pancakes, and Sambo ate a hundred an' sixty-nine pancakes!"<br> <br> She stares as Linus. <br> <br> He asks, "How could he eat so many pancakes after such an emotional experience?"<br> <br>
The Comic Connoisseur over 7 years ago
He had a blanket to calm him
Stormwyrm over 7 years ago
The story alluded to here is the Story of Little Black Sambo, by Helen Bannerman, published in 1899. It was one of the first books that gave a positive portrayal of black characters. Despite the actual lack of overt racist overtones in the story itself, it was denounced as perpetuating black stereotypes. By 1958 I imagine the controversy surrounding the book was beginning just as the civil rights movement was gaining steam.
yow4zip Premium Member over 6 years ago
One of life’s great conundrums.
FrostbiteFalls about 1 year ago
I’ve read arguments against the story being racist, largely due to how Sambo is able to use his own smarts and ingenuity to trick the stupid tigers into chasing each other and turning into butter.