Little Black Sambo Book To be republished in Japan.

[Bongo]

[Mulboyne]

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

Doesnt chibi translate into shrimp(derogatory) and not little.

[American Oyaji]

I've got to get my kids out of that country.

[Mulboyne]

Doesnt chibi translate into shrimp(derogatory) and not little.

Depends on the context and tone of voice. Call someone "chibi" and you could be calling them "shorty" but, as in the case of "Chibi Maruko chan", it usually has cute connotations.

But it does get used by anime freaks as a substitute term for SD (super deformed) when referring to characters with big heads etc...

[Caustic Saint]

This was one of the first "real" (non-picture) books I read as a kid. Actually, it may be the first.

Aside from the title (and the artwork) the story itself is anything but discriminatory. It's about a little kid who's hella smart and manages to outwit four tigers.

Don't belive me? Go read it for yourself.

[Bongo]

[Caustic Saint]

[Bongo]

[plaid_knight]

If the protagonist had been white, would the story still be racist?

[Socratesabroad]

[Big Booger]

It was the first time I had read a book with a black kid in it.. I think I was 2 or something. I don't see what the fuss is over that story book.. it's for kids and just because some racist fuckers want to turn it into something that it is not... is "BULLSHIT"

I suppose it is how you look at the book, that determines your views of it.. we associate meaning to symbols.. symbols/books/words/stories have no inherent meaning...

I actually liked this story as a kid and tried to make butter while running around a tree many times..

The story is about a little BLACK kid they call "SAMBO" running around the JUNGLE in nothing more than a loin cloth.
The term "SAMBO" & the stereotyped JUNGLE scene certainly must be offensive to black people.

What is NOT offensive to black people? LOL Kidding of course. And yeah, he is wearing a loincloth because he is in the jungle.. are you saying that blacks who live in Jungles are bad??? And the name sambo derives from Africa...

Sam"bo, n. [Sp. zambo bandy-legged, the child of a negro and an Indian; prob. of African origin.

that racists took it and twisted it up and made it something derogatory is one thing.

The story is a good one and I would read it to my children if and when I have them.

And amazon has this book in stock:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0397300069/102-2170898-9123310

[Bongo]

[jim katta]

You guys defending this book sound really fucking stupid. You KNOW it's not about the details and the story arc, please, give me a fucking break, this book is a racist classic. Period. Don't give me that, "But the details of the book aren't racist" shit. The book is what Neo Nazis use to promote hate to their children, if you don't know that, then go read some other books about Neo Nazis. Funny how when black issues like this come up, there's always some way to tell black people how they are being too sensitive. Bullshit. I don't hear any of you guys defending the book "MEIN KAMPF." Oh wait, let me guess, that book is totally different, right? Look, I could easily rationalize why "Mein Kampf" is a good read, but I won't. Why? Because the book is symbol of racial hate. Just like 'little black sambo'. It's these kinds of threads that make me jump for joy when I here a white person complain about discrimination in Japan. Suddenly, they understand how it feels... but then 'black sambo' is okay. WTF?

[Bongo]

You guys defending this book sound really fucking stupid. You KNOW it's not about the details and the story arc, please, give me a fucking break, this book is a racist classic. Period. Don't give me that, "But the details of the book aren't racist" shit. The book is what Neo Nazis use to promote hate to their children, if you don't know that, then go read some other books about Neo Nazis. Funny how when black issues like this come up, there's always some way to tell black people how they are being too sensitive. Bullshit. I don't hear any of you guys defending the book "MEIN KAMPF." Oh wait, let me guess, that book is totally different, right? Look, I could easily rationalize why "Mein Kampf" is a good read, but I won't. Why? Because the book is symbol of racial hate. Just like 'little black sambo'. It's these kinds of threads that make me jump for joy when I here a white person complain about discrimination in Japan. Suddenly, they understand how it feels... but then 'black sambo' is okay. WTF?

Know what you mean but, if you think these guys are bad check out the deal at Let's Japan in the thread I started over there under the name of Spliff.
They are indeed the aliens I thought they were.

http://www.letsjapan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=210

[Bongo]

It was the first time I had read a book with a black kid in it.. I think I was 2 or something. I don't see what the fuss is over that story book.. it's for kids and just because some racist fuckers want to turn it into something that it is not... is "BULLSHIT"

I suppose it is how you look at the book, that determines your views of it.. we associate meaning to symbols.. symbols/books/words/stories have no inherent meaning...

I actually liked this story as a kid and tried to make butter while running around a tree many times..

The story is about a little BLACK kid they call "SAMBO" running around the JUNGLE in nothing more than a loin cloth.
The term "SAMBO" & the stereotyped JUNGLE scene certainly must be offensive to black people.

What is NOT offensive to black people? LOL Kidding of course. And yeah, he is wearing a loincloth because he is in the jungle.. are you saying that blacks who live in Jungles are bad??? And the name sambo derives from Africa...

Sam"bo, n. [Sp. zambo bandy-legged, the child of a negro and an Indian]

that racists took it and twisted it up and made it something derogatory is one thing.

The story is a good one and I would read it to my children if and when I have them.

And amazon has this book in stock:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0397300069/102-2170898-9123310

Big Boger..
You will have those children one day man.
15 mins in the micorwave makes them really tasty.
That said, I can't eat a full one these days.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

Is reading sambo to my child going to make him a racist or would it be better for me to take him down to kabikucho and show him black people selling drugs and being slave masters, because essentialy in this day and age Black men are trading in White women. The whole racism debate is flawed in this day and age as american agenda does not have a clear perspective of what constitues racism.

[Bongo]

[Bongo]

[plaid_knight]

Jim

You just compared a make-believe story about a 3 year old outwitting tigers to Hitler's plan to rise to power. If you can't tell the difference between the two, you need to retake some Lit classes.

Bongo

You have given up trying to use logic in your debate and have gone to insults. You lose.

[dimwit]

I hear this annoying debate all the time. Reading 'Sambo' does not lead one down the path to racism anymore than reading 'The Merchant of Venice' makes one an anti-semite. I doubt 'Sambo' is high on the list of reading priorities of Klansman (assuming that they read) or Neo-Nazis who are far more interested in reading shit like 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion'

[jim katta]

You just compared a make-believe story about a 3 year old outwitting tigers to Hitler's plan to rise to power. If you can't tell the difference between the two, you need to retake some Lit classes.

I KNEW someone was going to make this comparison "in this particular way". Which is exactly why I specifically said, it's not about the content of the books, but what they represent to so many people.

The Bible was used for centuries to justify slavery, it's alternately used to promote peace, and it's OFTEN used to promote WAR. But at the end of the day, the reason you can't burn Bibles in public without being attacked is not because of what the book CONTAINS, but what it REPRESENTS. If "you" can't make that distinction, than you need more than a college class, you need some basic intellectual growth tablets.

Regarding Neo's comments,
Dude, it's frustrating to read you sometimes. You have many interesting and informative things to say on this site, but when you unveil your racial perspective, it really undercuts the credibility of your mindset. The fact that you saw a couple of black men pimps/drug sellers, and equated that with "black men" in general, reveals your real opinion, so you'll probably love the re-issue of "little black sambo." The VAST majority of pimps in Japan are Chinese and Japanese, the VAST number of drug sellers are Iranian, Israeli, Chinese and Japanese. But let's not let fact get in the way of your opinion. Again, this isn't about the "contents" of the book, it's about what it represents. If you are unable understand the sensitivities of such things, you have no business being in another race's country, and should just confine yourself to where ever you are originally from. Some of the old US made WWII cartoons that depicted Japanese in an ugly racist way, where actually quite well drawn, written, and had great scores. Would I let my kid watch these simple because the animation was good and entertaining? NO!!!!

[plaid_knight]

Which is exactly why I specifically said, it's not about the content of the books, but what they represent to so many people.

By "so many people" you mean you and anyone who happens to agree with you. If the book bothers you that much, don't buy it when it is republished.

Freedom of speech means that you as an individual may encounter works you don't agree with or find offensive. Ignoring these items may be your best bet.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

Regarding Neo's comments,
Dude, it's frustrating to read you sometimes. You have many interesting and informative things to say on this site, but when you unveil your racial perspective, it really undercuts the credibility of your mindset.

Its nice to give a compliment just before you call me a racist, sugar really helps the medicne go down.

The fact that you saw a couple of black men pimps/drug sellers, and equated that with "black men" in general,

Remember I am not american and I didnt even specify where they were from. Most of them are from Nigeria I know. Its not really racist but nigerians are only trouble, in europe and not just Japan. Even my sister dated a nigerian, 3 months later he wanted her to do some scaming with him.
Fact of the matter even in America Black people are coming from a coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, from thoes backgrounds white and blacks are predestined to be involved in a drug culture, funnily its pretty much the norm that black people are driven to be the dealers and whites the abusers.
I am not generalising but if I see a black man in kabukicho I am not going to get to close.

If you are black then you dont know the real situation, because just waling through kabukicho you get hounded by black totes trying to rip you off.

If and when I am inclined to get score some grass I would probably chose a black man over an israili.
Its a trust thing.

The VAST majority of pimps in Japan are Chinese and Japanese,

Well thats a non issue as there are more Japanese people in japan than any other race.
But 99.9% of nigerians overhere are not here to score a tech job in a blue chip company.

Again, this isn't about the "contents" of the book, it's about what it represents.

Have Black americans forgot that there are actualy black people in Africa that wear nothing but a string and live in the jungle?

If you are unable understand the sensitivities of such things

I am not American so I wasnt brough t up in a country where Racism is flurishing.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

By "so many people" you mean you and anyone who happens to agree with you. If the book bothers you that much, don't buy it when it is republished.

I bet any money, that the people who will buy this book the most are Black people. Maybe there will be a new book burning revolution. I will be there too but with my copy of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" There is so much bad a about that book.

[Mulboyne]

I bet any money, that the people who will buy this book the most are Black people.

Well, we're talking about a book in Japanese, sold in Japan so I wouldn't offer that bet if I was you.

[jim katta]

It's convenient to disassociate yourself from a particular country, but then hide what country you are from. Are you white? Probably. From a colonial nation? Probably.

I am not generalising but if I see a black man in kabukicho I am not going to get to close.

Uhm, WAKE UP, that IS generalizing. Also, it IS important to distinguish Nigerians from Black Americans. You may not know this, but there's a big difference. It's like calling a Japanese person Chinese, the two groups may be Asian, but there are significant cultural differences.

Most Japanese (and whites) living in Japan think the Nigerians they see in kabukicho are the same as American Blacks. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Those Africans dress in hip hop clothes and lie and say they are from New York. This is all a hustle that has nothing to do with Black Americans. If you are from New Zealand, I'm sure you don't want me calling you Australian. If you are from England, I'm sure you don't want me calling you a Scot. Similarly, Black Americans don't appreciate being confused with Africans. There is a big difference.

As for your opinion of Blacks in the US, if you are not "from" the US, then your opinion on American Blacks is likely based on movies and media stories. Meaning, your opinion on American Blacks is based on perception, not reality. Just like a lot of people who have never actually been to Japan think that a Ninja will attack you with Judo chopsticks on the way home if you look at someone wrong.

Well thats a non issue as there are more Japanese people in japan than any other race.

Glad you pointed that out. That number factor is the same reason that in America there are more white poor people, more white drug sellers, and more white pimps. Just because the media doesn't tell you this doesn't mean it isn't true. Just because the jail statistics free more whites doesn't mean they aren't as guilty as other races.

Have Black americans forgot that there are actualy black people in Africa that wear nothing but a string and live in the jungle?

(In Ronald Reagan voice...) There you go again, Neo. As I stated before, the issue isn't about the details/contents of the book, it's about what the book represents. In Mein Kampf, it depicts Jews as cheap. Are some cheap? Sure, just like any other race. Does it make the depiction of that cheapness a valid reason for the book to be widely distributed? No. It's a racist piece of garbage, just like 'Little Black Bambo.' But since you are from the Invisible Nation of Who Knows where, I'll just assume you are from Iran, and are totally objective because you have your own worries.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

I bet any money, that the people who will buy this book the most are Black people.

Well, we're talking about a book in Japanese, sold in Japan so I wouldn't offer that bet if I was you.

I was just funing it up so I could say "Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs.

But you would have to do a lot more than book burning. There is a movie, merchandise and even a game for the 8bit nintendo.


Lets all meet up for the Nintendo cartridges burning!
Delete you Snow white Romz too.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

It's convenient to disassociate yourself from a particular country, but then hide what country you are from. Are you white? Probably. From a colonial nation? Probably.

I am not generalising but if I see a black man in kabukicho I am not going to get to close.

Uhm, WAKE UP, that IS generalizing. Also, it IS important to distinguish Nigerians from Black Americans. You may not know this, but there's a big difference. It's like calling a Japanese person Chinese, the two groups may be Asian, but there are significant cultural differences.

Most Japanese (and whites) living in Japan think the Nigerians they see in kabukicho are the same as American Blacks. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Those Africans dress in hip hop clothes and lie and say they are from New York. This is all a hustle that has nothing to do with Black Americans. If you are from New Zealand, I'm sure you don't want me calling you Australian. If you are from England, I'm sure you don't want me calling you a Scot. Similarly, Black Americans don't appreciate being confused with Africans. There is a big difference.

As for your opinion of Blacks in the US, if you are not "from" the US, then your opinion on American Blacks is likely based on movies and media stories. Meaning, your opinion on American Blacks is based on perception, not reality. Just like a lot of people who have never actually been to Japan think that a Ninja will attack you with Judo chopsticks on the way home if you look at someone wrong.

Well thats a non issue as there are more Japanese people in japan than any other race.

Glad you pointed that out. That number factor is the same reason that in America there are more white poor people, more white drug sellers, and more white pimps. Just because the media doesn't tell you this doesn't mean it isn't true. Just because the jail statistics free more whites doesn't mean they aren't as guilty as other races.

Have Black americans forgot that there are actualy black people in Africa that wear nothing but a string and live in the jungle?

(In Ronald Reagan voice...) There you go again, Neo. As I stated before, the issue isn't about the details/contents of the book, it's about what the book represents. In Mein Kampf, it depicts Jews as cheap. Are some cheap? Sure, just like any other race. Does it make the depiction of that cheapness a valid reason for the book to be widely distributed? No. It's a racist piece of garbage, just like 'Little Black Bambo.' But since you are from the Invisible Nation of Who Knows where, I'll just assume you are from Iran, and are totally objective because you have your own worries.

So let me get this straight, I am racist against American blacks but generalising Black Africans is ok?

Thats not Racism btw its sectarianism/nationalism, racism(agendas) in America confuses these.

[Mulboyne]

From IMDB.com

Minister Organizes Protest Over 'Lil' Pimp'
A Durham, NC minister is organizing a campaign to persuade video stores to remove the animated feature Lil' Pimp from their shelves. The Revolution Studios production, originally scheduled for theatrical release in October 2003 by Sony, recently was released straight to video by Lion's Gate. It tells the story of a white misfit, rejected at home and at his suburban school, who is taken in by pimps and prostitutes in his town's inner city. It features the voices of Bernie Mac, Lil' Kim and Ludacris. Lil' Pimp was quickly denounced by the Rev. Paul Scott, founder of the Messianic Afrikan Nation in Durham, who maintained that it features degrading images of African-Americans. "Black children are given a warped, whitewashed version of history as it is, and movies like Lil' Pimp make the situation worse," Scott told the Charlotte News & Observer. Scott said that he had fired off letters to Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Blockbuster, demanding that they remove the feature from their shelves. "I haven't heard from any of them," he said.