Is racism acceptable in predominantly white areas then?

[beansprout]

Have just been to Lyme Regis for my holiday. Was utterly shocked to repeatedly see golliwogs for sale in toy shops and at craft fairs but the piece de resistance was surely being in a book shop and seeing a book called "The Little Black Sambo" for sale. This was a children's book, which somehow made it worse. I told the manager I was very offended by this but she was incredibly ignorant. She started off by saying "are you black?" (I'm not) so I explained that I don't have to be black to be offended by racism.

To cut a long story short she was adamant that the book was fine and I was the one being ignorant (?!). She was very defensive and absolutely refused to acknowledge what I was saying.

I was born and live in London. You just wouldn't see this stuff here but is it really normal in other areas? Am interested to know!!

but if you consider that the majority of shops in lyme regis are aimed at tourists.... what does that tell you?

same goes for brighton pier

The book was written in 1899! Personally, I'm pretty glad we have moved on from a lot of things since then - women having the vote, children not being up chimneys, that kind of thing. This book is right up (down) there with those sorts of attitudes.

tbh I think it would be more the 'retro' vibe that the shop keeper would be going for rather than the racist one.

I don't think people with racist attitudes would buy these items it would be people who think the items are "cute" or the book is a "nice story". The may be ignorant in some peoples eyes but not racist.

But isn't the market in the book and the golliwog dolls being in part being driven by the desire to be more multi-cultural. I thought that child-minders and nurseries all had to provide a suitable mix of dolls/books etc. Haven't we had threads where childminders have been trying to track down "ethnic" dolls in order to pass their OFSTED inspection?

but it wasn't written from a racist POV.

the story itself is a really nice story!

errrrrrrrr beansprout have you actually read it?

it depicts Sambo's family as honest, hardworking and loyal. A truly inspirational book I'd say

Beansprout, have you read the book? In what way do you think that it is racist? The only racist part was the title!

That a lot of BNP members go to Lyme for their holidays? (joke!!!!)

Actually, I don't think most shops are aimed at tourists. It's just an average small town high street - Co-op, bakers, greengrocers etc.

yeah but the shop where you saw the gollys and the book were probably touristy shops... yes?

ytou certainly didn't see them in a bakers or greengrocers!

The story is reproduced here .

I found the cover and the title offensive. The story may be nice, but the characters it uses are not. That's my view. I don't like offensive stereotypes or caricatures.

Anyone who thinks the book is sweet is very welcome to come to Harlesden and have that debate with some of my friends here. I would love to see that actually!

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No Starlover, I saw them in a toy shop and at a Craft Fair. Not in touristy shops.

Which character is "not nice"? Do you just find a picture of a black child racist?

notice no-one complains about "little white squibba" or "little kettle-head"

both of whom are white!

i have been to lyme regis beansprout and would definitely say that the shops are mainly tourist orientated. even toy shops.

all we are trying to say is that this book was not written with the intention of being racist or offending. it is only modern reactions that make it so

It isn't jsut a picture of a black child.

Anyway, have to go. I'm saddened by the endless defence of this book but that's us lefty liberals for you!

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yes it is giraffeski!

It looks like Little Black Sambo wasn't meant to be racist when it was written (although, strangely, it appears to be partly set in India, so it's certainly confused).

But now, the names and images don't fit with modern sensibilities. And the name "Little Black Sambo" is certainly associated with some unpleasantness.

giraffeski, DH has suggested the same thing, only I've looked around a bit today, and they do Craig David, too, with a similar sort of effect. It does look like Craig David, though, at least. They may just be generally offensive, rather than specifically racist.

Well if you really do still find the book racist, then you should be aware that it is still being sold all over the country, and even in London. I'm afraid that you will also find it in schools and libraries.

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I grew up and live in a predominantley white area, and I can say, whether people like it or not, that I dont give a shit what colour anyone is.

Now Im really really trying to put this in a way that wont offend anyone, but, I sometimes feel that the more attention that is brought to an issue can make it worse. Im struggling here! What I mean is that if its not an issue to some people, then it just isnt, and they just dont get it, IYSWIM.

I am more than aware that it is not like this everywhere but I truly believe that this does apply for a lot of people.