My son is three years old and knows all the words to Lift Every Voice and now he knows all the words to The Story of LIttle Black Sambo. I am hurt, appalled and sad but mostly incredibly angry at this school.
Update-First thanks for the great discussion, and support. I have not been able to respond because I had to go to work. Believe it or not I actually am a part time aide at my son's pre-school. To answer a couple of questions. The book in question was the original, not the remade version. I may not have been clear but, I never suggested banning the book. This book should be used for higher grades as a way to show racial stereotypes. In addition the story itself is not the problem it is the illustrations and the title. Sambo was already a racial slur when this book was written and this book contributed to mainstreaming the racial slur as well as mainstreaming the picaninny caricature of black americans. It made it easier for other people to create books, cartoons, shows etc. representing blacks in such an unfavorable light. My three year old is NOT offended by this book. I never said he was, and I did not ask him. However, minimizing the internalizing of negative, offensive racial stereotypes is one of my goals in raising my kids. I hope this answers some questions and THANKS ALL!!
For those of you that are unaware of the Story of LIttle Black Sambo it was a book written in 1899. It was written by a white Scottish woman living in India. She told the story of a young boy who was chased by tigers, however, eventually outwitted the tigers. Here is a link http://www.sterlingtimes.co.uk/... The pictures are classic picaninny caricatures http://www.ferris.edu/... with big lips, rolling eyes and extra dark skin. Yet, this book was read in a pre-school class, my son's pre-school class, my beautiful bi-racial son has been exposed to some of the most vile, de-humaizing stereotypes of black Americans all because his teacher chose not to educate herself on race and multi-culturalism.
So, why am I writing this diary? Is it even a diary or do I just feel safe venting my concern on this site? I am not sure I know the answer to those questions. But, what I do know for sure is that the reason this book Little Black Sambo has been read in my son's class is because this teacher has been teaching for 30 years and no parent spoke up against this book, no parent put themselves out there to stop this practice. What I know is sometimes the most hurtful and harmful types of racism are the most subversive. The kind that isn't "in your face," but rather the kind that you have to point out and bring to the surface. What I know is that it takes all of us with alot of courage to end this type of racism. It takes people to recognize how harmful, and damaging this is for kids of color and for white kids. I hope this "diary" means something to you and resonates with some of you and maybe you have had the same experiences as myself.