Peanuts by Charles Schulz for March 31, 1958
March 30, 1958
April 01, 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 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.