Protest Chibikuro Sambo

Dear Mr. Tomio Inoue and Zuiunsha,

It is with great concern we learn that Zuiunsha is planning to re-release 'Chibikuro Sambo'[Little Black Sambo] on April 15th, 2005. We strongly protest the publishing and marketing of this book. We are writing to demand that Zuiunsha stop the publishing and marketing of Chibikuro Sambo.

'Chibikuro Sambo' is a book that carries anti-Black overtones. The images and the title are racially offensive and reflect blatant anti-Black sentiments of a particular time period. The images are caricatures of and an insult to people of African descent in Japan and throughout the world. The title is of great concern. When the author, Helen Bannerman, chose this name for her character in the late 19th century, she did so in an era when it was considered acceptable to use racist terms to identify people who the majority believed to be inferior. Using the term "sambo" today is like pouring salt into the slowly healing wound of racism that is trying earnestly to heal. There are writers and publishers in the United States who have changed the story title. One such story is now titled 'Sam and the Tigers' by Julius Lester. The objection is not to the story, but to the title and images.

The previously published versions of 'Chibikuro Sambo' received criticism from citizens groups in Japan and abroad. As a result, between 1988 and 1989, the picture book was taken out of print. The April 15, 2005 publishing and release of 'Chibikuro Sambo' will be evidence of a negative sentiment toward the black race and will perpetuate ignorance in Japan.

In our view, Zuiunsha should apologize for accepting the responsibility of promoting racial stereotypes and thus prejudice against people of African descent/Black people. We are requesting that you educate your customers and audience in the history of African people throughout the Diaspora. If you insist on publishing and marketing the book, then we ask that you change the title and illustrations. We encourage you to use this as an opportunity to use a children's book to educate children about world affairs by including an insert or prologue. The insert and prologue can explain the troubled history of this story and why racism is a problem that even as Japanese people, they should be aware of and sensitive to. This action will give Zuiunsha the opportunity to share both a good story and a lesson about racism with young children, thereby sowing a seed of racial awareness in a generation of children who will certainly need that awareness in our increasingly global-minded world.

We respectfully await your prompt response.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned


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