Colonialism
European empires used racist images to perpetuate the idea that white Europeans were superior and in control. Texts from the British, Belgian, and French Empires depicted people of color as ‘immoral savages’ in need of civilizing. Many of these children’s books also used faulty scientific studies to justify discrimination. These studies are now disproven.
Anonymous click image to see the full book
Pity the Negro, or, An Address to Children on the Subject of Slavery
1825 Francis Westley
15p142
Enid Blyton (English, 1897-1968)
Three Golliwogs
1969 Dean & Son
23h51962
Jean de Brunhoff (French, 1899-1937)
Le voyage de Babar
1932 Editions du Jardin des Modes, Groupe des Publications Condé Nast
39h14071
Gift of Dr. Robert L. Egolf
Featuring one of the most recognized children’s characters in the world, this popular series of books is problematic. After traveling and being educated by a white woman, Babar, the King, introduces a form of Western civilization to the other elephants. Some have argued that Babar’s civilizing influence on his subjects is a justification for colonialism.
Hergé (Belgian, 1907-1983)
Tintin au Congo
1946 Casterman
Published in 1931, Tintin au Congo has become controversial over the course of the 20th century for its racist portrait of Congolese peoples, who are depicted as infantile, stupid, and ape-like. The book was not published in English until the 1980s, due to its racist content. Despite the controversies, Tintin au Congo remains popular, selling over 10 million copies worldwide.
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All items are from the Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature, Special & Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida