Fairy tales, while beloved classics, often reflect the time and culture they were born from. This means some portrayals and themes in older stories might clash with our modern understanding of inclusivity and sensitivity. We explore 19 fairytales that are now considered racist.
Cinderella
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The story primarily features white characters, with minor characters of color often relegated to stereotypical or subservient roles. This lack of diversity can be seen as excluding or overlooking other perspectives and experiences. Some interpretations view the “Fairy Godmother” as appropriating elements from various cultures without sufficient understanding or respect. This raises concerns about cultural sensitivity and representation. Research by Jemimah L. Young, Marquita D. Foster, and Dorothy Hines looked into the phenomenon of Cinderella “always being white,” which emphasizes the racist overtones of the fairytale.
Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
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Some interpretations see the story’s portrayal of characters and settings as reflecting Orientalist tropes. This can involve stereotypical depictions of Middle Eastern cultures and characters, often relying on exaggerated features and generalizations. The genie’s character design and magical abilities might be seen as appropriating elements from various Middle Eastern and Asian cultures without sufficient understanding or respect. This can raise concerns about misrepresentation and cultural sensitivity.
Rumpelstiltskin
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The character of Rumpelstiltskin is sometimes depicted as having exaggerated physical features associated with Jewish stereotypes, particularly in older illustrations. This perpetuates harmful generalizations and reinforces harmful biases.
The Golliwog Stories
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The Golliwog character was created in the late 19th century, a time of widespread colonialism and racial prejudice. The exaggerated features and stereotypical behavior associated with the Golliwog reflected and reinforced these opposing views. The Golliwog’s physical appearance, with its jet-black skin, exaggerated red lips, and curly hair, is based on minstrel show caricatures of black people. These caricatures were used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and dehumanize black people.
The Story of Little Black Samb
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It’s important to acknowledge that “The Story of Little Black Sambo” is widely considered to be a racist and harmful story. The term “Sambo” itself is a racial slur, and the illustrations in many versions of the story depict Black people with exaggerated features and stereotypical clothing. The story reinforces negative stereotypes about Black people as being foolish, lazy, and childlike.
Tintin in the Congo
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“Tintin in the Congo” is a complex and problematic work, and its characterization as a “racist fairytale” is a valid interpretation from specific perspectives. Congolese characters are often depicted with exaggerated features and subservient roles, reinforcing negative stereotypes. Tintin assumes a position of authority and responsibility for the Congolese people, perpetuating colonial dynamics.
The Seven Chinese Brothers
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‘The Seven Chinese Brothers’ is considered a racist fairytale as all the brothers are depicted as identical, reinforcing the false notion of Asian people being indistinguishable. The brothers often rely on magical abilities or external help to overcome challenges, potentially implying a lack of agency.
Babar The Elephant
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The original “Babar” book was published in 1931 during colonial solid influences. This context inevitably shapes the story, where a white elephant character, Babar, arrives in a “primitive” jungle land and takes on a leadership role among the other animals.
Snow White
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Many people believe Snow White to be a racist fairytale due to the focus on Snow White’s skin color as the epitome of beauty, which can be seen as perpetuating harmful stereotypes about whiteness and Eurocentric beauty standards. While portrayed as kind and innocent, Snow White often relies on others for help and lacks agency in driving the narrative. This passivity could be interpreted as reinforcing gender stereotypes.
Hansel and Gretel
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The portrayal of the witch with a hooked nose and exaggerated features can be seen as perpetuating negative stereotypes about certain ethnicities or physical appearances.
Peter Pan
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Peter Pan was written by J.M. Barrie in 1904, a time when colonialism and racist views were prevalent. These views are reflected in the story, particularly in the way the Native American tribe, the “Piccaninnies,” are depicted. Whether Peter Pan is a “racist fairytale” is a complex and nuanced question with no easy answer. It’s essential to consider the story’s historical context, its portrayal of different characters, and how readers might interpret it today.
The Little Mermaid
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Some interpretations of Ursula, the sea witch, can be seen as perpetuating negative stereotypes about people of color due to her exaggerated features and association with dark magic. The story borrows elements from Danish folklore and Norse mythology, but its adaptation into a Disney film might raise concerns about appropriating Indigenous cultures and narratives. D.L. Hurley investigated the impacts of the lack of cultural diversity in Disney films on children and called for more people of color to be cast in movies for children.
Puss in Boots
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Some interpretations of Puss’s accent and mannerisms could be seen as perpetuating stereotypes about Hispanic or Latino characters. The portrayal of Puss, a talking cat, as the hero, while seemingly harmless, might raise concerns about perpetuating negative views of marginalized groups historically associated with being animalized.
Rapunzel
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People believe Rapunzel to be a racist fairytale. While the original Rapunzel fairytale doesn’t explicitly mention race, adaptations, and interpretations can perpetuate stereotypes or assumptions about characters’ appearances based on their ethnicity or origin.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
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As with many older fairytales, “Ali Baba” characters are primarily Middle Eastern, with little to no representation of other ethnicities. This lack of diversity can be problematic, as it reinforces the idea that certain cultures are the default or “normal” in storytelling.
The Princess and the Pea
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The fairytale primarily features characters of European descent, neglecting the representation of other ethnicities. This lack of diversity can create a perception that a specific appearance is the norm or standard, potentially excluding and marginalizing other cultures.
The Emperor’s New Clothes
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The setting and characters, often vaguely European in older interpretations, could reinforce stereotypes about non-Western cultures. It’s crucial to remember that judging entire cultures based on single fictional depictions is harmful and inaccurate. Joseph Graves, Jr, professor of evolutionary biology at Arizona State University, explored the persistence of racist ideology portrayed in the fairytale.
The Princess and The Frog
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Tiana’s transformation into a frog reinforces negative stereotypes associated with dark skin, particularly the trope of Blackness being linked to ugliness or misfortune. The film romanticizes the Reconstruction era South, glossing over the systemic racism and discrimination Black people faced during that time.
Frozen
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Some people think Frozen is a racist fairytale as some might interpret the portrayal of the Northuldra tribe as simplistic or romanticized, potentially reinforcing harmful stereotypes about indigenous communities. While Elsa is fair-skinned and initially perceived as the “good” sister, Anna, with her darker hair and features, later becomes queen, potentially perpetuating colorist biases.
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