In nearly all young people's books, historical and social processes are viewed from an individualistic perspective; thus it is assumed that racial problems can be solved on the individual level only. This is usually done by appealing to pity and charity, thereby degrading the coloured people to mere ob jects.
The Negro-African is often associated with ani mal behaviour and instinct. Both the Negro- African and the Afro-American are rarely por trayed as autonomous, independent human beings; initiative and activity are the domain of the white. The Afro-American is not allowed to display a value system of his own, he appears as a human being who has completely internalized the value system of white America.
Together with several other media with racist overtones, these kinds of young people's books legitimize subtle forms of neo-colonialism.
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