Popular Culture Review Vol. 10, No. 2, August 1999 | Page 141

Race Politics in Dr. Seuss’ The Sneetches

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The Star-Belly Sneetches’ form of hatred and displeasure ranged initially
from disgust to intolerance and was based solely on the dislike they had of the
Sneetches without “stars on thars.” However, in an effort to be more like the
dominant Sneetches, the Plain-Belly Sneetches took action to ‘remake’ themselves
through the magical machinations of visiting outsider, namely, Sylvester McMonkey
McBean, and his wonderful and peculiar Star On, Star-Off Machines.
Beside looking like Dr. Seuss’ grey, cat-like and mean-spirited Grinch
that stole Christmas, in Whoville, the cunning McBean, who gives an immediate
impression of deviousness, was able to artificially produce the same brilliant stars
on the Star-less Belly Sneetches, much to the chagrin of the original Star-Belly
Sneetches. Afterward, when the fantastic deed was done, the disparaged and former
Plain-Belly Sneetches happily and boisterously proclaimed:
We’re exactly like you! You can’t tell us apart.
We’re all just the same, now, you snotty old smarties!
And now we can go to your frankfurter parties.
(Dr. Seuss 1989, p.l2)
African Americans and other minorities have long tried to change, to adapt,
to remake themselves, and work within the constraints of the dominant society
like the Plain-Belly Sneetches. However, it seems there are those who can’t stand
to see others get ahead - or to share power. In essence, not all people are treated
the same way. The fact of the matter is, our society restricts those who are differ
ent from the dominant group.
Indeed, the attainment of stars on the former Plain-Belly Sneetches did
not mean the end of their problems or persecution. Therefore, removing the source
of the problem, or changing oneself, does not always mean a reduction in preju
dice or discrimination. Sometimes it takes a change in attitude.
This is why the resentful Star-Belly Sneetches, for a considerable mon
etary price c harged by the wily and shifty Sylvester McMonkey McBean, in turn
and undaunted, decided to remove their famous Belly Stars, saying wistfully and
defiantly, “We’re still the best Sneetches and they [the former Plain-Belly
Sneetches] are the worst” (Dr. Seuss 1989, p.l3).
This part of Dr. Seuss’ story illustrates accurately the burden many mi
norities are faced with when they try to advance socially in the dominant culture,
or to be accepted, as they are sometimes pulled back down, marginalized, or knocked
off their hard-earned perch. The Plain-Belly Sneetches can perhaps relate to this.
After the original Star-Belly Sneetches finally had their illustrious stars removed
by McBean’s Star-Off Machine, they bragged and “paraded about... with snoots
in the air,” indignantly stating: