Was Roald Dahl, the author of the famous book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory really racist? His depiction of the 'Oopa Loompas' created a storm of controversy that the original book was revised and the movie script was rewritten to provide viewers with a more 'politically correct' version of these loveable workers. The book paints a picture of Willy Wonka's helpers as African pygmies, working for a wage of cacao beans and singing songs in a war-like daze. Whereas the movie version, changes their dark skin to orange and dyes their hair green. But it is interesting to note that Roald Dahl's Oopa Loompa's are almost portrayed as angels in comparison to the little white children with all of their obvious greedy flaws. Perhaps, his Oopa Loompas, originally depicted as African pygmies, was simply an attempt to inform his readers of the slavery and trade issues surrounding chocolate? Now that's something to chew on.
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