Why is Song of the South racist?

[Ricky]

I just watched this for the first time after going on Splash Mountain, wondering who all the characters were.

I've heard it was banned for being racist. I'm not sure about "banned" but Disney seems to have decided not to sell the movie anymore, stating it's highly offensive, yadda yadda.

Anyway, the main character in the movie who is black, Uncle Remus, is totally the good guy and it seems like they are doing the OPPOSITE of being racist. The white kid and the black kid both get along, etc.

How is this movie even slightly racist?

[CannonFodder]

Cause it paints a idealistic view of slavery.

[Ricky]

Cause it paints a idealistic view of slavery.

Would it have been better if Remus got his ass beat when he kept telling the kid stories?

That's probably a more realistic view of slavery but that is a lot more offensive and wouldn't be in a Disney movie, come on... =P

Maybe I'm misunderstanding how this is a problem. It's not promoting the idea of slavery, as it had been illegal for almost 100 years.

[Butterflygoddess]

Ricky, I've got one hell of a vid for you: http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/vid...g-of-the-south

In fact, I'm gonna re-watch it now.

[zachhart12]

Ricky, I've got one hell of a vid for you: http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/vid...g-of-the-south

In fact, I'm gonna re-watch it now.

OH NO LOL

[Ricky]

Ricky, I've got one hell of a vid for you: http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/vid...g-of-the-south

In fact, I'm gonna re-watch it now.

That was very interesting.

Also, I didn't notice when I watched the movie the fox called that thing a tar baby.

Still, you'd think they could edit out those 2 words instead of denying the whole movie...

[Tybalt Maxwell]

because obv. a family movie not being violent means it condones slavery

I mean god Ricky are you stupid

[Elim Garak]

Cause it paints a idealistic view of slavery.

Yup because they didn't want to offend the African Americans nor the Bubba jays in the south.
Though the movie is supposed to be set after the civil war.
Also, here have some American propaganda http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMTLMPcyprg

[Butterflygoddess]

That was very interesting.

Also, I didn't notice when I watched the movie the fox called that thing a tar baby.

Still, you'd think they could edit out those 2 words instead of denying the whole movie...

I agree, it seems such a waste since the animation and live action combination was so well done. Also, I absolutely have to say that James Baskett carried that whole film with his performance.

[Ricky]

Actually, looking into it tar baby isn't even racist.

The term apparently came from the stories. I always thought it was a derogatory term for a black person but apparently it's not...

[Serbia Strong]

Also, here have some American propaganda http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMTLMPcyprg

I think American propaganda pertaining the Pacific War really takes the cake in being incredibly offensive.
*Incredibly NSFW*

[Ad Hoc]

I've never seen the entire film, just a few of the animated segments; therefore, I'm going to refrain from commenting on the racial content.

The animated sequences are fucking gorgeous though.

[GaFruff]

It's a shame everyone has to judge old things by modern day standards.. I heard a bit on the radio the other day about how most operas don't have any strong female characters.. well yeah all the famous ones were written in the 1700/1800s. It's an unfair comparison because the cultural attitudes were different.

Also I find the new Disney animations to be offensive... visually.

[Serbia Strong]

It's a shame everyone has to judge old things by modern day standards.. I heard a bit on the radio the other day about how most operas don't have any strong female characters.. well yeah all the famous ones were written in the 1700/1800s. It's an unfair comparison because the cultural attitudes were different.

Even back in ye olden days, groups like the NAACP still found shit like "Song of the South" and "Birth of a nation" incredibly offensive. They even said that Song of the South "...the production helps to perpetuate a dangerously glorified picture of slavery. Making use of the beautiful Uncle Remus folklore, 'Song of the South' unfortunately gives the impression of an idyllic master-slave relationship which is a distortion of the facts."

[Ikrit]

sweet home Alabama is a racist song

and they still play that

[Gibby]

sweet home Alabama is a racist song

and they still play that

And they still sell copies of Roots in stores.

[Kit H. Ruppell]

Actually, looking into it tar baby isn't even racist.

The term apparently came from the stories. I always thought it was a derogatory term for a black person but apparently it's not...

Uhh, you're just pretending not to know this, right? After all, Disney doesn't really have much in the way of original stories.

[Ricky]

Uhh, you're just pretending not to know this, right? After all, Disney doesn't really have much in the way of original stories.

No, I seriously didn't know where the term Tar Baby came from.

I also had no idea who Uncle Remus was until I watched the movie and looked it up a bit.

Does that make me a bad person or something?

[Tybalt Maxwell]

It's a shame everyone has to judge old things by modern day standards.. I heard a bit on the radio the other day about how most operas don't have any strong female characters.. well yeah all the famous ones were written in the 1700/1800s. It's an unfair comparison because the cultural attitudes were different.

Also I find the new Disney animations to be offensive... visually.

Quite a few schools around here ban "Huckleberry finn" for its use of the word "nigger"

I'm sure their next move will be to remove any mention of nazis from the history texts

No, I seriously didn't know where the term Tar Baby came from.

I also had no idea who Uncle Remus was until I watched the movie and looked it up a bit.

Does that make me a bad person or something?

Yes omg what kind of person hasn't looked into the history of a banned 1940/50's disney movie

I mean fuck man

[subversive-imaginati]

There are several reasons it is racist.

1. It follows the trope of the "helpful black man is just there to educate the wonderful white folks and are just so darn happy about being helpful".

2. It portrays racial issues as enjoyable and not a problem.

3. It was part of a society that accepted and considered racism to be acceptable.

That's why it's racist.

[Gucci Mane]

hello white gay man


your scheduled visit to scenic Key West (gulag) is already boarding

pls

step inside


song of the south is boring fuk yall

[Ricky]

There are several reasons it is racist.

Sure, okay. Please enlighten us.

1. It follows the trope of the "helpful black man is just there to educate the wonderful white folks and are just so darn happy about being helpful".

Wait, that's a stereotype?

I thought black people were supposed to sell crack and kill the white folks.

What am I missing, here?

2. It portrays racial issues as enjoyable and not a problem.

How? Where? What?

(can you elaborate please)

3. It was part of a society that accepted and considered racism to be acceptable.

Wait, so you're saying that the fact it was made in a time period where racism was still rampant it should be considered...

Ah fuck, never mind. This is silly.

hello white gay man


your scheduled visit to scenic Key West (gulag) is already boarding

pls

step inside


song of the south is boring fuk yall

Can someone please translate this to White People Speak for me?

[Echo Wolf]

You have no idea how long I have been waiting to post this SNL clip.
*Not exactly sfw

[Ricky]

You have no idea how long I have been waiting to post this SNL clip.
*Not exactly sfw

cute

most of that was in the other video that was posted though

[Echo Wolf]

cute

most of that was in the other video that was posted though

Not to derail but woops, it's been around 6+ months since I watched that NC video and forgot what was in there. My bad.