Well that makes it okay then
Sheesh, Melissa. IMHO, you are the last one who should use words like 'proper context' with posts like this one
. First, use that little context thingie and look at my post again. The context was to dispute the idea that an accurate portrayal of slaves during that time would be to have them all hating and reviling the white man. Heck, many did and they all probably should have, but I'm not sure that was the case. So, put on your context glasses and read again
. Oh, and secondly you might want to pay attention to the part right after what you decided to quote (out of context) where I point out that that didn't make slavery right and that I don't support it
.
The interviews are catalogued in the library of congress, and my understanding is that the interviews don't really support that point of view.
I get your point d-r, and I agree with you. The anecdotal evidence will show that a far greater percentage of slaves were very displeased with being slaves. I suppose my only point (that some apparently missed) was that anything presented only in the extreme is not exactly an accurate depiction. To present all blacks as having a severe hatred for all whites during the time of the Civil War is probably not the best way to portray history, just like Uncle Remus doesnt fairly present the average black slave in that day either (although it probably wouldnt have been that hard to find a grandfatherly slave at the time who was kind to the children of his master, quite a testament to not holding the sins of the father against the son).
I suppose this is slightly OT, but my brother (a Yank) and a few others I have met (including some Rebs) are big into Civil War re-enacting. Folks dont go into that lightly. Most have studied the Civil War period in great detail. It is very interesting some of the things you learn when you get them talking, and let me tell you they like to talk
. It does make you see both sides in some different ways. This may be fodder for the debate board, but while I believe the Union cause was by far the correct one, there may have been some principles the Confederacy upheld that might have been superior.
I hear what you are saying about what is in the archives. However, as you say, you had heard whispers of contrary opinions as well. You know what they say about smoke
..so perhaps there is some truth on both sides. Again, I agree that the vast majority of slaves didnt want to be slaves, who would? One thing that is interesting is that I dont think that that black regiments were that common during the war. Yes, the Union army did try to keep them from fighting during a good part of the war. Im sure many southern blacks were weary of taking up arms for fear the North could lose the war and what the repercussions would be if they fought. However, I think (again, not being a historian I could be wrong) that the majority of slaves that did take up arms were from more northern areas. I have even heard Confederate propaganda that says some southern slaves supported the Confederate cause
, although I dont know how true that is. You would think that if all slaves during the time were so displeased and harbored such hatred they would have jumped at the chance to take up arms. Of course it was a complicated time. I have to say, it is a fascinating piece of our history.
In the end, I believe you are right. The release or non release of this film has very little to do with the politics of slavery or the oppression of blacks during the Civil War period and beyond. Many times we let entertainment be just that, and dont attach more significance. When it comes to anything that even remotely touches on the history of African Americans in this country we are unable to do that, for good reason. After all, in the big scheme of things it wasnt that long ago that people were relegated to the back of the bus. Heck, some of the things I hear today that happen down south make me shudder.
I still think that Song of the South should be released, and when viewed in the proper context can be both appreciated for what it is, and used to teach people about the past. Not all teaching aids have to be an accurate representation, sometimes they can be used to say this is not how it was, and perhaps shows a level of insensitivity as to what actually was happening. I think we are an evolved enough nation to be able to survive the dangers of this film. However, so long as Disney is more concerned with demonstrations, protests, and negative publicity (which is fair for them to do), this movie will likely remain under wraps. Ive never seen the film from start to finish and doubt Id be the first in line to buy it, so it doesnt matter one way or the other to me. However, Splash Mountain is my fave WDW ride, so perhaps I should reconsider
