Just watched "Song of the South"......

[DizBelle]

first, let me say that I totally agree that I am not objective because I live with the ramifications.

I am a civil rights baby. did I experience joy throughout my life? most definitely, does that negate having German sheppards sicced on me for absolutely NO reason but the fact that I'm black? NO.

The problem that many blacks find and the problems Jews like my neighbor finds when people make casual references to Hilter is that
1) Rarely do you find the same or equal number of stories extolling the virtues of these groups.
2) Every time people so casually take a horrific time in our history and waters it down, it opens up that our children feel like this is some how ok.

like I said because I am African american I totally admit to being ridiculously and probably over sensitive to this issue but sorry my experience joy during the segregated south does not mean I want to have a musical made about the brutual lynchings that occured during the same period.

Like I said, when I see a musical about the "happy" times the concentration camp victims had in bergen belsin then I may feel more objective toward song of the south.

Just giving you a reason why what you feel is political correctiveness maybe so much more to a large segment of the poplation. Where you see a friendly story, we see the total disregard for the atrocities we had to suffer. We will never find it musical worthy.

But this movie doesn't set anything atrocious to music. If it showed a man hanging from a tree while other slaves danced and sung around about it in a joyful way, I would think there is something very wrong about that.

What is set to music in THIS movie is stories a gentle old man tells a young boy that might help him in dealing with some situations in his life.

It just really sounds like you think anything (written, movies, etc) about anything that took place during the time period should be burned. Should we really forget about this part of our history? Or are we only permitted to remember the atrocities?

This movie in no way disregards the bad things about slavery or the post-slavery era. It doesn't try to imply that there were no bad things. It just takes 90 minutes of time to focus on something good.

Why does the depiction of something nice have to mean a disregard for the bad things that happened during the same time period?

I think that people make this movie into something it isn't or was never intended to be.

The bad things don't negate the good. Likewise, the good things don't negate the bad.

 

[pat fan]

Additionally, few "slaves" would choose Atlanta as their destination to run away from their "owner".

Actually, I took it that he was going to Atlanta to get/talk to the dad, not run away.

 

[metalis4ever]

"Song of The South" is one of my favorite movies of all time, having said that I feel as though it should stay unreleased. The non-offensive parts of that movie are prominently used in Splash Mountain and as a fan of this movie it is enough for me.

For those who really want to own it or watch it there are very easy ways to get a copy of it, you just have to know where to look online

 

[wdwgirl03]

I really would like to see this movie. The past couple years we've seen someone selling (probably illegal ) copies at the State Fair.

 

[happygirl]

"Song of The South" is one of my favorite movies of all time, having said that I feel as though it should stay unreleased. The non-offensive parts of that movie are prominently used in Splash Mountain and as a fan of this movie it is enough for me.

For those who really want to own it or watch it there are very easy ways to get a copy of it, you just have to know where to look online

DO you wanna share where you can get copies at ?

 

[Carl]

I think it's an excellent business decision. I'm sick of movies, gwtw included that portray the "happy darkie slave lovin their white master". As a decendant of those "happy slaves" its an insult to the perserverance of my people and the hell we went through.

Now since disney has been trying to expand their market and grab a bit of the 7 billion dollars that African americans like me spend on vacations, why would they risk it.

and I assure PC or not if they released it I would be the first trying to get it banned. It's offensive. Knowing that this happened doesn't make it less offensive.

I wonder how a holocaust movie showing a victim modeling his prison stripes made into a musical would go over.


Just because it has great animation or was made during a certain era does not make it any less offensive. I hope they burn the thing.

And there you have, explained very well, why Disney will NEVER release it again. At the present time Disney is making every effort to bring in African Americans to the Disney parks and especially into Disney Vacation Club. Almost all their commercials feature African Americans. So the above poster has shown you why Disney made the decision they did. Now, I don't agree with her about the offensiveness of the film, but the fact she and others feel that way is why Disney made their decision.

 

[Sorsha]

DO you wanna share where you can get copies at ?

Nevermind

 

[HamTown]

.

 

[superme80]

I was looking at some pics of the movie the other day and realized tying up the Rabbbit did look a bit like lynching. I know it is not, but it does give that apperance. I thought that might have something to do with the banning as well. I wish it would be released, but I know it won't be.

 

[Micca]

Can't say whether it's right for others, but I found it enjoyable and very much in the style of classic Disney movies. The music is really good, and FWIW Uncle Remus is one of the coolest protagonists in a Disney movie ever.

 

[bumbershoot]

2) Every time people so casually take a horrific time in our history and waters it down, it opens up that our children feel like this is some how ok.

.....Where you see a friendly story, we see the total disregard for the atrocities we had to suffer. We will never find it musical worthy.

Mel Brooks' The Producers. Never once made me think "oh I think I'll sympathize with the guy who wrote the play inside the movie/play".

Different people feel different ways...different people cope in different ways. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who would like to see stories about the happy stuff.

 

[PeterPan09]

the thing that keeps running through my head about this discussion is the other films that are out there that are offensive to other segments of the population-yet those are allowed to be out there.

I do as much research as possible before I go to a movie, and if I think it's going to be offensive, I don't go. I'm offended by jokes/stereotypes about gay people, so I stay away from the Hangover type films where that kind of thing goes on. Other people LOVED those movies. Who am I to say that nobody can see them because they offend me?

I can understand why people would view this film as offensive, but I don't think that is a reason that nobody should ever be allowed to see it ever. I can see why people would find Gone with the Wind offensive for similar reasons, but I don't see that as a reason to ban it either.

This is a business decision by Disney because they are looking for inroads into a specific market. There's nothing noble about it. Should a time come when they think they can get away with releasing it without losing a significant share of that market, it's coming out-because they will make money from the people who have clamored for it for years.

 

[metalis4ever]

DO you wanna share where you can get copies at ?

You can buy the VHS on Amazon, otherwise eBay is your friend

One of my friends has the Laserdisc release of this movie, but those are rather expensive so your best bet is VHS.

Upon further reflection, I think Disney should release "Song of The South", maybe they could resurrect the Disney Treasures series and release it as part of that so Disney could expound upon the context of the time period.

 

[vettegirl]

I watched the entire movie on youtube, it's broken in to several parts but was worth it to watch it. I loved it and Uncle Remus!!

 

[eliza61]

Mel Brooks' The Producers. Never once made me think "oh I think I'll sympathize with the guy who wrote the play inside the movie/play".

Different people feel different ways...different people cope in different ways. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who would like to see stories about the happy stuff.

Sure but your looking at it from a "viewers" position. You have to look at it from a business position. You say you'd like to see the happy stuff, I've just said I really dislike when they do this, so let me ask you are you going to risk alienating billions of dollars in revenue?

Bad press, boycotts all work. You may not agree with the protestors on wall street, but agree or not, they've been in the news lately.

Now if I'm a disney exec, am I going to risk pissing off an entire group of african americans with vacation dollars to burn?

Look how quick they got rid of hank williams after his stupid remarks. Whether he was misquoted or not is moot. companies don't want bad PR and there are a ton of Blacks myself included who would raise cain.

Once again, I realize that I'm probably more sensitive to this movie and I wish I wasn't but I loathe, hate and despise Gone with the wind, song of the south and all those other movies that show us as the Happy darkies, shuffling and dancing a merry jig. I write TBS and AMC every time they show them.


I remember the uproar when the Native Americans wanted the cleveland Indians to get rid of the mascot Chief Wahoo and some one asked Carl Ripken Jr about whether or not he found it offensive and he said, "it doesn't matter whether or not I find it offensive, Native Americans do and they should have the right to protest any portrayal that degrades them".

 

[goofyernmost]

I think that the part that is missed in this argument is that it is assumed that the black characters in this movie are depicted as suppressed groups of "inferior" folk and that the white characters are perfect and wonderful people.

The truth is that the exact opposite is what is shown. The white folk are shown as self involved, inflexible bigots and the blacks as calm, wise and loving people. They care for others, try to guide them when the white parents are unable to get far enough beyond themselves to be there for their child.

So, the statement I am making is that this movie is banned, not because it shows black folks in a bad, subservient light (which it doesn't), but instead because it offends white folks to be depicted as closed minded, not terribly intelligent people (which it does).

There I've said it and I'm glad!

 

[DizBelle]

Sure but your looking at it from a "viewers" position. You have to look at it from a business position. You say you'd like to see the happy stuff, I've just said I really dislike when they do this, so let me ask you are you going to risk alienating billions of dollars in revenue?

Bad press, boycotts all work. You may not agree with the protestors on wall street, but agree or not, they've been in the news lately.

Now if I'm a disney exec, am I going to risk pissing off an entire group of african americans with vacation dollars to burn?

Look how quick they got rid of hank williams after his stupid remarks. Whether he was misquoted or not is moot. companies don't want bad PR and there are a ton of Blacks myself included who would raise cain.

Once again, I realize that I'm probably more sensitive to this movie and I wish I wasn't but I loathe, hate and despise Gone with the wind, song of the south and all those other movies that show us as the Happy darkies, shuffling and dancing a merry jig. I write TBS and AMC every time they show them.


I remember the uproar when the Native Americans wanted the cleveland Indians to get rid of the mascot Chief Wahoo and some one asked Carl Ripken Jr about whether or not he found it offensive and he said, "it doesn't matter whether or not I find it offensive, Native Americans do and they should have the right to protest any portrayal that degrades them".

By this same logic, someone who happens to have their birthday on September 11 can never celebrate the joy of their birthday because something tragic happened on that same day.

Just because someone celebrates their birthday on Sept 11 does not mean that the tragic events are any less significant.

 

[lizabu]

When I read eliza61's opinions on this movie I can see why Disney will not be releasing this movie anytime in the near future. There might be some good parts of this movie but if it can hurt someone why release it? I saw it as a child and I had very innocent eyes then and didn't see anything racial back then. I watched it as an adult and it's a cute movie but honestly my kids were bored through the non animated parts and for some reason the word "tar baby" bothered me. I know it means a sticky trap but I'm sure I've heard that phrase used as a racially derogatory term at some point. Maybe one day the cartoons will be compiled on a disc and any possibly objectional parts will be removed or edited out but I wonder if that's done how much of the film will be left. 30 or 45 minutes at most? Maybe thats why Disney has just left it in the vault.

 

[DizBelle]

When I read eliza61's opinions on this movie I can see why Disney will not be releasing this movie anytime in the near future. There might be some good parts of this movie but if it can hurt someone why release it? I saw it as a child and I had very innocent eyes then and didn't see anything racial back then. I watched it as an adult and it's a cute movie but honestly my kids were bored through the non animated parts and for some reason the word "tar baby" bothered me. I know it means a sticky trap but I'm sure I've heard that phrase used as a racially derogatory term at some point. Maybe one day the cartoons will be compiled on a disc and any possibly objectional parts will be removed or edited out but I wonder if that's done how much of the film will be left. 30 or 45 minutes at most? Maybe thats why Disney has just left it in the vault.

If Disney didn't release things that somebody somewhere might find offensive, they wouldn't release anything.

 

[disneymom2evie]

By this same logic, someone who happens to have their birthday on September 11 can never celebrate the joy of their birthday because something tragic happened on that same day.

Just because someone celebrates their birthday on Sept 11 does not mean that the tragic events are any less significant.

My birthday is Sept. 11. I have to agree that just because I celebrate my birthday every year, it doesn't make what happened less tragic.

Now, I'll sit back and wait for this thread to get closed. I read *GASP* a cuss word!!!!!!!!!! My eyes, my eyes....