Walt accused of racism.

[DCWarrior]

Listening to a local "shock jock" radio show and it's their end of the show news.

Well, the last story was about Walt's alleged racist history. In particular, the referenced this book, the "1932 Mickey Mouse Annual" where the N----- word is used several times. Apparently this was a publication only in England, not here because of the controversy, but had Walt's "approval", whatever that means.

Here is a link to some pics of the book,

Has this been discussed here before? Just wondering how this has been received?

I am not passing judgement or condoning it, just wondering peoples thoughts on it. Personally, I think it was from a totally different time than now, and should be looked at that way.

 

[Jeff in BigD]

1 - I can't even read the text from the pages.

2 - A lot of the cartoons from that time period had racial stereotypes.

3 - "Approval" is a pretty loose term.

 

[ennazus]

Personally, I think it was from a totally different time than now,

Ditto

Everything needs to be taken into perspective. When my (then) 4 y.o. son was saying, "eenie, meenie, minie, mo catch a monkey by the toe..." my grandmother said, 'catch a N----- by the toe.' She's not racisist. That's the word she was raised with.

btw I used to say 'catch a tiger by the toe.' funny how things evolve.

 

[Cindy B]

Hmm... that was a very commonplace word... the older generation (ie, some people I know in their 70's still say that word and are used to it being a common word)

Is it still wrong? Possibly. You can also say the potrayal of American Indians in Peter Pan was incorrects.. the crows in Dumbo incorrect...

 

[Robinrs]

Though it may have been "typical" or condoned in some worlds, it was never typical or condoned in my family's life. Funny how something like that can be taken so lightly when it has nothing to do with you.

My father was 13 in 1932, I hate to think that that was the way he had to live with attitudes like that. It may be fact but it's still very upsetting.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Thanks, Robin. You put real perspective on 'accepted' attitudes.


Hugs, friend.

 

[JAP]

Sheesh yes that is racist. That time period in our history was very racist. It is an unfortunate circumstance to our past.

It is indeed a shame that many think using the n___ word is "common" place. I am sorry for you too Robin. {{HUGS}} my friend.

 

[mamajoan]

Hurray Robin! Thanks for putting in print how I feel too!

Does anyone remember the older Warner Brothers Cartoons that were horridly racist? and I mean RACIST... no matter whether it was the 30's, 40's or 50's these cartoons were meant to be negative, steretypical, and in your face racist depictions of Black America. Sometimes I am really glad to see PC cartoons like "The Care Bears" etc. They prove to me that change can be for the better.

 

[10drum]

I suppose it is whatever is politically correct at the time. When I was young we had to say black instead of colored. I made referance to black(instead of Afircan American) around my dd and she thought I said a cuss word.

I suppose I'm a European American. Or of European decent. Oh whatever!

 

[WillyJ]

I suppose what's claimed on that site could be accurate, but personally I'm not going to accept a couple fuzzy photos as proof that Walt Disney was involved in something like that. . anyone could have plagerized the characters, and I've read quite a few biographies about him that were both flattering and unflattering and this is the first I've heard of anything like that. . .

Having said that; while still offensive, I can write the old "Amos and Andy"-type exagerated stereotypes off as ignorant rather then flat out hateful. . .

. . . but using the term "******" whether in the 30's, 60's, or today is and has always has been a hateful, offensive, and inexcusable racial slur. . .