WDW and DL Pirates to change Redhead scene

[Jaybrad]

I honestly don't care if anyone is offended by the redhead scene or the well dunking scene or the rum-soaked pirate scene. If they're that fragile that they're offended by a theme park ride, this is the least of their concerns.

This ride has been around for over 50 years in it's current version. Nothing, I repeat, Nothing has happened in the last 50 years that made slavery, human trafficking or other pirate offenses suddenly more morally reprehensible in 2017 than it was 50 years ago. But this ride was never meant to be a moral code instruction manual or a statement on human rights. It is simply a harmless, fun theme park ride designed by none other than Walt Disney himself and it did not need to be softened or sanitized in any way. If anyone is offended, then they just shouldn't ride. It is a shame that it has come to this.

Best post on the thread!!!

 

[Buckeye218]

That is where I disagree.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/201...S-rose-357-percent-in-one-year/5571486328579/

You'll notice California was #1 and Florida was #3 on the list.

It is close to home for a lot of people.

Again, I (nor anyone I'm aware of) didn't call for the removal. It was something Disney decided to do, and I think it was a good choice.

Just because there's a report of increased human trafficking doesn't mean it's now more morally reprehensible than it was 50 years ago. That is a non sequitur. Human trafficking is just as wrong today as it was 50 years ago. And there is no reason to change the Pirates attraction now as a result.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't think anyone was 'offended' by the scene,

Honestly though with the comments on this thread and other threads some people really were offended by it or at least it came off that way.

 

[Disneylover99]

As a redhead, I'm going to miss the redhead scene. It's nice to feel wanted.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Human trafficking is just as wrong today as it was 50 years ago. And there is no reason to change the Pirates attraction now as a result.

It has always been wrong, even 300 years ago (and milennia more) by today's standards.

The morals regarding women 50 years ago were vastly different than today. For example:

"5. Refuse to have sex with her husband.

The mid 70s saw most states recognize marital rape and in 1993 it became criminalized in all 50 states. Nevertheless, marital rape is still often treated differently to other forms of rape in some states even today."

So, to auction of bridal sex slaves pre 1970 had different connotations then than it does now.

The world has changed in the last 50 years, Disney has recognized that and is adapting, as it was always meant to.

I just rode the WDW version in February. I didn't get off the ride shaking my head and cursing Disney's sexist depiction of depraved men buying women. But it is sexist. It does make light of human trafficking, which, as TheMaxRebo pointed out, probably would've never made the cut if it depicted people of color being auctioned off.

Yes, I understand Walt contributed to this, I get that. And it is art. But the time has come for change, and I support that.

 

[12jdc]

Really good discussion here and I apologize for going slightly OT but I was just wondering does anyone else think the red head is not up for sale but she is actually participating in the auctioning off of the women in chains because she doesn't look anything like them. They look sad, ragged, and chained. Her appearance looks to me as if she has been profiting off these types of sales. Have I been missing something on the ride that signals she is being sold off into marriage as well?

Oh and one more thing does she creep anyone else out? She looks diabolical to me too

 

[bladiator]

The auction scene is that kind of sexism.. a subtle nod to putting women in the position of being thought of as sexual objects.

The kind of sexism that pirates would engage in.

 

[bladiator]

they better not change the pigs! Got a POTC pig tsum tsum on my nightstand love the pigs. (and in general, as you can probably tell from my username).

Kind of a bummer that this scene has to go away. Oh well.

So I gotta know ... are you a fan of Waddles? He's my favorite Disney pig

 

[Clare Voince]

Honestly though with the comments on this thread and other threads some people really were offended by it or at least it came off that way.

It's not black and white. I can think something is sexist without getting all worked up about it. I meant that I don't think people were clamoring for it to be changed, but we can still appreciate Disney being thoughtful about such issues.

 

[Clare Voince]

The kind of sexism that pirates would engage in.

Pirates would also rape women, do you think that Disney should include a scene depicting a rape? Should there be a gory murder scene with blood spurting out onto the boats? If accuracy is so important to you..

 

[Clare Voince]

Really good discussion here and I apologize for going slightly OT but I was just wondering does anyone else think the red head is not up for sale but she is actually participating in the auctioning off of the women in chains because she doesn't look anything like them. They look sad, ragged, and chained. Her appearance looks to me as if she has been profiting off these types of sales. Have I been missing something on the ride that signals she is being sold off into marriage as well?

Oh and one more thing does she creep anyone else out? She looks diabolical to me too

The reason the pirates are chanting "We want the redhead" is because he auctioneer is trying to sell the heavyset woman, and no one wants her.. they want him to move on to selling the redhead.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It's not black and white. I can think something is sexist without getting all worked up about it. I meant that I don't think people were clamoring for it to be changed, but we can still appreciate Disney being thoughtful about such issues.

You presented it in a black and white way so to speak way as I was responding to your comment about "I don't think anyone was 'offended' by the scene" because it's evident that some people were or at least some presented their thoughts in a way where it def seemed as though they were.

 

[bladiator]

Pirates would also rape women, do you think that Disney should include a scene depicting a rape? Should there be a gory murder scene with blood spurting out onto the boats? If accuracy is so important to you..

I'm just saying that I don't know why we're trying to give pirates such a squeaky clean reputation in the POTC.

Hey, in real life, what do you think would be happening to the women that are being sold to the pirates? But are they depicting anything? They're not showing anything. And don't you think that if you're going to pillage and loot a fortress that you probably just murdered most of the citizens? But they don't show that either. There are lots of things that are implied that are not being depicted. That's why I have no problem with this scene. Because it's only the thoughts of some of the riders that get carried away with where this scene leads in the next 6 months after the fictional scene is over.

 

[12jdc]

The reason the pirates are chanting "We want the redhead" is because he auctioneer is trying to sell the heavyset woman, and no one wants her.. they want him to move on to selling the redhead.
Thanks for the response, I guess I thought it was part of their drunken banter because they didn't want the selection offered but someone like her. She just reminded me of a madam.

 

[12jdc]

Thanks for the response, I guess I thought it was part of their drunken banter because they didn't want the selection offered but someone like her. She just reminded me of a madam

 

[smitty0705]

I get it. Personally I think the scene goes over most people's heads.

My 7 and 5 year olds definitely questioned it and wanted to know more, so if it goes over people's heads, I fear they're not paying attention!

 

[Clare Voince]

I'm just saying that I don't know why we're trying to give pirates such a squeaky clean reputation in the POTC.

Hey, in real life, what do you think would be happening to the women that are being sold to the pirates? But are they depicting anything? They're not showing anything. And don't you think that if you're going to pillage and loot a fortress that you probably just murdered most of the citizens? But they don't show that either. There are lots of things that are implied that are not being depicted. That's why I have no problem with this scene. Because it's only the thoughts of some of the riders that get carried away with where this scene leads in the next 6 months after the fictional scene is over.

I didn't have a 'problem' with the scene either. Pirates is one of my favorite rides. But everything can be improved. Removing something that is sexist, even if it isn't a 'problem' is an improvement. Change is a good thing.

 

[Buckeye218]

I didn't have a 'problem' with the scene either. Pirates is one of my favorite rides. But everything can be improved. Removing something that is sexist, even if it isn't a 'problem' is an improvement. Change is a good thing.

Gonna have to disagree here. Removing this scene does does nothing for the ride. Doesn't change history and doesn't improve the experience. This is not an improvement.

Again, this ride is not intended to be a contemporary statement on sexism. It it a realistic example of what happened in that period of history. It is portrayed in a humorous, innocent fashion. Anyone offended by this is looking to make a political statement where none was originally intended. If this scene offends someone, they should skip the ride.

 

[amberpi]

Gonna have to disagree here. Removing this scene does does nothing for the ride. Doesn't change history and doesn't improve the experience. This is not an improvement.

Again, this ride is not intended to be a contemporary statement on sexism. It it a realistic example of what happened in that period of history. It is portrayed in a humorous, innocent fashion. Anyone offended by this is looking to make a political statement where none was originally intended. If this scene offends someone, they should skip the ride.

I think adding an awesome female pirate does add to the ride. I love this scene, I love pirates...but I had questions with it as a child, and that was long ago, and I think it needs replacing. Its not a political statement, its just keeping up with the times.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Again, this ride is not intended to be a contemporary statement on sexism. It it a realistic example of what happened in that period of history. It is portrayed in a humorous, innocent fashion. Anyone offended by this is looking to make a political statement where none was originally intended. If this scene offends someone, they should skip the ride.

What if, instead of women, it was a group of black people? What if instead of shouting, "We want the redhead!" they shouted, "We want the young'un!"?

ETA: I'm not trying to single you out or anything. I just think we can all agree that that depiction, regardless of how historically accurate, would be, at best, tasteless. I don't understand how it is any different.