Disney Reconsiders Releasing "Song of the South" on DVDby Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger 06 Apr 2007 08:14 AM Have you ever seen Disney's "Song of the South"? I haven't and unless you're a lot older than I am you likely haven't either. However, you've probably heard of tales of Br'er Rabbit and gang, as well as heard the famous song "Zip a Dee Doo Dah". If you've been to the Magic Kingdom theme park, the ride Splash Mountain is based on these stories. Disney had chosen not to release the movie because of its portrayal of southern black plantation workers. To offer a brief synopsis (gleaned from my own readings of Uncle Remus' tales and other online summaries as I've never actually seen the film) Johnny goes to live with his grandparents in the deep south on their plantation. The white family lives in a large mansion while the blacks who work on the plantation live down the road in wooden shacks. Some objections arise over the fact that Remus is portrayed as a happy-as-can-be jolly old story teller. I do hope that Disney does release the movie and we will likely buy it and show it to our kids. Does it promote negative stereotypes? I'm not sure that it promotes them. . .but the stereotypes are certainly in there. If you'll allow me to digress for just a minute however, I want my kids to see the film and in fact, I've read the complete tales of Uncle Remus to them already. A Piece of History This film is historic in and of itself but it also represents an important piece of American culture and history. It was Disney's first live action film that combined real actors and animation. So in the world of cinematography. . .it is a landmark. However, even more than that, it represents a period in our history as Americans. It represents certain stereotypes that were commonly held. Like all things that project a negative stereotype we always have the choice to accept it at face value or further investigate. Learn more about Valorie Delp  Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line. Relevantdisney tags User Comments  babydawn (7008) 06 Apr 2007 11:27 AMCorrect me if I am wrong, but I also think that it shows people that they can choose to have a positive attitude regardless of circumstances.... could be wrong, I haven't seen the movie since I was a kid, and all I remember of it is an old black man singing with a huge smile on his face.... I think they should release it. I remember really enjoying it.  Valorie Delp (49340) 06 Apr 2007 11:49 AMYeah. . .I agree babydawn. That's actually one of hte "controversies". I guess people feel like black plantation workers were not happy and shouldn't be portrayed as such lest it be used to justify slavery. (See they weren't so bad off. . .clothes, food, and work. . .and look how happy he is.) But I feel like with most movies that may have 'controversial' issues. . .you just talk about it. I don't know anyone (of course I don't live in the south) who would say slavery was justified and slaves lives were rosie. Also if you read African American lit and folk tales there is a lot about overcoming obstacles, and people doing remarkable things in unimaginable circumstances. Dinosmile (16) 06 Apr 2007 05:44 PMI am biracial with African American ancestry and have very mixed feelings about the film. I think some of the controversy comes from the old "black face" routines where blacks were considered happy-go-lucky entertainers, but with no other redeeming qualities. It has also been quite some time since I saw the movie, so I can't remember the details. That said, Disney has a slew of racially inappropriate movies that are still in release such as Peter Pen ("What Makes the Red Man Red?") and the Aristocats. Anyway, I'm not standing with any conviction on either side of the fence since I just can't remember enough to have a real opinion. My interpretations of things as a child were different anyway, so I may find it much more offensive as an adult. I guess time will tell!  Andrea Hermitt |
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