The Future Song of the South
When I was very young, I remember being taken to see several Disney films in the theater. No one had videos back then. Instead, like many kids, we had a few Disney vinyl records to entertain us. Along with Bambi, Robin Hood and other memorable movies, there was a classic movie called Song of the South. Don’t remember it? It’s the one with Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear. You know, there’s that Tar Baby. It was also famous for “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.” Ah, now it’s coming back.
But why is it only coming back now? There’s no forgetting Snow White, Cinderella or all the other Disney movies and songs. Why haven’t they re-released Song of the South in the theater? Why isn’t it on video? Why no Song of South ride? Why no Song of the South 2: Uncle Remus’ Christmas? Well, basically, the movie, by modern standards is considered racially insensative. Disney pretends the movie doesn’t exist.
The movie stars Uncle Remus, a carefree, heavily accented southern black man. He tells old southern black folk tales. The costumes, the accents and the attitudes of the characters weren’t meant to be demeaning, but today they come off that way. It’s all very similar to the way something seems very wrong with Aunt Jamima or the Cream of Wheat man. In 1946, when the movie came out, it was not seen as very offensive. Times changed, of course.
It all makes me wonder which movies will be forgotten tomorrow because of their insensitivity. In Weird Science, the word “fag” is thrown around like it only means “jerk.” In Sixteen Candles, there is the famous Long Duck Dong. In Revenge of Nerds, a girl is raped, likes it and starts dating the rapist. Re-watching these movies causes me to cringe. New movies would never try these antics (which is perhaps why they have moved to gross-out humor).
Will Gangster Rap, 50 Cent or even Lazy Sunday be considered insensitive and erased? Only time will tell.
Growing old is so odd in that nostalgia is selective. Like a time machine, there is an attempt to change the past in order to change the present.
But why is it only coming back now? There’s no forgetting Snow White, Cinderella or all the other Disney movies and songs. Why haven’t they re-released Song of the South in the theater? Why isn’t it on video? Why no Song of South ride? Why no Song of the South 2: Uncle Remus’ Christmas? Well, basically, the movie, by modern standards is considered racially insensative. Disney pretends the movie doesn’t exist.
The movie stars Uncle Remus, a carefree, heavily accented southern black man. He tells old southern black folk tales. The costumes, the accents and the attitudes of the characters weren’t meant to be demeaning, but today they come off that way. It’s all very similar to the way something seems very wrong with Aunt Jamima or the Cream of Wheat man. In 1946, when the movie came out, it was not seen as very offensive. Times changed, of course.
It all makes me wonder which movies will be forgotten tomorrow because of their insensitivity. In Weird Science, the word “fag” is thrown around like it only means “jerk.” In Sixteen Candles, there is the famous Long Duck Dong. In Revenge of Nerds, a girl is raped, likes it and starts dating the rapist. Re-watching these movies causes me to cringe. New movies would never try these antics (which is perhaps why they have moved to gross-out humor).
Will Gangster Rap, 50 Cent or even Lazy Sunday be considered insensitive and erased? Only time will tell.
Growing old is so odd in that nostalgia is selective. Like a time machine, there is an attempt to change the past in order to change the present.
posted by American Dilettante at
5:02 PM
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