Well, of course UR wasn't meant to be a negative stereotype. Doesn't change the fact, though, that he is.

It;s an opinion and not a fact.

It's no different to me than seeing the character of Uncle Tom as one who tried to do the right thing instead of as the "sellout" that he was labeled as. I am sure all those people who call people "Uncle Tom" and "sellout" believe that to be a fact as well.

I know a 94 year old man who tells stories pretty much like I imagine this Uncle Remus character does. He lived through those times and more and he's nearly always happy. In fact he's much happier than any of us who didn't live through or experience things close to what he has and Iin all the years I've known him and I have never heard him complain about what a hard life he has. And he's not anyone's stereotype in my opinion but I imagine that everyone who has something against Uncle Remus might also have something against him.

No one above the age of, say, 12 should watch GWTW (even if it isn't for the first time) if they care at all about race relations. As soon as you're in high school, or whenever you take your first class in U.S. History, it's basically all over. Trust me.

The book is even worse! (And I say this as one who loves it!) It wouldn't stand a chance of getting published today the way it's written. At least not by any respectable publishing firm.

Well, of course UR wasn't meant to be a negative stereotype. Doesn't change the fact, though, that he is.

Could you tell me, then... what is the difference between a person or character that is a "negative" stereotype, and someone who simply refuses to conform to the white ideal.

Could you tell me, then... what is the difference between a person or character that is a "negative" stereotype, and someone who simply refuses to conform to the white ideal.

I was giving this some thought because I suppose people could have a one, the other or both approach to what specifically constituted the stereotype: being happy when he should be miserable due to his circumstances, his grammar/vocabulary or both his happiness and his grammar/vocabulary. The only thing about grammar/vocabulary is that some people see that as an example of not conforming because to them it's some special language (which those Oakland teachers labeled as "Ebonics").

I am not sure what you're referring to when you say white ideal but take an athlete like LeBron James. His goal is to become a billionaire. He probably conforms in all the materialistic ways that count (fashion, chef to the stars, house, etc.) except when it comes to grammar/vocabulary as does some of his fellow basketball players. ESPN, NBA TV and The NFL Network is littered with former players who conform in the same way as well some I'm not sure why people proclaim speaking properly as "acting white" but don't think the acquisition of all those material things, dressing in Italian suits, and wearing thick framed glasses is "keeping it real."

http://deadline.com/2017/08/gone-with-the-wind-racism-memphis-tennessee-orpheum-theatre-hattie-mcdaniel-vivien-leigh-charlottesville-1202156922/

 

Is this the right way to go?

I can sort of understand the reasoning right now with everything that's happened recently, but at the same time I feel that this is the first step down a very dangerous path. Most movies, tv and literature from the past contain ideas, values and images that go against what we believe now, but we can't pretend that they don't exist.

For the record, Song of the South featured future All My Children star Ruth Warrick.

 

How about a manufacture-on-demand DVD release for Song of the South?  I certainly wouldn't market the movie to children.

2 hours ago, GSGfan2017 said:

How about a manufacture-on-demand DVD release for Song of the South?  I certainly wouldn't market the movie to children.

 

Who would you market it to then?

1 hour ago, I Am A Swede said:

 

Who would you market it to then?

I Am A Swede, do you know about the Warner Archive Collection?  It seems to me that movies that are considered part of the Warner Archive Collection aren't usually sold in brick-and-mortar retail stores.

20 hours ago, GSGfan2017 said:

I Am A Swede, do you know about the Warner Archive Collection?  It seems to me that movies that are considered part of the Warner Archive Collection aren't usually sold in brick-and-mortar retail stores.

 

That's not really an answer though. Who would you market a movie like "Song of the South" to if not to children?

Movie historian Stuart Galbraith IV has said the following about Song of the South:

 

"‪From a historical and artistic perspective, it absolutely should be released. Besides, my argument with regards to that film is that Uncle Remus is smarter and wiser than all the white people in that movie. It’s no better or worse than a hundred other Hollywood movies from the 1940s, and certainly the racial stereotypes are far more offensive in Gone with the Wind."

 

Edited October 2, 20178 yr by GSGfan2017
Wanted to make quote visible without action required

On Thursday, September 06, 2012 at 4:39 AM, Wales2004 said:

A relative told me years ago about "Baa Baa Black Sheep" being banned from public schools in England since :black sheep" was deemed to be a racially offensive term. 

 

WHAT??? 😨😨😨😨😨

Edited October 28, 20178 yr by amybrickwallace