It's more than just the song, which I don't believe was meant to be a bit racist, it's some of the characters as well. Again, I think it was more of people looking for racism simply because they see racism in everything.

Or maybe this whole thread is about stretching an argument to try and make a point ...

Not sure if this is entirely relevant, but here goes.

 

Several years ago I was on a local elementary school site-based council, or whatever they're called these days. An issue that came up was whether the book "Sounder" was appropriate, because a very derogatory term was used in it. The minority representative on said council - a pretty good friend to this day - had objections. My contention was that including the book in the curriculum presented a significant teachable moment. The vote was to include the book.

 

That all being said, I'm 55 years old and have never seen "Song of the South".

Not sure if this is entirely relevant, but here goes.

 

Several years ago I was on a local elementary school site-based council, or whatever they're called these days. An issue that came up was whether the book "Sounder" was appropriate, because a very derogatory term was used in it. The minority representative on said council - a pretty good friend to this day - had objections. My contention was that including the book in the curriculum presented a significant teachable moment. The vote was to include the book.

 

That all being said, I'm 55 years old and have never seen "Song of the South".

 

 

LOVE Sounder! What a great book!

I've seen the movie and never thought of it as being racist until I saw this thread.

Or maybe this whole thread is about stretching an argument to try and make a point ...

Or maybe you have no point.... again.

Not sure if this is entirely relevant, but here goes.

 

Several years ago I was on a local elementary school site-based council, or whatever they're called these days. An issue that came up was whether the book "Sounder" was appropriate, because a very derogatory term was used in it. The minority representative on said council - a pretty good friend to this day - had objections. My contention was that including the book in the curriculum presented a significant teachable moment. The vote was to include the book.

 

That all being said, I'm 55 years old and have never seen "Song of the South" .

Really? I'm six years younger than you and I've seen it at least twice. I'm shocked when I hear those older than me haven't seen it. It's a Disney classic.

 

So, you think it would be a teachable moment to release the movie in it's entirety?

I've seen the movie and never thought of it as being racist until I saw this thread.

It's been an ongoing argument for decades. That's why you can't buy the movie on DVD or in it's entirety. I'm with you, though, I've never thought of it as being racist. I always just thought of it as a great Disney movie.

I've never heard of it, so I can't comment. How does it compare to "Gone with the Wind?"

I've never heard of it, so I can't comment. How does it compare to "Gone with the Wind?"

Good question and I can understand why you haven't seen it given your age. Are you making reference to the way blacks were portrayed in "Gone With The Wind" or the use of a derogatory word in the movie or both?

It's been an ongoing argument for decades. That's why you can't buy the movie on DVD or in it's entirety. I'm with you, though, I've never thought of it as being racist. I always just thought of it as a great Disney movie.

To me, this is outrageous. A movie is a form of artistic expression. Artistic expression should never be censored. Now before everyone goes all Maplethorpe on me: I don't think art that that might reasonably be seen as confrontational, or offensive should be shoved into our faces and public spaces. But it should be allowed to exist, and be accessible to anyone who chooses to be exposed to it. This movie should never have been chopped up or (even worse) buried under six feet of fear, misunderstanding, and political correctness gone mad.

I've never heard of it, so I can't comment. How does it compare to "Gone with the Wind?"

Richmond fairs a lot better in this one.

Good question and I can understand why you haven't seen it given your age. Are you making reference to the way blacks were portrayed in "Gone With The Wind" or the use of a derogatory word in the movie or both?

 

I haven't seen it in a very long time so I don't remember the word (though I have a guess), but I was thinking of the portrayal of blacks and slavery.

To me, this is outrageous. A movie is a form of artistic expression. Artistic expression should never be censored. Now before everyone goes all Maplethorpe on me: I don't think art that that might reasonably be seen as confrontational, or offensive should be shoved into our faces and public spaces. But it should be allowed to exist, and be accessible to anyone who chooses to be exposed to it. This movie should never have been chopped up or (even worse) buried under six feet of fear, misunderstanding, and political correctness gone mad.

:thumb: I totally agree.

I haven't seen it in a very long time so I don't remember the word (though I have a guess), but I was thinking of the portrayal of blacks and slavery.

Again, a very fair question. I can only show you a few clips and let you decide for yourself. To be fair, though, these clips are much like taking a politicians comments out of context in a sense. Without seeing everything together and, as you'll see in two of the clips, the guy that posted them has long had his mind made up.

 

 

 

Again, a very fair question. I can only show you a few clips and let you decide for yourself. To be fair, though, these clips are much like taking a politicians comments out of context in a sense. Without seeing everything together and, as you'll see in two of the clips, the guy that posted them has long had his mind made up.

 

I'd really have to see the whole thing, I guess. At any rate, I'm with Birdsfan on censorship, though this is the self-imposed, voluntary variety. In other words, I would have no qualms if Disney released the movie in its entirety and am somewhat surprised it's bottled up like it is.