Why is Disney's "Song of the South" movie considered racist ?

Question

I understand that this movie is an American classic, and for certain reasons it's unavailable for purchase in the U.S.
Why?
Was there ever an edited, or more PC version available for viewing?

I have never seen the movie, but it's featured song "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Daa" is a classic Disney song, and I understand that the movie was also graced with several Academy Awards, so how come it's shelved for poor taste ?

kokopelli - it's out-of-print, unless you know otherwise please post a link, but spare us from a cheap bootleg version for sale somewhere.

I

Answer 1

It's not racist.
People think it is, even when then haven't even seen it.

It's only "deemed" as racist by certain viewers becuase they see the movie as an inaccurate portrayal of a southern plantation in those times.

It showed the blacks as jolly and happy, which wasn't quite true back then.

Also, it's the other way around.
Brer Fox makes a "Tar Baby" to catch Brer Rabbit.
Brer Rabbit thinks it's a real animal and when the tar baby doesn't respond to Brer Rabbit's "how do you do?", he punches the tar baby and gets stuck.
Brer Fox then thinks of ways to Brer Rabbit, but Brer Rabbit tricks Brer Fox to throw him in the Briar Patch (This is the story for Disneyland's Splash Mountain) and Brer Rabbit turns out to be safe because he was "born and bred in the briar patch"



It's so sad, really because it's a great movie that just sits in the Disney Vault. I mean look at Gone With The Wind, and that is even shown on television.

Answer 2

I don't think it's "racist" in the proper term of the word. Yes, it is a rude and inaccurate portrayal of blacks. It uses black stereotypes etc... part of it is it was 1946- that type of stereotype was common. Since it wasn't done to be mean spirited or hateful, I wouldn't say racist more than it is very very racially insensitive. You cant' deny that's how things were portrayed in the 40s. We can't whitewash the past.

Answer 3

I don't think it has ever been released on DVD or video. I saw it in a theater when I was a kid (around 1969/1970?). I didn't think much of it at the time, although I understand now what the controversy is all about.

Answer 4

Have you seen the Robert Smigel bit making fun of that? It is horrible but good. The one where those kids get locked in the Disney Vault.

Answer 5

You have been brainwashed by mindless narrow-minded prejudicial wimps. 'Song of the South' IS readily available on DVD in the original, uncut, 1946 version. Your question is moot.

Zip-a dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay,
My, oh my, what a wonderful day...

People who are offended by this move are idiots trying to prove they are something they are not. There is nothing "racist" about it.

You can get it here:
http://www.onlyclassicmovies.com/OnlyClassicFavoritesSongofthesouth.html

Answer 6

I didn't see anything in that movie that makes fun of black people. It's set in plantation-era times, so people get all bent out of shape because the main black character talks like a plantation slave (Massah instead of Master) and the "character" Brair Rabbit makes a "tar baby" to trick the fox into not eating him, or something like that... But it is not racist.

Answer 7

I loved that movie growing up. For some reason, black people find it offensive. I thought Uncle Remus was the kindest most wonderful man in the world. He endeared me to black people.

Answer 8

im white and even I find it funny how only all the white ppl comments say its not racist, well yes lol its racist as hell

Answer 9

I don't think it was edited i think it's just offensive because it talks about secession and puts down african americans in a negative image.

Answer 10

I don't know the song, but I'm thinking from the title, that it has something to do with whites and the rebel flag and being against blacks, but I don't know. Many southern whites are prejudice, but not all of us