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robingoodfellow · M
bijouxbroussard · F
[quote] in an effort neither to offend audiences in the North or South, the production helps to perpetuate a dangerously glorified picture of slavery … [the film] unfortunately gives the impression of an idyllic master-slave relationship, which is a distortion of the facts."
Although the word "slavery" is never mentioned, it's reasonable to believe Uncle Remus (James Baskett), the affable black man at the center of the narrative, was once an enslaved person on the plantation where he lives. Uncle Remus, the creator of the Br'er Rabbit stories, becomes a father figure and friend to seven-year-old Johnny (Bobby Driscoll), a white boy visiting his grandmother's plantation as his parents struggle with an untold marital problem. Although Remus's sensitivity to Johnny surpasses his parents' indifference and neglect, this compassion implies that men like Remus and the housekeeper Aunt Tempy, played by Hattie McDaniel, are human only to the extent that they serve white characters' wants and desires. It's a notion still prevalent in contemporary films. Song of the South contains other examples of racism readily evident: minstrelsy by the animated characters, especially Br'er Fox, slang in the dialogue, a wandering chorus singing traditional black songs, and Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear ensnaring Br'er Rabbit with a tar baby. The film's most notable blemish is Remus's narration just before "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah," in which he muses about how things were "a long time ago" when "every day was mighty satisfactual. "If you'll excuse me for saying so," he adds, "'twas better all around."
[/quote]
On the other hand, some black people and media were grateful for any representation that wasn’t overtly negative, especially back then. The movie aired in 1948, after all, during Jim Crow, so based on those sensibilities, a lot of people didn’t see anything stereotypical about it.
Although the word "slavery" is never mentioned, it's reasonable to believe Uncle Remus (James Baskett), the affable black man at the center of the narrative, was once an enslaved person on the plantation where he lives. Uncle Remus, the creator of the Br'er Rabbit stories, becomes a father figure and friend to seven-year-old Johnny (Bobby Driscoll), a white boy visiting his grandmother's plantation as his parents struggle with an untold marital problem. Although Remus's sensitivity to Johnny surpasses his parents' indifference and neglect, this compassion implies that men like Remus and the housekeeper Aunt Tempy, played by Hattie McDaniel, are human only to the extent that they serve white characters' wants and desires. It's a notion still prevalent in contemporary films. Song of the South contains other examples of racism readily evident: minstrelsy by the animated characters, especially Br'er Fox, slang in the dialogue, a wandering chorus singing traditional black songs, and Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear ensnaring Br'er Rabbit with a tar baby. The film's most notable blemish is Remus's narration just before "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah," in which he muses about how things were "a long time ago" when "every day was mighty satisfactual. "If you'll excuse me for saying so," he adds, "'twas better all around."
[/quote]
On the other hand, some black people and media were grateful for any representation that wasn’t overtly negative, especially back then. The movie aired in 1948, after all, during Jim Crow, so based on those sensibilities, a lot of people didn’t see anything stereotypical about it.
robingoodfellow · M
@bijouxbroussard i watched the movie for the first time a few years ago. Even though Remus is packaged as the Uncle Tom stereotype there's a theme to the film that he's wiser and more intuitive than Bobby Driscoll's mom. And in the end she has to acknowledge he's a positive influence on her son, not a negative one. That, along with that lingering close up near the end of white hand in black hand made me come away feeling that it's racist reputation is a little exaggerated.
But also, as you pointed out, the whole movie is given a thick coat of that 'Golden Days of the Good 'Ol South' paint that was so prevalent in films of the era.
Golden if you were white and rich.
A lot of people buying cans of that paint again after all these years 😣
But also, as you pointed out, the whole movie is given a thick coat of that 'Golden Days of the Good 'Ol South' paint that was so prevalent in films of the era.
Golden if you were white and rich.
A lot of people buying cans of that paint again after all these years 😣
bijouxbroussard · F
@robingoodfellow My father took me to see it in 1965, I think. It annoyed him, as I recall. Pop grew up in the South, and after his parents and brothers were gone, he hasn’t returned. Mom’s remaining family members would come here.
robingoodfellow · M
@bijouxbroussard i think your father's reaction is worth a lot more than most of us here could add. I always appreciate your perspective on things.
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
By the standards of the day it wasnt.. And there was no intent of Racism. Judging anything my todays criteria is unfair. George Washington owned slaves...😷
bijouxbroussard · F
@whowasthatmaskedman Unless you consider that even then, groups were speaking out against slavery, and slaves were attempting to escape. George Washington certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be a slave. So slavery as a bad thing isn’t a new concept. And sorry, I [b]don’t[/b] consider it "unfair" to not revere those who wouldn’t have considered me even a human being, who would’ve bought me and bred me like an [b]animal[/b], sold my children. 🥺
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
@bijouxbroussard I agree with you..Indeed we might still have slaves if the industrial revolution had not made machines cheaper.. But I deliberately pushed an emotive button to make the point that standards change over time. What was accepted in one time is now taboo...😷
bijouxbroussard · F
@whowasthatmaskedman Likewise, what was taboo at one time (viewing people of color as human beings, not inferior to whites) is now widely accepted as common sense.
akindheart · 61-69, F
THEY made it rascist. because a black was involved.
it isn't
Tres13 · 51-55, M
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