I have a VERY hard time separating a film's content with its message. While Brer Rabbit morphs into the beloved Bugs Bunny, Uncle Remus is left behind as an artifact of America's past. It is difficult to NOT see the references to slavery in this film; however, the stories are intricately coded with messages unique to the African American oral tradition. Joel Chandler Harris was inspired by slaves and based his characters on such people. Still, the stories have value. The problem is that the DIXIE the folks are singing about during the opening credits is one that is CONFEDERATE, i.e. pro-slavery. Therefore, the film is problematic because it presents an idyllic myth and fallacy about the slavery institution as benevolent and kind. The "happy darkie" or contented slave is one of those mythical characters. "Happy darkies" like Uncle Remus are the myth, not the reality of chattel slavery. Plantations were not fun places to live and work, sing with animals and play with children. Uncle Remus is akin to Bojangles; both were black male characters who were only capable of befriending white children.
Hmmm... I think any film that portrays slavery in a positive light is a problem, such as Gone with the Wind. Hattie McDaniel is a SLAVE, not just a mere maid. Downplaying the historical, political and social subtext of these films only adds more controversy to an already very sensitive issue that began with Africans' arrival in the New World in the 17th century. Granted, most child viewers will not ever interpret the deeply-packed subtext; further, there are many white Americans who do not want to address or even acknowledge issues of race and slavery. You see, then, how Uncle Remus becomes such a problem for those who are sensitive to topics of race, racism and slavery.
I wonder, though, if the film were entitled Song of Aushwitz, whether the Jews depicted in their ghettos and camps (sans plantations) would be as beloved. An old rabbi will tell tales of Herr Rabbit evading Herr Fox and Herr Bear (Herr = mister in German). No one would ever refute whether that portrayal was anti-Semitic or bigoted. However, when browner people are involved, somehow things are not racist, bigoted, etc. Very interesting indeed. The South never had a song to sing in the Post-Civil War era, unless they were still whistling Dixie, but then, we are back where we started.
Messy. Quite messy indeed.
Hmmm... I think any film that portrays slavery in a positive light is a problem, such as Gone with the Wind. Hattie McDaniel is a SLAVE, not just a mere maid. Downplaying the historical, political and social subtext of these films only adds more controversy to an already very sensitive issue that began with Africans' arrival in the New World in the 17th century. Granted, most child viewers will not ever interpret the deeply-packed subtext; further, there are many white Americans who do not want to address or even acknowledge issues of race and slavery. You see, then, how Uncle Remus becomes such a problem for those who are sensitive to topics of race, racism and slavery.
I wonder, though, if the film were entitled Song of Aushwitz, whether the Jews depicted in their ghettos and camps (sans plantations) would be as beloved. An old rabbi will tell tales of Herr Rabbit evading Herr Fox and Herr Bear (Herr = mister in German). No one would ever refute whether that portrayal was anti-Semitic or bigoted. However, when browner people are involved, somehow things are not racist, bigoted, etc. Very interesting indeed. The South never had a song to sing in the Post-Civil War era, unless they were still whistling Dixie, but then, we are back where we started.
Messy. Quite messy indeed.