Disney's Dark Past

Over the years, Walt Disney has given the world some of the most magical films of all time. 'Snow White', 'Steamboat Willy', 'Pinnochio', 'Peter Pan', and 'Song Of The South'. Sorry? You haven't heard of the classic 'Song Of The South'? The delightful musical set in a plantation in the south of the USA? Well of course you haven't: it was never released on home video, and has only gained cult attention because of its rather racist undertones.

The plot circles around Uncle Remus, a black plantation worker for a rich family. When a young boy visits his grandmother whilst his father works away he is befriended by Remus, who tells them stories of Br'er Rabbit, Fox and Bear. Seems timid? It is. It really actually is. But this is a kid's film, and critics have called it a "depiction of a perfect master-slave relationship". Remus happily works his days at the plantation whilst he receives seemingly no pay, and worst of all this film is set more or less straight after the American Civil War. However, the film is charming, and the animation scenes are some of the best I've ever enjoyed and the original song 'Zip-Ah-Dee-Doo-Dah' even won an Academy Award. The film does try to get out a good message, but is completely insensitive in doing so. And for those of you who think I'm displaying a little hypocrisy can think again: it isn't a fair film. Watch it and you'll see. Even when Walt himself was commenting on the making of the film he would use the word 'negro' ("old negro philosopher") to describe Uncle Remus. Disney, being a primarily children's entertainment corporation should be telling kids that all people are equal and should be treated fairly and as friends, however this film (although everyone is happy together) sets a complete stereotype of working African Americans at that time. Maybe certain elements are true, in that he would've been employed and treated in such a way, but surely it's not right to put this in a kids' film? And if that's still not enough for you, Walt Disney has included several racial stereotypes in some other media in the past.

• The crows in 'Dumbo'
• The red indians in ''Peter Pan'
• The numerous black characters in the old 'Mickey Mouse' films and books

Walt Disney himself was a mad anti-semite too, and constantly made fun of the Jews, even having the 'Big Bad Wolf' from a rendition of the 'Three Little Pigs' be depicted as a Jewish peddler, and having Mickey Mouse do a little jig dressed up as a Hasidic Jew. Back in the days of pre-Martin Luther King America racism was rife and anyone with half a brain knows it. Anybody who accused others of being a racist back then had the first amendment wrongfully slapped in their face despite hardly anybody ever having read it (go to 5:00). However, soon things went quiet and now we're being strangled if we even sing 'Baa-Baa Black Sheep', and we laugh at the apparently risque but actually completely shit Little Ms. Jocelyn.

I bring all this to your attention as Disney have cast their first Afro-American Princess in their latest animated film, 'The Princess and The Frog'. Now for me, this is great news, as instead of those who will obviously highlight it as a some sort of sign of an "immigrant invasion" (I'm watching you, Griffin), I see it as a corporation embracing the wonderful fact that the USA is a vastly diverse multicultural society. By 2012 America will be less than 50% white, and some predict in the next 20 years Spanish will be the most spoken language there. Although I've grown out of the Disney animated films to an extent, their main purpose is to educate children and diversify their outlook on life. 'The Princess and The Frog' does this excellently, however 'Song of The South' certainly does not. Disney does have a dark, mischievous past, and it's criminal to ignore it, but those times have gone and they're back to helping one of the best causes in the world, educating kids.

Thanks for reading, I just thought I'd bring up a little snippet of info for all you Disney lovers out there, and I hope I haven't ruined too many childhoods in the process. I hope to see you here again soon!