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That makes such things valid objects of critical historical study...but not entertainment for children.
Must it be either/or though? Can it not be both/and?
WB faced a similar issue when they released their DVD boxed sets of the classic Looney Tunes --- some of which were incredibly racist. So the DVD has Whoopi Goldberg do an intro and just face the issue up front. Talk about it. Make it the proverbial "teachable moment."
Post-moderns love to scoff at the practices of ancient Pharaohs and Caesars whose "histories" were all about their victories and divine rights but never detailed their failures. It was an incredibly dishonest history.
But are we doing anything different when we cancel movies, books, and TV shows because they no longer reflect our current values?
I'm not exactly in a hurry to rewatch SONG OF THE SOUTH. I saw it once in the theater when I was a kid. I don't remember being particularly taken by it. I just don't like the idea of trying to erase art that may be offensive. I'd rather face the offense and learn from it.
Must it be either/or though? Can it not be both/and?
No. No more than D. W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation" or Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will" can be both.
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WB faced a similar issue when they released their DVD boxed sets of the classic Looney Tunes --- some of which were incredibly racist. So the DVD has Whoopi Goldberg do an intro and just face the issue up front. Talk about it. Make it the proverbial "teachable moment."
Well, then you've introduced the "critical historical study" aspect that I spoke of. That's no longer the story alone.
There are some stories that do manage to do both within the context of the story. "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Huckleberry Finn" come readily to mind.
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Post-moderns love to scoff at the practices of ancient Pharaohs and Caesars whose "histories" were all about their victories and divine rights but never detailed their failures. It was an incredibly dishonest history.
But are we doing anything different when we cancel movies, books, and TV shows because they no longer reflect our current values?
I didn't say anything about "cancelling" anything. I said:
That makes such things valid objects of critical historical study...but not entertainment for children.
No. No more than D. W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation" or Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will" can be both.
Who is showing "Birth of a Nation" and "Triumph of the Will" to their kids? Call social services!
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Originally Posted by Ralph_Kirk
I didn't say anything about "cancelling" anything. I said:
That makes such things valid objects of critical historical study...but not entertainment for children.
But again: Can't it be both? I'm honestly asking. The question is not rhetorical.
The racist Bugs Bunny cartoons are still entertaining. They are brilliant cartoons. But if you're showing them to your kids, it's probably a good idea to discuss the racism in them that was prevalent of the time.
I think it would historically instructive to know how and why those stories came to America.
A properly-written introduction would include that information. And reading the stories would of course reinforce that, as they are all about using your wits to survive against enemies much more powerful than yourself. No wonder slaves told those stories to their children!
The racist Bugs Bunny cartoons are still entertaining. They are brilliant cartoons. But if you're showing them to your kids, it's probably a good idea to discuss the racism in them that was prevalent of the time.
It's probably better to wait until the kids are older before introducing them to the problematic cartoons like Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips. Let them watch the non-racist Loony Tunes stuff first. Then they can move on to the the problematic ones (with an adult putting the problematic material in its proper context).
It's probably better to wait until the kids are older before introducing them to the problematic cartoons like Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips. Let them watch the non-racist Loony Tunes stuff first. Then they can move on to the the problematic ones (with an adult putting the problematic material in its proper context).
I watched all of that, good and bad cartoons, as a child. I was smart enough to work it out for myself.
With today's snowflakes, I guess that they need more hand holding and hugging!
I watched all of that, good and bad cartoons, as a child. I was smart enough to work it out for myself.
With today's snowflakes, I guess that they need more hand holding and hugging!
Do you not understand how these sort of depictions set up an us (white people) vs them (foreigners or POC with their funny ways) that is insulting if you're not part of the "us"? So even if something didn't bother *you*, Song of the South might have bothered or shamed the Black kids down the street. If it's being a snowflake to realize that something that depicts an ethnic minority or people of color as a stereotype can be harmful, than bbbrrrrr
Do you not understand how these sort of depictions set up an us (white people) vs them (foreigners or POC with their funny ways) that is insulting if you're not part of the "us"? So even if something didn't bother *you*, Song of the South might have bothered or shamed the Black kids down the street. If it's being a snowflake to realize that something that depicts an ethnic minority or people of color as a stereotype can be harmful, than bbbrrrrr
Give me a break! It's a frickin cartoon!!!!!
What about COMEDIANS who have been picking on groups for years! Richard Pryor, Don Rickles (who BTW was really a softie, he always apologized to anyone in the audience that he singled out with a bottle of champagne) and others would be out of work today
Old cowboys and Indians black and white TV series are gone
That's the problem with society today. Everyone is too soft. No sense of humor! The "snowflakes" have ruined it for everyone else
Give me a break! It's a frickin cartoon from a different time in history!!!!!
What about COMEDIANS who have been picking on groups for years! Richard Pryor, Don Rickles (who BTW was really a softie, he always apologized to anyone in the audience that he singled out with a bottle of champagne) and others would be out of work today
Old cowboys and Indians black and white TV series are gone
That's the problem with society today. Everyone is too soft. No sense of humor! The "snowflakes" have ruined it for everyone else
What about COMEDIANS who have been picking on groups for years! Richard Pryor, Don Rickles (who BTW was really a softie, he always apologized to anyone in the audience that he singled out with a bottle of champagne) and others would be out of work today
Old cowboys and Indians black and white TV series are gone
That's the problem with society today. Everyone is too soft. No sense of humor! The "snowflakes" have ruined it for everyone else
This is nothing knew. Black people have detested "Song of the South" from the moment it was released.
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