The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Hollyweird typically portrays gay men as cartoonish stereotypes. On TV, they're typically accompanied by a laugh track because presumably they're supposed to be comical?

 

[Rich T]

...also the singing black workers putting together the tents towards the beginning of the film...also not okay, but Dumbo is a product of its time. Either way, it’s unacceptable. The portrayal is negative.

I've always thought the roustabouts were composed of all different (or at least unspecific) races, all performing the same job together. They're just portrayed in shadow and silhouette during a storm for dramatic effect. That's the way circuses used to work (and some still do). They'd pull into town and everyone would help set up, with the strongest troupe members doing the "roustabout" heavy lifting. It wasn't just black people. And the singing in time to a rhythm was something that was actually done during moments when timing had to be coordinated.

I can see how, if one assumes all the roustabouts are black, that could be offensive, but I really don't think that was the intention. If the scene took place in bright sunlight instead of a lightning storm, I think the roustabouts would have been revealed as being a racially diverse bunch.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I don’t remember the black workers scene very well so I won’t comment on that. To me the crows are the best part of Dumbo and come off as characters that were free spirited, funny and full of character. Regardless, I appreciate your input and respect that you feel that way.

The crows are the best part for me, too. They’re definitely full of character, but the stereotypical jive talking and mannerisms, plus the name Jim Crow name creates issues. Still, I love the crows.

Always fun talking to you.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I've always thought the roustabouts were composed of all different (or at least unspecific) races, all performing the same job together. They're just portrayed in shadow and silhouette during a storm for dramatic effect. That's the way way circuses used to work (and some still do). They'd pull into town and everyone would help set up, with the strongest troupe members doing the "roustabout" heavy lifting. It wasn't just black people. And the singing in time to a rhythm was something that was actually done during moments when timing had to be coordinated.

I can see how, if one assumes all the roustabouts are black, that could be offensive, but I really don't think that was the intention. If the scene took place in bright sunlight instead of a lightning storm, I think the roustabouts would have been revealed as being a racially diverse bunch.

There was no ill intention with any racist movies and cartoon shorts back then. It was considered normal to draw blacks with large, pink lips, “pickaninny” hair, and make them ignorant and stupid, for example.

 

[mickEblu]

The crows are the best part for me, too. They’re definitely full of character, but the stereotypical jive talking and mannerisms, plus the name Jim Crow name creates issues. Still, I love the crows.

Always fun talking to you.

Likewise

And I feel you on the name.

 

[Rich T]

There was no ill intention with any racist movies and cartoon shorts back then. It was considered normal to draw blacks with large, pink lips, “pickaninny” hair, and make them ignorant and stupid, for example.

I'm just saying I don't think the roustabouts are supposed to be all an all-black group. Circus roustabouts were historically multi-racial, and Dumbo -- partially due to Bill Peet's involvement (he was a huge circus fan)-- tries to work in a lot of little historically accurate details about circus life along with all the fantasy. Circuses were self-enclosed communities with their own traditions and rules.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I'm just saying I don't think the roustabouts are supposed to be all an all-black group. Circus roustabouts were historically multi-racial, and Dumbo -- partially due to Bill Peet's involvement (he was a huge circus fan)-- tries to work in a lot of little historically accurate details about circus life along with all the fantasy. Circuses were self-enclosed communities with their own traditions and rules.

I specifically responded to your comments about ill intent. Regarding the workers, I personally believe the workers are most likely black. If you don’t, that’s fine.

 

[Mac Tonight]

Adding to the category of things that would never fly in today's world: last night I was watching some old Our Gang episodes, and stumbled on The Pinch Singer, where Darla, Alfalfa, and Spanky try to win a singing contest. All was as I remembered, until a group called "The Plantation Trio" got up to sing, and consisted of three white children done up in blackface.

 

[chadwpalm]

Since we are bringing up MC users, does anyone remember Sprig? He'd post his annual conspiracy theories about how the Peoplemover is coming back. Between his 2016 and 2017 trip, he noticed what he called "witness marks" on the rails that were evidence that vehicles had been tested on them when in reality they were just rust spots. That and the power taps Disney uses to power the spotlights were also some kind of evidence. Good times indeed. Spent over 5 years on those boards. I know all of those people you guys speak of. CoalingaLucy's constant bickering with everyone was fun.

 

[TROR]

Since we are bringing up MC users, does anyone remember Sprig? He'd post his annual conspiracy theories about how the Peoplemover is coming back. Between his 2016 and 2017 trip, he noticed what he called "witness marks" on the rails that were evidence that vehicles had been tested on them when in reality they were just rust spots. That and the power taps Disney uses to power the spotlights were also some kind of evidence. Good times indeed. Spent over 5 years on those boards. I know all of those people you guys speak of. CoalingaLucy's constant bickering with everyone was fun.

I got her banned in a lengthy callout post proving she was using someone else's face as her own.

 

[The_Mesh_Hatter]

No more board with all the ride times in the hub. And the adjacent planter has been downsized.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

What a tragic waste. Generations of Disneyland visitors have learned the current wait times for such classic attractions as Space Mountain, The Haunted Manson and of course Rocket Rods from that board.

 

[Darkbeer1]

What a tragic waste. Generations of Disneyland visitors have learned the current wait times for such classic attractions as Space Mountain, The Haunted Manson and of course Rocket Rods from that board.

And now they will learn it from their phone....

 

[SuddenStorm]

No more board with all the ride times in the hub. And the adjacent planter has been downsized.

This is a bigger change than the demise of the A-E ticket books. We'll be telling the stories of that board to our grandchildren decades from now.

 

[mickEblu]

This is a bigger change than the demise of the A-E ticket books. We'll be telling the stories of that board to our grandchildren decades from now.

“Kids, you should have seen this place when it had flowers and plants and trees.”

 

[SuddenStorm]

“Kids, you should have seen this place when it had flowers and plants and trees.”

Back in my day, Disneyland had these things called a "bench". You could sit on it if you got tired.

 

[Rich T]

“Believe it or not, kids, Disneyland used to have things called “rides.” You’d sit in a little cart on a track and experience a little adventure. But then some people experienced emotional discomfort and... well... lawyers... and ... “

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Even the rides will eventually be replaced by the app.

 

[shortstop]

If they would just update Kinect: Disneyland Adventures, there wouldn’t even be a need to have Disneyland in real life.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Yeah, when they announced Lafou would be gay in Beauty and the Beast... my first thought was how incredibly disingenuous the move was. In the animated feature, he's the comic relief... the oblivious fool who does everything Gaston wants in the most inept/funny way possible. I think it's important that movies become more inclusive, but there's a right and a wrong way to do it.

And that wasn't it.