Well, for one, I would suggest that Disney with people like Miss Georgia who was mentioned earlier in this thread that have a close relationship with these stories and work to preserve them. If there’s anyone who should influence what this ride could look like going forward, it should be them. There should also be an exhibit of some kind at the end that exposes guests to more Br’er Rabbit stories and actively encourages them to develop a further interest in the tales.
That doesn't really help to change the ride though. What would you do about the ride to distance it from the 1946 film?
Considering that Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America, it would be a crime to prevent stories that have influenced a good portion of American culture from inspiring others because of mistakes made with their handling in the past. In fact, those mistakes should emphasize the responsibility Disney has ensuring their reputations can be improved for future generations.
I do think the stories have value and should be preserved and retold: but not within the context of the 1946 movie. That was always the problem. If there is a sincere desire to preserve the stories and their place in the culture, why not advocate for re-imagining the Brer stories with different characterizations, different voices and different music? Why not create a black produced version of the stories, in a way they want the stories to be conveyed?
But what if the community does not want these stories told in this way? What if the source material is so far removed from the community, they only see it as a disconnected historical footnote? Why then, not just advocate for black artists to tell the stories they want to tell, rather than trying to prop up Song of the South?
You’re pretty extreme in insinuating everyone who’s angry over the ride’s removal is racist.
I certainly don't want to imply that everyone that likes the ride is a racist, or even that everyone who wants the ride to stay is being racist. I just can't see a good selfless argument for why the ride needs to stay.
The fact that you’re demonizing and belittling our perspectives is proof that Disney’s actions have in fact created a space where we can’t have honest discussions about their controversial material, allowing radicalized positions on them to further develop and inevitably result the wholesale demonization of everyone and everything relating to them regardless of any nuance the situation may require.
Right now, there seems to be little point in having a discussion, and frankly, I do feel a little insulted at the idea that NOW a discussion has to take place. Song of the South was released 75 years ago and has been a point of "discussion" all this time. Splash Mountain was announced 34 years ago, and back then people asked about the connection to Song of the South. But only now that the ride is being removed and Disney has said they don't want to support it, we're supposed to engage in
honest discussion? Only now, when threatened with extinction, are we supposed to find some way to redeem the
seventy-five-year-old movie and try to see the good in it?
I don't really mean to demonize anyone, but if you think that putting a sticker on a DVD or a warning label at the end of a ride, will somehow excuse the racism and appropriation, you're wrong.
Attractions come and go at Disneyland and always have. It is a natural part of the lifecycle of entertainment that attractions will eventually close, and Splash Mountain is no exception to that. Disney may be taking a stand on social progress and accelerating that change, but that's their decision to do so, and they do so with the hope of being more inclusive and attracting a wider audience in the future. They are investing time, money and energy in revamping the ride and representing it and telling new stories. New stories that can be just as good as the old ones.
What valid reason is there to suggest that Splash Mountain needs to stay, other than asserting that there is no imagination left in the world and that there are no new stories worth telling.
This may be Disney’s decision, but I don’t have to agree with any aspect of it. Also, people want older classic attractions to remain doesn’t mean there’s no imagination left in the world or no new stories to be told. As I’ve previously stated, there are plenty of attractions older than Splash Mountain. Should they all bite the dust too in order to ensure there’s imagination left in the world and new stories can be told?
