MovieChat Forums > Dumbo (1941) Discussion > How is this movie racist?

How is this movie racist?


Is it because of the roustabout scene? Well, yes, they were all black men, but this was common in the 1940s, a majority of African Americans were migrant workers who handled menial jobs, which are usually performed by Hispanics today.
This scene isn't racist. If you'll notice, they're working hard. They're not just sitting around playing craps and eating watermelon. These guys are hard workers. Erecting that big circus tent over the course of one night. Sure, they're singing about never learning to read or write and things like that, but again, this was 1941. Schools were not integrated yet, so a majorty of African American children were not permitted in schools (not the so-called 'good' ones for whites).

What about the crow scene? Is it because the lead guy is named Jim Crow? Sure that's another slang term, but in this case, the character is a crow named Jim. As for the other crows, all voiced by African American men. Jim is voiced by Cliff Edwards, who was white, but he doesn't do an over-the-top mammy voice.

Therefore, Dumbo is not racist, it just reflects the times.

Same with Song of the South. How is that racist? Uncle Remus is a naturally happy man, not just a so-called "happy slave" as this movie was set after the Civil War), and as for the cartoon characters: Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear were all voiced by African American men. Not white guys doing exaggerated impersonations.

Therefore, Song of the South is not racist either. Just reflecting the times.

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It is a very much a reflection of the times, as are many of the Disney films that were created back when Walt Disney was alive. It was acceptable then but unfortunately, people apply to the rules and laws of today.

It would be better to view as it was back then, but some people appear to think that these Disney films were made in the ways of today when that is not the case. I don't blame them for thinking like that, if it personally affects them but they should still understand a different time period and not stamp on the films or Walt Disney's name for it.

Believe me, nothing is trivial. - Eric Draven, The Crow.

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And again, how is Dumbo offensive towards black people? Yes, the roustabouts were black, but they were hard workers. Yeah, they sing about throwing away their money and "slaving til they're almost dead", but that's normal. I'm sure everybody in back-breaking jobs feels that way. The crows? All voiced by black men, except Jim (voiced by Cliff Edwards), and they ended up becoming positive characters who help Dumbo and Timothy.

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Those things aren't racist. People are just forcefed the idea that presenting racism in any way is racist. Ironically these same people are usually the ones griping about how evil white people have been throughout history... yet they want no historical racism like this shown in movies.

http://i.imgur.com/In2Un.jpg

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If you're going to claim that the crows represent an entire race, you can't stop there can you? Let's apply that standard to ALL of the characters in movie:

Italians are greedy and not too bright (the ringmaster)
Red-haired children are cruel and vicious (the child who made fun of Dumbo)
Whites are stupid and greedy and careless of the needs of others (the white clowns who demand that the set be raised regardless of the danger to Dumbo)
White women are catty, gossipy, and downright mean (the "light-skinned" elephants)
People from Brooklyn are sharp operators always on the lookout for a scam (Timothy Mouse)

On the other hand, if the crows represent blacks, then:

Blacks are clever (witness the delightful word-play in the Elephant Fly song)
Blacks are sensitive to the needs of others
Blacks have a wonderful sense of humor
Blacks are intelligent (they come up with the idea of the magic feather)


Or maybe, just maybe, the ringmaster is just the ringmaster, the clowns are just the clowns, the children are just vicious children, the elephants are just elephants, Timothy is just a mouse and the crows are just crows. There's no need to assume more than that.

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Italians are greedy and not too bright (the ringmaster)
Red-haired children are cruel and vicious (the child who made fun of Dumbo)
Whites are stupid and greedy and careless of the needs of others (the white clowns who demand that the set be raised regardless of the danger to Dumbo)
White women are catty, gossipy, and downright mean (the "light-skinned" elephants)
People from Brooklyn are sharp operators always on the lookout for a scam (Timothy Mouse)

That about sums it up.

Blacks are clever (witness the delightful word-play in the Elephant Fly song)
Blacks are sensitive to the needs of others
Blacks have a wonderful sense of humor
Blacks are intelligent (they come up with the idea of the magic feather)

You got it!

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[deleted]

[deleted]

It's not racist. It's a silly cartoon. Relax your sphincters and enjoy it, then go on with your lives.

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