A simple question for people who LIKED this film...

I think the reason so many Black people are offended by this film can be summed up by 1 fact listed on James Baskett's IMDB bio page:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0059934/bio

"He did not attend the premiere of "Song of the South" in Atlanta because as an African American he would not have been allowed to participate in any of the festivities in that racially segregated city."

HERE IS MY QUESTION:

How can any reasonable person (Black or not) think Black people should NOT feel passionately about a film that portrays them as happy with their circumstances during reconstruction (circa 1870) when those circumstances remained so restrictive over 70 years after the film was supposed to have taken place?

A film that romanticizes an era that was so obviously inhumane to Black people, while trying to portray plantation owners as noble and virtuous?

I don't believe Disney himself was a bigot. He probably wouldn't have bothered making the film if he were. Also, he campaigned for Baskett to receive a special Academy Award and stayed in contact with the Baskett family for many years after the film, clearly the actions of someone who regarded Baskett as more than just a one-time employee. But all films, well-intentioned or not, should be meet with FAIR and EDUCATED criticism. And people shouldn't automatically be expected to enjoy a film (even a musical!) that clearly sends an ambiguous and troubling message regarding the mental capacity of Black people to suffer.

The only word that all interested parties might use to describe this film is 'naive.' I've seen it and can personally attest to the charming performances, catchy songs and innovative photography. But how else can you attempt to produce a children's musical shortly after the slave period while removing every negative reference to it?

If this film had been based in the north during 1946 (the year of its theatrical release), it would've been deemed implausible by almost every critic. To expect people to mindlessly enjoy such a film taking place in the south around 1870 is pretty unreasonable.

Maybe if the affection and genuine concern the characters displayed toward each other was seen more often in modern American society, instead of the rumbling volcano of bigotry and resentment and anger we have now, we might be able to sit down and simply enjoy this film one day.

Whatever you wish for me, I hope you have twice as much.