Disney announced late last year that it would be launching their own streaming service and will include an expansive library of their content. Regarding their classic films, Disney has been consistent with the stance that it would not re-release Song of the South (which featured the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" and inspired Disneyland's Splash Mountain) on their Disney+ platform or any other - it has long been criticized for its glamorized portrayal of plantation life. It has also been reported that the Jim Crow scene in Dumbo will also be removed.
While Disney has not mentioned any further changes in respect to its library, this article presents other racially insensitive scenes in some of their other animated films and the effect of removing that content from its original source. While the changes may be commendable or have good intentions at their core, the online community has pointed out the larger problem of erasing the content - that it is a way of sanitizing history or acting like it never happened. What are your thoughts on Disney's decision or implications for future changes? Would you rather see the original content and a warning about insensitive material attached to it for context/education (especially to younger viewers)? Do you think all films/ television shows should be available or are there certain ones that should be banned due to our changing values as a society?
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