Racism is not "Gone with the Wind"
One of Hollywood’s most iconic films, “Gone with the Wind,” is being banned from the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis Tennessee after being deemed “insensitive” for its portrayal of African Americans.
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As part of their summer series program, the theatre screened their first showing of the 1939’s classic film August 11. However, the Orpheum received numerous complaints about the film, causing them to shut down the remaining screenings and drop it from their 2018 series and tradition of 34 years.
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Victor Fleming’s film was adapted from the novel, “Gone with the Wind,” by Margaret Mitchell. The film, which starred Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, faced criticism from viewers who disagreed with the film’s portrayal of people of color and its overall perspective of the South during this time in history.
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During this racially-divided age, with recent events like Charlottesville, patrons have started to voice their opinions towards the “insensitivity” of the film. However, according to Deadline Hollywood, the film, which is set in a Southern plantation during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods, is being supported by others who believe the movie is a learning tool to, “teach our children and grandchildren what is wrong with slavery.”
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After careful consideration, The Orpheum Theatre officially deemed the film as “insensitive” to its local population, which is 64 percent black. “While title selections for the series are typically made in the spring of each year, the Orpheum has made this determination early in response to specific inquiries from patrons,” read a statement from The Orpheum Theatre Group. “As an organization whose stated mission is to ‘entertain, educate and enlighten the communities it serves,’ the Orpheum cannot show a film that is insensitive to a large segment of its local population.
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Racial tension is at an all-time high due to recent events and, while perhaps ideologies may remain similar to that of the 20th century, our access to information and social media tools have allowed for virtually anyone to have their voice be heard.
After the cancellation of the screening, commenters took to Facebook to express the ban of the film as, “stupid,” with another commenting, “The Orpheum will be following the propaganda & discontinuing this historical film. #shameonyou #burnhistoryburn.”
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Brett Batterson, the President of Orpheum, told the Commercial Appeal in an interview that the group’s decision to ban the film was not a direct response to the events that took place in Charlottesville. “This is something that’s been questioned every year,” Batterson said. “But the social media storm this year has really brought it home.”
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The film originally won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best, Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. Interestingly enough, the recipient of Best Supporting Actress was Hattie McDaniel, who became the first African-American actress to be nominated and win an Oscar. Although McDaniel opened the door for other actresses of color, her character, “Mammy,” has become “controversial” when it comes to the representation of African American characters.
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It will be interesting to see if this occurrence will continue the on-and-off trend of well-loved classic films and, perhaps, novels no longer being viewed as appropriate forms of entertainment or art. It will be up for the viewers and/or readers to decide.
