Jeannie Mai says 'offensive' Disney+ content should be edited out: 'Racism is taught'
The Real co-host Jeannie Mai says Disney+ needs to take a closer look at what it’s streaming.
The new service, which boasted over 10 million signups in the first day alone, contains some content that’s prefaced with the on-screen warning: “This program is presented as originally created. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.”
Some movies that contain the warning include classics like Dumbo and The Jungle Book.
Mai says the warning doesn’t go far enough, and that Disney should edit out anything that’s not up to today’s standards.
“If it took the same time to give us that disclaimer couldn’t it take the same time to just switch out something that would rub us the wrong way?” she asks.
She added, “I think that racism is taught, and I think that Disney is responsible for educating us in so many ways so why can’t they educate us on the right thing to do by showing an edit?”
Co-host Loni Love disagreed, and said that keeping the original versions available could be used as a teaching opportunity.
“I think the teachable thing is ‘that’s the way it was back then,’” said Love.
Panelist Tamera Mowry-Housley agreed with Love. “I think it’s the parent’s responsibility,” she said. “Once the parent sees that disclaimer...you then can use it as a teachable moment, you can educate your child,” she added.
The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg told Yahoo Entertainment in 2017 that Disney should re-release one of its most controversial films, Song of the South, which remains unavailable on the new streaming service.
Viewers on Twitter weighed in, with some saying Mai is right and that any content deemed “offensive” should be edited or removed entirely:
A disclaimer may help explain the past errors but it doesn't justify perpetuating racist depictions that continue to generate revenue. The right thing to do is retire all of these products and invest in new diverse and inclusive productions. #TIMESUP #BlackLivesMatter
— Mary Stelletello (@VistaGlobalMary) November 17, 2019
Disney movies are racist and misogynist 99% of the time, going back to their earliest films. Please don't promote them.
— Merryl Rosenthal (@MerrylJill) November 18, 2019
But others said the disclaimer is enough and that the films should stay as-is:
Disney disclaimer, leave the original films alone! If you continue to try to erase our history, there's nothing left to learn from.I agree with the ladies on "use it as a teaching moment " THAT is correct. Teach your children right from wrong from our HISTORY don't ERASE IT
— Susan Fisher (@SusanFi67825636) November 18, 2019
@TheRealDaytime interesting how the real is bashing old Disney.. just because some of it is old doesn’t mean it has to be changed ? Why don’t we just leave everything the way it is? You guys are dumb af.
— Kali Ma (@MandrSalamander) November 18, 2019
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