((Gone with the Wind is similar to this post in that its biggest flaw is that its like 4 hours long. This post is long as shit. Sorry.))
Recently, there has been an article going around (link at the bottom) comparing Gone with the Wind to the Confederate Flag, saying it should be banned as such. I have several problems with this article.
First, it states the film as subtly racist. Everyone who watches Gone with the Wind clearly sees the racism in the film. The black characters are either depicted as helpless, silent, or stupid, staying with Scarlett O'Hara despite the fact that the war is one and they are free. The younger slave Prissy speaks in what's practically broken english, is treated like a stupid child, and when the pressure falls to her, she cries helplessly and breaks, falling into hysterics, letting the White Woman come to her rescue (who's then a total bitch to her for understandably having a hard time dealing with the situation, but then again, that's Scarlett). It's also a film from the Souths perspective. So yes, as a film of the time on the matter would be, it falls into racism.
It also states that Birth of a Nation is "rarely shown" and forgotten. Birth of a Nation, which almost literally depicts the KKK as knights in shining armor, is still regarded as one of the best films of our time, shown in every film class, and talked about regularly. I think they're even making a remake. so bruh wtf ur wrong.
Finally, it simply misunderstands the film. Its not about how the Civil War was sadly and wrongfully lost and how evil and cruel the northerners are. Its about the tole the war took on an unsuspected, ignorant family of the South, and how a determined young girl goes from Southern Bell to dirt poor nothing and vows to reclaim her family name as pristine and proud. And then she freaking does it. Its about a young, determined, cruel yet brilliant girl makes her way to the top and then some, and about her fall after she lets money and power completely ruin her.
Its faults are not only in the blatant racism. The only female characters that are continuously respected throughout the whole film are mothers (or mother types, i.e. Mammy), enforcing the idea that women are only good for mothering. At one point it's heavily implied that Rhett Butler straight up rapes Scarlett to "put her in her place" and its never mentioned again. The film's got problems, but it's an important film of its time. It shows us how things were, besides the fact that its an incredibly well made piece.
The theme of Birth of a Nation is white supremacy. It's literally "love of the white race will overcome all black evil, and the whites are a strong family, despite where you stood on the civil war". The same is not the case with Gone with the Wind. Again, love and family play huge roles, but in no way does White Supremacy nudge its foot into that door. Its about the corruptness of money, gaining of power, importance of family, the power of family and love, and determination/perseverance. Think what you will of the film itself, but Gone with the Wind is not the Confederate flag.
