#Repost @theafrodisniac (with @report.for.insta) ... Today's feature of Black 'Hidden Mickeys' is actor James Baskett. * * * Baskett played Uncle Remus in Disney's infamous 1946 live action and animated hybrid film "Song of the South". This is an example of a truly hidden figure, as much of Baskett's legacy has been buried due to the banning of "Song of The South" in the 1980s. This is due to its racial tones. * * * The film portrays a pastoral and genial depiction of a Southern plantation during the Reconstruction era, failing to explore the complexities of the time in a realistic way. The Black characters in the film are clearly still in servitude, but are presented as being upbeat and happy about their condition. * * * The film also employs use of the "Magical Negro" trope. The "Magical Negro" is a supporting stock character who comes to the aid of white protagonists in a film. They often possess special insight or mystical powers, and hold a position of subservience. This trope has long been a tradition in American fiction. * * * Disney has locked this film "in the vault" and also made the decision to leave the film off of Disney + when it launched in November 2019. Despite the controversy surrounding the film, it was highly commercially successful when it was released and even in later rereleases. * * * In addition to playing Uncle Remus, Baskett also voiced Brer Fox, and even Brer Rabbit in some scenes. Baskett won an honorary Oscar for his role in the film, making him the first Black, male performer to receive this award. The song that Baskett sings in the film, "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah", won the Oscar for Best Original Song. * * * His role is considered to be one of the first Hollywood portrayals of a black actor as a non-comic character in a leading role, in a film meant for general audiences. Despite all of this success, Baskett was not allowed to attend the premiere of the film in Atlanta, due to segregation laws. The popular Disney attraction Splash Mountain is based on this film. * * * #disneyinblackhistory #disneyinblack #theafrodisniac #afrodisniac #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryfacts #songofthesouth #splashmountain #jamesbaskett #di (at Durham, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8N7NH4JmOV/?igshid=17hwili8iivwc
