“Gone with the Wind” is one of the most beloved American films of all time. It won eight Oscars and remains a classic in Hollywood history. However, it’s important to understand why this movie has become controversial over time.
One of the biggest issues with “Gone with the Wind” is that it romanticizes the Antebellum South and its institution of slavery. This was an era in which African Americans were bought and sold like commodities, subjected to inhumane treatment, deprived of basic human rights, and forced to work as slaves under cruel conditions. In “Gone with the Wind” however, these issues are never addressed or even acknowledged. Instead, slavery is portrayed as a benevolent practice that benefits both slave-owners and slaves alike. This depiction downplays the horrors of slavery and glosses over its devastating effects on African Americans for generations to come.
Another issue with “Gone with the Wind” is that it portrays African Americans in a negative light. The characters are often portrayed as lazy, ignorant, or comical – characteristics which were commonly used to dehumanize black people during this period in history. Furthermore, these characters often rely on white characters for rescue or guidance throughout the movie – another common trope used to suggest that black people could not make decisions for themselves without white help or intervention. These portrayals serve only to reinforce outdated stereotypes about African Americans that still exist today.
