Disney+ has added disclaimers warning viewers of “outdated cultural depictions” in some of its animated, classic films that may contain offensive stereotypes based on today’s standards.
As first reported by Mashable, films like “Dumbo” (1941), “Lady and the Tramp” (1955), “The Jungle Book” (1967) and “The Aristocats” (1970) have an additional phrase within their plot descriptions that reads: “This program is presented as originally created. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.”
“Dumbo” features wise-cracking, animated “Jim Crows” that use African American stereotypes, and “Lady and the Tramp” has also been criticized for mocking Asian stereotypes in its Siamese cats, a song that has been updated and replaced for the film’s live-action remake that also debuted on Disney+ on Tuesday. Other films like “Aladdin” also warn about tobacco use, and “Avengers: Endgame” warns of sci-fi action and violence.
Representatives for Disney+ did not immediately reply for a request for comment.
Twitter users who initially noticed the changes on some of the classic titles also compared the disclaimers to how Warner Bros. have handled instances of their own animated cartoons being culturally outdated, with a message that plays ahead of the cartoon being screened.
No plug forthcoming. Let’s be clear, Disney did harm. A lot. The only question is how to best address this. If the consensus from those directly harmed is that we need stronger wording you will receive no argument from me. Many have referenced the WB. Here is that wording. pic.twitter.com/X9aGjXv97o
— Evan (@324_B21) November 12, 2019
While much of the Disney vault is available on the company’s new streaming service, one film that is still locked away is the 1946 film “Song of the South,” which has been widely criticized as racist for being set in the Civil War era South and containing stereotypical depictions of African Americans.
While the Oscar-winning song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” is still widely popular for any attendees of Disneyland’s Splash Mountain attraction, the film has been out of distribution for decades.