I thought this was interesting!

Bristling Dixie
Uncle Walt thought Song of the South would be his masterpiece. Now it’s invisible.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/book ... iewed.html

I remember seeing that! Of course, as a child, I really didn't catch any of the racism and LOVED the characters charm.
I know that this, as with Little Black Sambo et al have been relegated to some dusty shelf, but I think it's wrong.

Think about it. First of all, they are part of the country's recent history and represent that history, good and bad. It's about the reality of the times.

Secondly, the damn Bible is full of all sorts of racist, misogynistic violence and they still worship it, sell it, make movies about it and not a peep. I'm sure there are plenty of other books/movies that depict other races in unflattering light. Old westerns. Books about pioneer times. Gone With The Wind.

We should not expect our past arts to depict today's current social mindset and expectations. Use them for teaching tools. Celebrate their creativity, if not their message. Put into the proper context, children can learn from them. We on the left shake our heads when the conservatives get all offended want to cover the genitalia of great works of art, like Michelangelo's David. Censorship is never a good thing, no matter what the motivation.