HBO Max snatched Gone with the Wind from their library like a raggedy wig.
The classic racist 1939 film was removed on Tuesday in the wake of the George Floyd protests.
An HBO Max spokesperson told Variety:
‘Gone With The Wind’ is a product of its time and depicts some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that have, unfortunately, been commonplace in American society.
These racist depictions were wrong then and are wrong today, and we felt that to keep this title up without an explanation and a denouncement of those depictions would be irresponsible.
These depictions are certainly counter to WarnerMedia’s values, so when we return the film to HBO Max, it will return with a discussion of its historical context and a denouncement of those very depictions, but will be presented as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed.
If we are to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive future, we must first acknowledge and understand our history.
An op-ed in the Los Angeles Times, written by 12 Years A Slave screenwriter John Ridley, called HBO Max out on their BS for having the film in their library.
While the film has been removed…it’s only temporary.
A spokesperson for HBO Max said the film will be returned to their library with a discussion about its historical context and a denouncement of its racist depictions.
Chile…they really want to keep that racist flick by any means necessary.
Welp. My subscription will be gone with the wind too!
Source: Variety
