Was Disneyland Ever.......

[SpokkerJones]

i started this thread because i've heard many times that.....a-hem....Walt Disney was a racist

Yeah but who wasn't back then??

[Disneyland Daddy]

i started this thread because i've heard many times that.....a-hem....Walt Disney was a racist

Where have you heard this? Is there documented proof and if so, who documented it. Here-say is no bueno, especially when you are talking about someones character. If you 'heard' this stuff, then where did you hear it?

[Circarama]

Woohoo, I see strong sales of popcorn and red vines in this threads future... time to roll out the ODV cart.

[Goofy Daddy]

I don't see why some are having difficulty believing there was no racial segrigation nor tention in DL in the early years. As has been stated California at that time was very different in racial attitude than other parts of the nation.

I have never heard the term "racist" flung at Walt Disney but I have heard the old accusation that he had ties with people in the Nazi Germany and that he was "anti-semetic" (did I even spell that right?) although I don't recall ever hearing/seeing ant proof to back that attack on Disney up.

I would think that if it was indeed an issue then it would have been reported in the media, especially in a state that had racially integrated schools, stores, public facilities, and Resturants for at least a decade before the park opened.

[1313HarborBlvd]

This is an interesting question, was there an official policy of segregation within the park at that time? no, and there is no evidence to suggest there was. did Disney movies and park attraction perpetuate existing racial stereotypes? yes, from Song of the South to the Jungle Cruise, while not overtly racist, those and Disney properties portrayed blacks using pre-existing ethnic stereotypes showing them as happy, contented slaves and servants or as savages.
This indeed begs the question you raised, was Walt himself a racist, and I think the answer is a resounding no, nor was he anti-Semitic or intolerant of other religions. There is a great deal of evidence to support this opinion. If you’re interested in learning more about Walt read some of his writings. He has written on a number of serious subjects from the rise of Nazism and Fascism in Europe, to his views of faith, most of these essays can be found online. I’m sure the more you read about Walt, the greater your respect for him will be.

[Disneyland Daddy]

As well, if I am not mistaken, at the parks dedication ceremonies, didn't Walt Disney have a Catholic Priest, Protestant Minister and a Rabbi on hand for the opening 'blessing'? I could be off on the Priest, but I do recall the Minister and the Rabbi. I'm just basing this off of memory - haven't watched the DVD.

Also too - one of Walt Disney's good friends, Sammy Davis, Jr. was on hand at the opening - hello?

[1313HarborBlvd]

I have heard the old accusation that he had ties with people in the Nazi Germany and that he was "anti-semetic"

That is a common lie about Walt, which is as untrue as the urban legend that he was frozen. Read the things Walt himself wrote and said, and you'll see how deeply he believed in the idea of religous tolerence and why we admire him so much (it's not just for Disneyland) In my view Walt was not only one of the most important historical figures of the twentith century in terms of shaping American culture and society, he is also one of the greatest Americans who embodies the principles for which this country stands.

[Pirate Lover 68]

A couple of things... I am not trying to villify (sp?) Disney or Walt Disney in wondering about what if any racial issues or tension was present in the early days of Disneyland...I am just wondering from a social and historical perspective. I hear all of you loud and clear with regards to those who were here and didn't see it, etc. I hear you. I do take issue with folks who suggest that just because you can't find an article about anything relating to race means it is a non-story, we are talking 1955, and online sources aren't exactly great at finding things like this. This isn't a witch hunt, it's curiosity about a time from before I was born concerning an issue that has effects to this day. Again, no witch hunt, I just find it interesting and important.

As for the anti-Semitism question, "when Walt Disney testified before Congress in 1947 about the dangers of Communist influence in Hollywood, he singled out the threat posed by subversive Jews." (from Disney Discourse, edited by Eric Smoodin) and he got that from a book that referenced the testimony transcripts. I mention this only to say nobody was a saint then or today and that doesn't mean he was completely anti-Semitic, it means he had feelings and opinions that were more complex than can be stated in a simple statement like "He wasn't racist or anti-Semitic" or saying that he was and make him a devil.

Walt Disney and the company he built started at a certain point in history and has evolved over the years. It wasn't created in a vaccuum and wasn't free from opinions of the times or the ripples those opinions created, so that's where my curiosity lies. I think Disney has it's share of corporate evils and I also feel that it has been very supportive and tollerant of people and their backgrounds and lifestyles and I applaud them for that. But I found the thread appealing and voiced an interest.

[Goofy Daddy]

I do take issue with folks who suggest that just because you can't find an article about anything relating to race means it is a non-story, we are talking 1955, and online sources aren't exactly great at finding things like this. This isn't a witch hunt, it's curiosity about a time from before I was born concerning an issue that has effects to this day. Again, no witch hunt, I just find it interesting and important.

While it's true finding primary sources can be a problem we are not talking about some obscure company that came and went in history. This is Disneyland, which became, perhaps still is, an American Icon of sorts. I would think that if any kind of real "controversy" like that existed in the opening days/years of the park it would have been written about by now with sources sighted. I agree that it is not 100% proof of there being nothing to it, but I'd say it would be a prime indication. With all the Disney haters out there with their websites villifying him I would think that anything like that and proof to back it up would have been put out there already...just my view on it.

Now that you have talked about "witch hunts" all I can think about is Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

[1313HarborBlvd]

pirate lover, indeed it is interesting and important, your above statement is very well put. yes, of course this is a very complex issue, as most historical issues are, clearly its not black and white.
In regards to the issue of anti-semitism, the testimony you metinioned speaks more to how Walt was cought up in the anti-communism hysteria of the time than to any deep-lying anti jewish sentiment. I stand by my opinion, that, based on the majority of his writings, Walt was a proponent of religious tolerence and that, as his daughter Sharon said, "He respected every religion. There wasn't any that he ever criticized. He wouldn't even tell religious jokes." If Walts testimony in the 40's did reflect a prejudice, then his views certainly evolved, but I believe he always was tolerent, as this letter to his sister Ruth, written in January 1943, shows, "Little Diane is going to a Catholic school now, which she seems to enjoy very much. She is quite taken with the rituals and is studying catechism. She hasn't quite made up her mind yet whether she wants to be a Catholic or Protestant. I think she is intelligent enough to know what she wants to do, and I feel that whatever her decision may be is her privilege. I have explained to her that Catholics are people just like us and basically there is no difference. In giving her this broad view I believe it will tend to create a spirit of tolerance within her."
*I must credit Wade Sampson for finding that quote. For those of you interested in Walt and his views on faith Sampson wrote a very intersting article on that subject, published on MousePlanet on February 14, 2007.

[sediment]

As for the anti-Semitism question, "when Walt Disney testified before Congress in 1947 about the dangers of Communist influence in Hollywood, he singled out the threat posed by subversive Jews." (from Disney Discourse, edited by Eric Smoodin) and he got that from a book that referenced the testimony transcripts. I mention this only to say nobody was a saint then or today and that doesn't mean he was completely anti-Semitic, it means he had feelings and opinions that were more complex than can be stated in a simple statement like "He wasn't racist or anti-Semitic" or saying that he was and make him a devil.

Well, some (many? most?) of the Communists of Hollywood at the time were Jews. Subversive ones at that.
Most Jews I know of, then and now, have more of a Capitalist bent.

Walt had a Jewish Accountant. But, he also called him "My Jew Accountant." Maybe he was more complicated than a simple label.

[Pirate Lover 68]

Well, some (many? most?) of the Communists of Hollywood at the time were Jews. Subversive ones at that.
Most Jews I know of, then and now, have more of a Capitalist bent.

Walt had a Jewish Accountant. But, he also called him "My Jew Accountant." Maybe he was more complicated than a simple label.

That's what I was saying, so if you're in agreement that it's a complex issue, I agree with you...agreeing with me.

[sediment]

That's what I was saying, so if you're in agreement that it's a complex issue, I agree with you...agreeing with me.

I....um....what?

[Pirate Lover 68]

In regards to the issue of anti-semitism, the testimony you metinioned speaks more to how Walt was cought up in the anti-communism hysteria of the time than to any deep-lying anti jewish sentiment.

I agree that his concerns were more anti-communism and less anti-Semitism, he was concerned about control of his empire, with good reason having been ripped off before and wanted to make sure nothing took away what he was building.

Thanks for your posting as well.

[PSP]

I grew up in Southern California in the 50s (born in 1951) - IMO, the level of racial tension at that time is very much overblown.

Segregation did exist in some forms here, but it wasn't mandated by statute like it was in other areas of the country. There were definitely "negro" areas and "white" areas - why? IMO, people are generally more comfortable living around other people with whom they share cultural similarities. For current examples, just look at the predominant ethnic groups in certain area of Southern California today - Glendale has a strong Armenian presence, Westminster is largely Vietnamese, West Hollywood has many recent Russian immigrants, San Marino is predominantly Asian, etc.

Another poster mention blacks riding in the back of the bus - there weren't any rules or laws mandating that. Then, as now, most of the residents of Southern California weren't born here. If you grew up sitting in the back of the bus, chances are you would gravitate towards the back of the bus naturally. If you were bothered by the inequality (or whatever), you were free to move to the front of the bus. At the beginning of my first season on my high school football team, a majority of the black players sat together in the back of the bus as a sign of solidarity. Pretty soon, the "back of the bus" extended all the way up to the first row of seats and included all of the players.

Don't read any of this to mean that I don't think racism existed - it clearly did. Opportunities were not equal, but things were changing for the better.