Talk:What Made the Red Man Red?/@comment-24935739-20150131013706/@comment-30251243-20161017071123

I think there are some things that need to be addressed in what you're saying here. You say it's not racist, because it doesn't specifically say in any way Native Americans are inferior. However, racism can manifest in many ways that isn't necessarily explicit, but implicit with the way that it treats a certain group of people. (According to your definition- this concept falls into the portion addressing "[taking] form of social actions.").

Let me break some of the issues down:

The song uses the word "squaw" which is a derogitory term used for a Native American woman that is easily taken advantage of by a white man. It is actual, offensive slang that is used to demean people

The song greatly implies the Native Americans as being primitive with saying they say "Ugh!". Later in the movie, when the boys are acting like the Native Americans they met, Wendy uses the term "savage" to describe the behavior- heavily implying that Native Americans themselves are savages.

Additionally, there are some problems with the visuals that accopany the song

It over dramatizes features and skin tone- making unattractive caricatures of these people (except of course, in depicting women that were actively flirting).

It depicts a homogenous, generic, stereotypical view of Native Americans. It shows teepees and totem poles in the same camp, shows erratic, wild behavior, and has the chief perform a ridiculous sign language.

Look, I get it- Peter Pan was made in the 1950's, and I understand that the animator's social awareness probably would've been minimal just because of American society was generally more segregated and less socially aware at that time. It probably wasn't their intention by any means to make something that was inherently so problematic - but lack intention doesn't necessarily reduce to the extent in which something is offensive. It is frustrating, that at this point in time, people are saying that this song isn't racist or offensive in any capacity because it doesn't technically fit a narrow, personally defined criteria for what racism is.