What Made the Red Man Red?

Jonathan "Candy" Candido, who played the role of the Chief in Peter Pan, said the following in an interview with MousePlanet:

When I recorded [the song], I sang it with 10 bass singers from around Los Angeles. And if you hear the song, you'll notice my bass voice is almost twice as low as theirs ... You know, when you see the Indian chief, he's fat. I'm not fat. And he's real tall, and I'm kind of short. But you notice he looks like me. Also, he has the same dark eyebrows, and he plays with his hands like I do when I perform ... Ward Kimball's animation of the chief is full of the little visual gags that he always threw into his work, oftentimes just to keep himself amused. I especially love seeing how wildly exaggerated the chief's mouth shapes become, yet always manage to work well within the frame of his face.

— Jonathan "Candy" Candido, interview with MousePlanet[3]

Peter Pan and Wendy come across the Indians (who refer to themselves as "Injuns") once arriving in Neverland. Wishing to learn more about them, the Lost Boys ask the Indians three questions: "What Makes the Red Man Red?", "When Did He First Say 'Ugg'?" and "Why Does He Ask You 'How?'" This song is performed by "the big-nosed, guttural Chief character"[6] accompanied by his tribesmen. The Indians pass the peace pipe to the children as they tell their tale.

Writer Kim McLarin of NPR describes it as a "bouncy, drum-heavy song",[7] while the Best of Disney calls it a "labored routine".[8]

Complex notes that in the 21st century, "you can't just ask people 'What Makes the Red Man Red?'", and comments on the Lost Boys' musical number: "Jeez, you racist little monsters, no wonder you're orphans."[9] Althouse said the song has "obvious political correctness problems".[10] AllDay notes that "the one time they break into song" is the only time the Native Americans do not speak in broken English throughout the film.[11] In the article "Caught on Film: The Racist Ghosts of Disney's Past", DivineCaroline writes "The best part of the song is when the singers say that their version is the right one, 'no matter what's been written or said'."[12] Bustle deems the song a "big ol' pile of racism".[13] MediaDiversed says the "horror that was the song" serves to reinforce stereotypes and racist attitudes.[14] The site Great Indian Moments From Pop Culture calls the "insipid tune" the "worst" of the "troublesome Native stereotypes" in Disney's Peter Pan. It notes that "the chorus, with its 'nonsense' words, simply reduces indigenous languages (and semantics) to sheer gibberish".[15]

The Guardian writes that the song is "exactly as alarming to modern eyes and ears as its title suggests".[16] Minnesota Playlist argues that this "infamous" number "upped the racist ante".[17] RantLifestyle notes that "the chief ... is a walking stereotype", and sums up their view of the song by saying "Oh dear".[18] David Martinez, author of American Indians and Film, writes, "My jaw hit the ground when I heard this song and saw these 'redskins' hopping around and making fools of themselves. Granted it was only a cartoon, but it was one in which the animators took the liberty of demeaning an entire race in the name of entertainment."[19][20] The rapper Narcycist references the song in an article about the use of subtle racism in film.[21] The Hollywood Reporter calls the song "infamous".[22] Sasha Houston Brown, Santee Sioux tribe member and adviser to the American Indian Success Program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, says about the scene: "I remember seeing it and not having the skills to understand why it made me feel embarrassed. What does that do to a child's formation of identity, even if it's subliminal and subconscious? The message is, 'You're not human. You're a trend. You're something that can be commodified and bought and sold.'"[23] An opinion article at The Daily Revelle notes the problem of depicting Native Americans in this way: "Disney has always been there to teach proper morals ... from an early start, Americans are fed these ideas, and the topic is never properly taught to correct them ... If you're teaching American history, put the time and effort into respectfully educating others on the extraordinary people that were here first."[24]

TOR argues that the "cartoon war dance" and song go even further than Barrie's play by "stat[ing] that the Indians are not just savages, but sexist savages, who force Wendy to go fetch firewood while the other boys have fun".[25] Wired says the "really awkward scene" features a "thoroughly appalling song, arguably more racist than anything in the notorious Song of the South".[26] The blog Racial Stereotyping notes, "Not only does this video stereotype Native Americans but it also stereotypes women".[27] Banon's Roar writes, "Watching now its [sic] cringe inducing. Every line is some kind of gag about how their skin is red and they make weird noises. Compare it even to the Crows from Dumbo. They were timely caricatures as well, but their jokes were not aimed at humiliating themselves."[28] LeapToad says, "If any other ethnic group were treated this way, this film would have quietly disappeared, much like Song of the South has."[29] Though Hollywood.com names the 1953 film version as the third best Peter Pan adaption, it recommends that viewers "forget that whole 'What Made the Red Man Red?' part, for obvious reasons".[30] Greg Ehrbar of Mouse Tracks says the song "veers precariously into politically incorrect territory".[31]

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