HBO Max temporarily pulls 'Gone With The Wind' due to ongoing unrest, protests

HBO Max has temporarily pulled the film "Gone with the Wind" from its catalog, due to the ongoing unrest and protests.

News 12 Staff

Jun 10, 2020, 4:50 PM

Updated 1,660 days ago

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HBO Max has temporarily pulled the film "Gone with the Wind" from its catalog, due to the ongoing unrest and protests.
A spokesperson for the streaming service says the movie is a product of its time and depicts racial prejudices - commonplace in American society.
The 1939 film is considered a classic, but is also criticized for its portrayal of slavery and African Americans.
A spokesperson for HBO Max says when the film returns to HBO Max, it will do so with a "discussion of its historical context and a denouncement of those very depictions."
A News 12 Long Island poll asking if viewers agreed with the decision garnered an overwhelming "no," with over 80% saying the movie should stay up as is.
The reality TV show "Cops" was also canceled by the Paramount Network this week. The show first aired in 1989 on Fox.
Even before the protests, some media companies have moved in a similar direction. Disney Plus has warnings about some of its content, including "Dumbo," which alerts viewers of outdated cultural depictions.
Journalist and activist Miya Jones says these changes show the power of protest.
"When we all come together and unite as one, people will listen, people will make these changes," says Jones.
But conservative David Zere is calling this an attempt to erase our nation's history.
"I think it's a very slippery slope. 'Gone With the Wind' is one of the greatest movies ever made," says Zere, of the Setauket Patriots. "It's not a racial thing. I think it's very dangerous. Come on, Dumbo, Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd? This is out of control."