Song of the North
Being an avid Disney freak, one of my favorite stories is Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit's Song of the South. The coinciding attraction at Disneyland, Splash Mountain, is one of my favorite things in the whole world on which to ride. Uncle Remus was the Storyteller and the nurturer to many children in his area of Georgia. His stories always had an exploding theme and great symbolism coming from slave narrative and experience from the Trickster Oral traditions. Of course now the stories are viewed by African Americans as glorification of slavery, and rightly so. Slavery was a tragic era, and in any case should never be made into light.
Even though this is evident, the story has a deep tie with nature, and Disney wanted to celebrate bring these oral traditions to life. It is apparent that Disney did not have any purposeful racist intention. As an educator myself, I do realize the glorification of the reconstruction era is a racist thing, but I respect the stories as told by the slaves as their oral traditions. The tales are chock full of allegory and deep meaning for African Americans.
When Walt Disney made Song of the South (authored by Joel Chandler Harris who adapted slave folk tales), he presented stories the way slaves told them. The ever mystical/ mythical Uncle Remus was brought to the screen with beautiful songs and animation. The movie and stories represent a horrible time for African Americans everywhere. Indeed I do not condone this type of story presentted, but Disney land has the ride Splash Mountain...whihc soley reminds me of one place ; The Ranch.
The Ranch is not in the South, but the resemblance to the environment is uncanny. First we have many of the same animals and beautiful flora and fauna. If there were to be a story weaver here on Todd Ranch, I guess it would be my father first, then me. Growing up, he would always have a wonderful story to tell. It makes me such a happy adult recalling my father's love and creative genius. I am a very lucky woman to have had a father who acquired this Ranch, and loved his daughter. He and my mother would bring me to Disneyland often (when we lived in Orange County for two years) between the ages of 1-3 years. I delighted in the magic with my parents. Very fun for a kid indeed. My father however, could only stand this kind of urban habitiat for a short time. Back to Humboldt County is where we needed to go.
My father found it vital that I have a deep relationship with nature, Being a Wildlife Biologist, his love of nature and the outdoors was religious to him. He instilled in me a an awe and revery of our natural world very early on. He gave me information on of plant names and functions, as well as animal classifications and relationships. He didn't do this by making me read books on it or quizzing me weekly. He brought me out into these worlds for me to PLAY in....and we all know children learn best by playing and attaching meaning to what they learn.. Some of his tales were continuations of stories already known to me, and he would weave in information about our forests and animals. Stories involving toads, red tailed hawks, trout, civet cats. Native lore about firecracker flower and columbine. Why Doug firs are different than Spruces. Himalayan Berries vs. California. As an adult, hearing Uncle Remus' tales, reminded me of my sweet Daddy and his magical teaching style.
I really didn't begin comparing the sweet tales of Uncle Remus' South to our little place on the South Fork until I returned to Disneyland as an adult. With my four year old daughter Bella in tow, I was a little more than over excited to have returned to Disneyland with my child. To experience all of the fantasy, adventure, potential of tomorrow, and frontiers that Disneyland holds. Yes it's corporate, yes, they are materialistic and commercial. But, Walt Disney had one thing in his philosophy that is true and made of pure love and goodness: Happiness and learning are magical. When I returned to this Happy Place, the sights, sounds, and smells overwhelmed my nostalgic soul. It was emotional and overwhelming for me.
Ride after ride we went, having so much fun. Laughter and joy were the threads of our existence. Then we reached Adventureland and we were more than eager to go for Splash Mountain.
We hurriedly thrust ourselves into our fake log. My husband, child and I prepared for the sensory overload on which we were about to embark. Ascending the faux river up through the mine shaft and gently, but creakily placed into the river's main flow. Around the river bend to Brer Bear's cave...where one hears his heavy snore. Then our first descent, the appetizer to thrills, Slip'n Falls. "Weeeeeeyeeeeahhh!". My daughter, (remember age four)is now concerned, but giggly at the same time. I kept thinking, "This looks like our river, our woods, only not as beautiful, of course..." We rush on in our log down into the the forests of the South along the "river".
We see Brer Fox and Brer Rabbit: Fox trying to get him (representing the slave owner symbolically), Rabbit talking Turtle into travelin' on an adventure. Brer rabbit wanting to leave his home
We slip fast and hilly into the rainbow caves, hea ring about the Laughin' Place, and how we really shouldn't go there. We are then witness to Mother Possom singing about the hopeful return of Brer Rabbit, and how his Momma is suffering. Then in all suspense we see Brer Rabbit trapped in honey, and Fox gettin' ready to feast upon him...But Rabbit is slick and smart and BEGS Fox, "Please don't throw me into that Briar patch fox...Anything but that!" The vultures with their potent sultry voices say to us in the log, "Everybody's got a Laughin' Place...Maybe this one's yours!" Suddenly with cracks and clicks, our log ascends the big, steep finale of a hill. Oh dear we're going up, up, up...Laughin' Place? Will the log make it down? Our adrenaline and butterflies tell us we shouldn't like this, yet, here we are. Up, up, up, up ,creak, click, clack Oh dear We are very high at the top and.......SCREAM!!!!! Down in a rush, through the water at the end of the quick descent. "Whoohoo!" Around the corner we are in a serene calm river again, and we enter Zippety-Doo-Da...chickens, all animals singing and celebrating Rabbit's happy return, and life's good balance in general. Rabbit's Lesson? You might just find what you were looking for all along, right at home. I couldn't help but revere in our own magical home.
It hit me right there. Yes, Disneyland is oodles of touron fun, but, I have all of these lands right here at home, here at The Ranch. We have Pirate Rock, Mermaid Cove, Miner's Bend, Splash Mountain Rock (where we climb and say the classic lines from the ride right before we jump off), Fairy Falls, Magic Kingdom Beach, and so many other lands of magic. I thank my Dad for providing me with the imaginative ability to create such happy Laughin' Places here on the Ranch.
Just the other day as I gazed off the porch to the southern end of the pasture, I caught a glimpse of him. Our little own Brer Rabbit. Or maybe it was Peter waiting for Squirrel Nutkin to rouse up some trouble. Either way, We have it all, here at home.
No comments:
Post a Comment