Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer is a holiday classic we love and even the song plays throughout the festive season.
However, it is currently facing controversy as some people, those who find joy in making criticisms, claim the film is problematic on many accounts ranging from homophobia, marginalization, and racism, the Huffington Post reported.
Many took to Twitter and shared what problems they’ve found, with one labeling Santa ‘a bigoted exploitative prick.’
Viewers said that they saw a pattern of shaming and bullying throughout the film. For instance, Rudolph’s father often tells the baby reindeer to hide his shiny nose by covering it up. The pattern then went on for most of the cartoon and viewers said that the school coach promotes bullying of Rudolph.
“Has anyone else noticed that within the first five minutes of #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer two characters get bullied?” one Twitter user wrote.
“Yearly reminder that #Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a parable on racism & homophobia w/Santa as a bigoted exploitative prick. The exploitative use of elves, which is problematic in the legend of Santa Clause, is prevalent in the stop motion classic as well,” another tweeted.
“Oh no. It’s #RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer I don’t have strength to watch this again. Those poor elves. That bully with the whip. Abusive deer. Dentist shaming. Unloved toys. It’s too much,” someone else wrote.
Of course, many defended the classic film, with one tweeting: “THIS WAS THE EARLY 60’d DIFF TIME/ CULTURE! THE POINT WAS TO OVER COME BULLYING AND ACCEPT YOURSELF NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS THOUGHT AND HE GAINED CONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF AND BECAME THE STAR REINDEER AND EVERYONE PUT HIS DIFFERENCE TO THE SIDE AND ACCEPTED HIM FOR WHO HE WAS! STOP.”
Another said: “Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t the whole point of the story to empathize with the marginalized?”
A third commented: “The whole point of the show was to teach tolerance, showcasing that the actions of the adults and other reindeer were wrong. What is with people these days?”
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Replaced!