An HBO Max spokesperson says “Gone With the Wind” will eventually return to the platform with a discussion about its historical context and a denouncement of its racist depictions.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/hbo-max-temporarily-removes-gone-with-the-wind-from-library/ar-BB15gYzQ?ocid=spartan-ntp-feeds#image=1

“’Gone With The Wind’ is a product of its time and depicts some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that have, unfortunately, been commonplace in American society. These racist depictions were wrong then and are wrong today, and we felt that to keep this title up without an explanation and a denouncement of those depictions would be irresponsible,” an HBO Max spokesperson told Variety. “These depictions are certainly counter to WarnerMedia’s values, so when we return the film to HBO Max, it will return with a  discussion of its historical context and a denouncement of those very depictions, but will be presented as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed. If we are to create a more just, equitable and inclusive future, we must first acknowledge and understand our history.”

The removal comes after a Los Angeles Times op-ed written by “12 Years a Slave” screenwriter John Ridley called for the film to be taken down as it perpetuates racial stereotypes and glorifies the antebellum South.