Unquestionably, THE BIRTH OF A NATION is a treasured artifact of film-making and a vital historical example of the first major film of the Silent Era. It exemplifies the genius of director D.W. Griffith and Cinematographer Billy Bitzer, it proved that an epic film could compete with the Theatre for the public dollar, and it features techniques that are still admired and employed today.

However, THE BIRTH OF A NATION is a virtual love song to the Ku Klux Klan. “The Little Colonel” who founds the Klan is seen as a hero, and Klansmen are depicted as saviors of their southern “nation” from the ravages of the Reconstruction. Moreover, African Americans (many of whom were played by white actors in blackface) are seen as comically stupid and inane or as villainous monsters.

So what do we do about THE BIRTH OF A NATION? The Disney Company had a solution to SONG OF THE SOUTH, a film that many consider too racist for modernviewing—they removed it from circulation and relegated it to their vaults, to be released to the public at a later date—if at all.   Do we keep THE BIRTH OF A NATION as a historical artifact, do we remove it from public view, or do we employ a compromise solution? Give reasons for your choice.