The Walt Disney Co. said it will alter some lyrics of a song in the Oscar-winning animated feature "Aladdin," but Arab-American activists who labeled the movie racist said the studio didn't go far enough.
Changes in the song were announced Friday after Disney received permission from the estate of the late lyricist Howard Ashman and his collaborator, composer Alan Menken.Two lines in film's opening song, "Arabian Nights," were changed to delete references to the threat of mutilation by Arabs.
Originally, the lines read:
"Oh, I come from a land
From a faraway place
Where the caravan camels roam.
Where they cut off your ear
If they don't like your face
It's barbaric, but hey, it's home."
The fourth and fifth lines were replaced with lyrics that describe the desert climate and geography.
Activists said they still are angry because Disney left in place the third line's use of the word "barbaric."
Albert Mokhiber, president of the anti-discrimination committee, said the committee will continue to press Disney to remove the word and to meet with Disney Chairman Michael Eisner.
The new lyrics will be heard in the home video version of the animated movie, which will be released Oct. 1, and in future theatrical releases of "Aladdin."