The first example is the movie Aladdin. There is a scene with people of color doing physical labor. The song they are singing is about how they are uneducated and being slaved. One line from the song reads "When other folks have gone to bed, we slave until we're almost dead". How is this okay to put in a movie let alone a children's movie?
Another example is whenever a Siamese cat is played, they have slanted eyes, buck teeth and broken English which is a standard stereotype for a Chinese person.
Sexism and how these movies portray women give these young children the wrong idea early in life and sometimes a lasting impression. The women need a man in the end to have a "happy ending". Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, and Bell from Beauty and the Beast are just a few examples of this. Here is a link of Disney movies that give young children the idea on how women should act and be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-57zKcmrT6M .
These women stereotypes are teaching young boys to think this way. Lying, beauty, wealth, fame and charm are just what you need to succeed in getting a women to like you or just want you. Men become superior to women and that is all that matters. The younger a child is, the more influential things become. Ironically, these movies are meant for children at a young age, so these images will definitely make some impact on them.
I really like how you incorporated the lyrics from the song from Aladdin I feel as though that really helped portray the way colored people are depicted in many of these movies.
ReplyDeleteLike you said, I never taught of Disney movies in that manner. Although kids are smart I still do not believe that they read between the story lines like we do. I really like the video you posted.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, very nice blog. Like Marika mentioned above, I too never really taught of Disney movies in that manner. I think reading this article of 'Unlearning the myths that blind us' made most of us, if not all, really have a new perspective on how we see these Disney movies that are geared toward our children. For me, it has been a huge awaking!
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