Disney Present The Rich Cultural History Of My People Wrongly And Inaccurately
Walt Disney, why did you take a magic wand and bibbity bobbity booed the rich and cultural history of people of colour: A mother’s plea to for a more accurate POC representation in popular Disney films.
An Open Letter by Lisa Askuwheteau-Ferrara, a part time mommy blogger for BeyondNativeSkin.org and co-host of Nativeopinion podcast.
To Bob Iger,
It was in second grade. I can still recollect the way in which I positioned myself in front of my aginisi as she untangles the locks of my hair, with my eyes glued to the TV, watching a re-run of Pocahontas. My 7-year old brain struggled to process the message of the movie. Sure, it was a Disney film; sure, it had a catchy musical number, talking willow trees, animals and everything quintessential Disney. And Disney films were meant to be ‘magical’ right? It was not until I took a Cultural Studies course at my alma mater, Brown University that I was able to describe the reasons behind the feeling of shock, sombre, and sadness. Such emotions perfectly encapsulated the offensive and racist nature that continually perpetuates in your movies.
How can the Walt Disney Company portray the rich cultural history of my people wrongly and inaccurately? How
…show more content…
Through this, TWDC reinforces the outdated notion of western culture as superior, while the ‘othered’ culture is seen as inferior. Such case is vehemently evident in Pocahontas whereby the character of John Smith is seen as the white saviour. In your inaccurate version of history, John Smith is seen as the white messiah who bridged the cultural divide between the ‘savages, barely even human’ and the white colonialists. Why did you brew a romance between a grown Pocahontas and John Smith when in reality Pocahontas was in a mere age of eleven? Why did you portray John Smith as a white ally when in reality he terrorised the natives who resisted his colonialist
Neither Wolf Nor Dog Essay
870 Words | 4 PagesAccording to Neither Wolf Nor Dog, it states, “‘I see a lack of concern for the land you claim to revere,’ - ‘ You mean, you see a bunch of shit, right?’ - His candor was liberating. ‘Yes,’” (Nerburn 75). As shown most white people only see Natives as people who keep junk, but if the perspective was shown from both sides people would see its part of their culture.
White Dominance In Marmaduke Temple
166 Words | 1 PagesWe also see elements of white dominance in the text’s bias towards Marmaduke Templeton and Elizabeth. Within the novel Marmaduke Temple serves as a figure who cannot be questioned, and consists of aristocratic tropes often found in the old world. Owning a lot of land and having a well educated daughter, he embodies the best of society, one without any struggle. Contrastingly, the description of slaves and Indians within this novel points to their lower status in society. In chapter sixteen we see the depiction of Abraham Freeborn, “The Black,” exhibit itself in obvious ways, “Mottled with large brown spots...while his enormous lips gradually compressed around two rows of ivory..”
Address To John Smith Analysis
835 Words | 4 PagesMost likely, one has heard about the story of Pocahontas and John Smith. However, John Smith was not as loving and kind as he was portrayed. In the letter Address to Captain Smith, the speaker, Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas’ father, takes a condescending tone and addresses to the English settlers, especially John Smith, how the chief’s generous hospitality has not been appreciated. Literary devices such as rhetorical questions, antithesis, and repetition, diction, and pathos and ethos are exercised by Chief Powhatan to address his purpose and produce it as impactful as fully possible.
Summary: A Genealogy Of Modern Racism
703 Words | 3 PagesIn the essay, “A Genealogy of Modern Racism”, the author Dr. Cornel West discusses racism in depth, while conveying why whites feel this sense of superiority. We learn through his discussion that whites have been forced to treat black harshly due to the knowledge that was given to them about the aesthetics of beauty and civility. This knowledge that was bestowed on the whites in the modern West, taught them that they were superior to all races tat did not emulate the norms of whites. According to Dr. West the very idea that blacks were even human beings is a concept that was a “relatively new discovery of the modern West”, and that equality of beauty, culture, and intellect in blacks remains problematic and controversial in intellectual circles
Racism In The Princess And The Frog
971 Words | 4 PagesThe disturbing truth emerges that our history is so filled with racism, that it has caused Disney to have a lack of emphasis on racial issues in films such as
Pocahontas Rhetorical Analysis
644 Words | 3 PagesPocahontas Assignment 1. Why does Pewewardy believe that misrepresentation of American Indians in films can be harmful to this community? Pewewardy stresses the damaging effects that stereotypes Native Americans face in films pose to the children of Native American communities. These children see themselves as less than human not only thanks to films, but also because of the image of the Native American being used as mascots and logos.
Examples Of Stereotypes In The Princess And The Frog
1155 Words | 5 PagesAs one of the most influential entertainment producers, Disney dominates the global market for ages attracting the countless audience around the world. However, Disney’s most famous “‘princess’ fairy tale stories” (Barker, 2010, p. 492) are criticized for racism and sexism. In 2007, Disney confirmed production of the film, The Princess and the Frog, featuring the first African-American Disney princess, Tiana. For Disney this film was the response to the accusation of racism and sexism represented in its animation. Also, it was filled with African American parents’ anticipation and excitement who longed for a non-stereotypical black woman on the screen (Breaux, 2010, p. 399).
Sociological Analysis Of The Movie Crash
1542 Words | 7 PagesThis movie did a great job of showing how certain society’s work, races such as African Americans, Hispanics, and Persians/Asians were being treated wrong in the movie, and it displays the sociological concepts.
Examples Of Racism In Aladdin
1067 Words | 5 PagesDisney’s portrayal of culture and race in their fairy-tale love stories had often led to backlash and criticism due to racist elements. It’s not a new concept the Disney films have poorly represented the experiences of people of color. As far as Disney Princesses are concerned, the women of color tend to be far less prominent than their Caucasian counterparts. The movie Aladdin (1992) showcases an Arabian princess Jasmine, the first women of color among the Disney princesses. They marketed the movie to people “of all races” devising “Brown” as a monolith to represent all Middle Eastern, South Asian, Black and Latin experiences, which obviously came with some heavy backlash as it shows negative stereotypical imagery and lyrics.
Salt Of The Earth Film Analysis
1193 Words | 5 PagesI chose this film because it showed how hard the union workers and families worked in fighting racial injustices, and because it inspired myself to move forward with strong ideologies and pride. 2. Stereotyping in mass media was an important concern of Chicana/o media activists because it imprinted a demeaning label by only casting Chicana/o actors with "minor roles: villains, sidekicks, temptresses, where their main function is to provide the protagonists, typically a handsome white
Analysis Of Hairspray
1065 Words | 5 PagesI enjoyed the comical and lighthearted dancing and singing approach the characters had to the somber situations around them. Watching this few years later and after taking a Text and Meaning course, I was struck at the sheer amount of things that stood out. The Negroes were declared “other”. In post colonialist theory, declaring one race “other” marginalizes them and stresses on how
The Negative Aspects Of Disney Princesses In Disney
1025 Words | 5 PagesPeople of all ages throughout the years are very familiar with the concept of Disney movies. Some notable classics of Disney are “Beauty and the Beast” which was released in 1991 and “The Little Mermaid” which was released in 1989. Among the children, the Disney princesses left a good impression on them like Cinderella from “Cinderella”, Pocahontas from “Pocahontas”, and Mulan from “Mulan”. However, many believe that Disney movies serve as a good influence to young audiences but people should know that Disney also has its flaws. Disney have showed negative portrayals of Disney princesses in their films especially when it comes to their usual unattainable beauty ideal and portraying their princesses as inferior to men.
Disney And Disney's Impact On The Spread Of Cultures
717 Words | 3 PagesCultures are spread through globalisation through knowledge, ideas, clothing, beliefs, values, languages, food and movies. When contact occurs between cultures, all ideas are spread and transferred which has become easier nowadays than in the past because fewer people were to able to travel and experience the rest of the world. Disney, Disney princesses especially, has had a big impact on the spread of cultures from Saudi Arabia 's Aladdin to Germany 's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves to China 's Mulan. Not only has Disney spread the culture of beliefs and values, most children from all around the world who has watched a Disney princess original would be able to identify the traditional dresses such as the Qipao from China in Mulan. Their movies have also given children a way to apprehend various styles of cultures.
Informative Speech On Walt Disney
378 Words | 2 PagesDoes hearing the tagline “The Happiest place on earth” takes you on a memory lane of the very first day at Disneyland? The Walt Disney Company, was a dream of the most famous name in the animation industry and the creator of Mickey Mouse, Walt Elias Disney and now the company has estimated net worth of an about 36 billion dollars. (Funamentals n.d.) The company has been running from 1923 till current and I have decided to take the first 43 years (1923 to 1966) in consideration because I wish to tell the reader how the company went from Good to Great under the supervision of Walt Elias Disney.
Mean Ladies Transgendered Villains In Disney Films Analysis
524 Words | 3 PagesAmanda Putnam’s essay, “Mean Ladies: Transgendered Villains in Disney Films”, is a compelling piece on gender portrayal and views in Disney films. Putnam opened the essay with a personal anecdote about her daughter. Her daughter wanted a Disney movie without a “mean lady”, as in most Disney films the villains are scary, evil women. The real life evidence strengthened her claim that children are noticing the characterization of female villains in Disney films. The antidote was brought fill circle when she referred back to her daughter in the final paragraphs of her essay.
More about Disney Present The Rich Cultural History Of My People Wrongly And Inaccurately
Neither Wolf Nor Dog Essay
870 Words | 4 PagesWhite Dominance In Marmaduke Temple
166 Words | 1 PagesAddress To John Smith Analysis
835 Words | 4 PagesSummary: A Genealogy Of Modern Racism
703 Words | 3 PagesRacism In The Princess And The Frog
971 Words | 4 PagesPocahontas Rhetorical Analysis
644 Words | 3 PagesExamples Of Stereotypes In The Princess And The Frog
1155 Words | 5 PagesSociological Analysis Of The Movie Crash
1542 Words | 7 PagesExamples Of Racism In Aladdin
1067 Words | 5 PagesSalt Of The Earth Film Analysis
1193 Words | 5 PagesAnalysis Of Hairspray
1065 Words | 5 PagesThe Negative Aspects Of Disney Princesses In Disney
1025 Words | 5 PagesDisney And Disney's Impact On The Spread Of Cultures
717 Words | 3 PagesInformative Speech On Walt Disney
378 Words | 2 PagesMean Ladies Transgendered Villains In Disney Films Analysis
524 Words | 3 Pages