Communication & Disney

What do Disney movies say to you?? Many critics have centered Disney out for its feminist & racists undertones & stereotypes

Feminist Issues The female characters are one of two things:

Damsel in Distress Young women are natural-born happy homemakers who lie in a state of suspended animation until a man gives them a life They are weak & vulnerable They must have a man to complete their life

Villain Older women are the enemy, especially if they seek power. They are conniving, emotionless & irrational No husbands

Disney HAS attempted to create two ‘empowered woman’ characters (Pocahontas & Mulan), however, both failed to get the message across as both are fighting for power for a man, rather then themselves. The Character of Belle, in Beauty & the Beast tried to break the mold, until she began apologizing for everything she did, from making the beast mad to the imprisonment of her father.

The Female characters are also in their pre- teen to teenage years & are out to gain the love of a man so they can became ‘whole’

A closer look at The little Mermaid Ariel wears a string bikini top made from a couple of sea shells As innocent, wide-eyed and flipper- tailed as she is, there is something distinctly sexy about her too Ariel is looking for a romantic solution to the yearning in her heart Ariel will do anything to have the hansom prince fall in love with her - even disobeying her father & making a bargain with the devil.

Ariel is given a set of shapely legs, but has her voice taken away - she is is literally silenced by her desperate need for a male approval “shut up & be beautiful” is what the movie seems to be telling young girls Ariel eventually gets her voice back & gets the guy - however, she is forced to leave her family & friends & ends up as a woman without a social support system, investing her entire life in a romance!

Racists Issues Every female main character had been white (with the exception of Jasmine, who is a British accent)

The Princess & the Frog Disney is about to release their newest movie, who’s main character is Disney’s FIRST black princess However, when Disney first announced the creation of the movie, a number of issues of racism were raised. To begin with, the name of the princess came under fire after many Black activists suggested that the Princess’ name ‘Maddy’, was to close to Mammy

Maddy or Tiana?? To begin with, the name of the princess came under fire after many Black activists suggested that the Princess’ name ‘Maddy’, was to close to Mammy (a term used up until the early 21st century which stereotype black women as homely & matronly) In response - Disney changed the name to Tiana

The Princess & the Frog continued…. Tiana’s job? – a chambermaid to a white woman Cute fairy Godmother in a pretty dress?? –Nope! She has a voodoo priestess How about the Prince??? –Oh, he’s white

Negative portrayal of Native Americans/First Nations Peter Pan named “pale face” Red Man song The ‘red man’ in peter pan say “how”, “ugg” & “thirst for knowledge”. He gets his colour for ‘being kissed by a girl & blushing’

Aladdin The Opening music sequence from Aladdin gives the impression of Arabian Night Middle East a a barren wasteland where the justice system runs on a clear & simple limb-removal policyArabian Night Aladdin Vs Jafar’s appearance

The Little Mermaid A Jamaican-sounding crab teaches Ariel that life is better "Under the Sea," because underwater you don't have to get a job. Under the Sea Check out a “the duke of Soul” or the “black fish”

Jungle Book In 1967, Disney decides to portray African-American’s as monkeys. All animals in the jungle speak in proper British accents. Except, of course, for the jive-talking, gibberish-spouting monkeys who desperately want to become "real people?" I wanna be like you

The Lion King Write down examples of stereotypes while watching the movie The Little Mermaid Why does Disney use these ideas/stereotypes in their movies? Should these messages be allowed? Do these messages affect children? In what way?