Disney was instilled in me at a
young age. Our yearly family trips consisted of going to Disney World until the
age of fifteen. I remember meeting my princesses and characters, asking them
for their autographs to collect in my Disney book. My brothers and I were
filled with excitement going to the happiest place on Earth that waiting in the
long two hour lines in the 100 degree weather did not bother us because we knew
our wishes were going to come true. Besides visiting my favorite magical place, my childhood room was decorated in Minnie and Mickey Mouse; my bedding, I collected stuff animals when I would go to Disney, my toys etc. And this made me happy!
Growing up I believed in happily ever after and Disney is
where dreams come true. I believed in fairytales by watching princess movies. The
princess were portrayed as women in distressed that needed saving from a
prince. This love story was outlined for me and all through my teen years I
felt like I needed prince charming to come save me and live happily ever after.Disney may have its complexity of creating these narratives
that are stereotypical. In Christensen’s reading she states, “Our society’s
culture industry colonizes their minds and teaches them how to act, live and
dream.” (p.173) then the author introduces the term, “secret education”;
students are being taught that there is a domination of one sex, one race, one
class, or country. Disney films are powerful to a child’s mind. At a young age
our brains are developing and creating these imaginations that these films help
expand their imagination and believing that this is how the real world works.
After reading Christensen chapter, Unlearning the Myths
that Bind Us I agree with her point of views on how the industry is an
influence in youths lives. At this point in their lives they are vulnerable and
will escape to this fantasy world that teaching them something unconventional.
I will say Disney is gradually changing, it is 2023 and finally there is a
black princess being portrayed as one of the popular princess Little Mermaid. I
have seen videos of how young black girls are so excited that they have their
favorite princess look like them. Sadly, there has not been much change of the
distress princess and prince coming to save them storyline. I believe that is
why Frozen was created and open the door that princesses don’t always need to
be saved.This is a YouTube link to the most heart warming reactions to the new Little Mermaid movie:
https://youtu.be/GsSJLK3WW54
Disney is a huge industry and they know how to manipulate
and cultivate there audience. They have the control to make the change to
inspire these young women that they are strong, beautiful and smart to become
leaders.
This is a TikTok link to one of my favorite princess videos: https://www.tiktok.com/@moviebro2002/video/7216310947122826501
I will forever be a Disney gal 💗👑 * I celebrated my 21sth Birthday at Disney World*
Hi Milary! I really enjoyed reading your blog about Disney! you are right with how the cartoons aim to show that one sex, one gender, one country seems to nominate the world. I also agree with how it is good that Disney is changing!
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ReplyDeleteHi Milary! I was thinking the same thing about the new Little Mermaid movie that even though they tried showing more diversity the actual storyline didn't change. I hope that they can change the narrative and include more diversity in future films.
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