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Now I am not saying that these stereotypes are not present, but I am saying that you do not notice them as a child. It takes an adult to see the negatives in these films. I can remember watching them as a child, and never once did I think to myself 'the bad guy has the voice of a black man.' That never occurred to me and in fact I couldn't tell the difference until my late teens or early twenties.
But I did learn things from Disney films both as a child and as an adult.
The Jungle Book
Child Me: learned that nature was a beautiful but dangerous
place.
Adult Me: learned that in life there are always second chances.
Aladdin
Child Me: learned that if you are always yourself, someone will
love you for it.
Adult Me: learned that if you believe you can make a difference,
you will.
The Lion King
Child Me: learned that one person can make all the difference.Adult Me: learned that after the loss of a loved one, life may
seem like it is over, but after the proper grieving
period, life will go on and you will find yourself
again.
Pocahontas
Child Me: learned that nature is more wondrous and powerful
than we can imagine and it should be respected and cared for.
Adult Me: learned that, although the trees don't really talk to you, you can still have a relationship
with nature that is refreshing and surprising. (And also that the history is not always
solid in Disney films.)
The Emperor's New Groove
Child Me: learned that if you are selfish no one will like you.
Adult Me: learned that if you can live in harmony with those around you, you will live the richest
life.
Peter Pan
Child Me: learned that you don't need to be an adult to care for those around you, like Peter cared
for the lost boys.
Adult Me: learned that I should never take anything too seriously and should always remember to
have a little fun.
101 Dalmatians
Child Me: learned that some people really are just bad people.
Adult Me: learned that family is whom you make it.
And last but not least
Lady and The Tramp and The Aristocats....because let's face it, they were almost the same story.
Child Me: learned that love can be surprising.
Adult Me: learned that love can be found in the most unlikely of places.
I'm sure there were many others, but for now, I suppose this shows what is seen through the eyes of someone who was enjoying the films for what they were and not looking for something negative. So what did you learn from Disney?
"Old Yeller"; 1957
ReplyDeleteChild Me: Sad story of love and loss, a bond between a kid and his dog,sometimes in life, although not easy, you just need to do what you need to do.
Adult Me: Sometimes in life, need to exercise restraint without just doing what you feel necessary and consider all the implications. Cant just go shooting sick dogs to put them out of their misery. These days, SPCA/lawers/law enforcement/politicians, etc, etc, etc and whole slew of other groups will make it their goal to make your life difficult.
"The Love Bug"; 1968
Child Me: Touching story of cute, talking car that knows how to swim on water. I wanna get a bug when I grow up!!!
Adult Me: Cars really aren't that cute, and when they speak to ya usually means it's gonna end up costing a bunch to repair. Also, along with actually speaking (well, maybe some do now...) car's haven't figured out how to swim, yet. Not even "bugs." And, when in water those former mentioned groups that like to make life difficult and drain even more money outta ya get real interested. Not to mention the costs associated with environment cleanup/remediation, department of environmental protection mingling, auto towing services, insurance policies, inspections, keeping up with nextdoor Jones',Co2 emissions, increasing fuel costs, etc, etc, etc. YUK!!!
"The Wizard of Oz"; 1939 (perhaps not Disney; oh well...sue me!)
Child Me: Colorful, interesting story about poor people trying to help each other with things they'd like to have when they are all down on their luck. In the end they are all happy and ending is good.
Adult Me: Politically charged satire regarding a difficult period in time post Great Depression.
Dorthy - simple, naive and young. Representative of the American people taken advantage of and uprooted by the tornado/great depression.
Tin Man - strong, without heart. Representative of American industry, company/union tensions.
Lion - cowardly, indecisive. Representative of American politicians and politics in general.
Tornado - uprooted the life of Dorthy. Representative of the Great Depression itself.
Story - characters uprooted by tornado/depression with entire way of life changed. Trying to find there way back to normal life by way of "golden road" traveled to "emerald city" with Dorthy dancing in her silver slippers the entire time. Representative of American people trying to find way to prosperity after economic depression while dealing with labor/union problems, lack of political backbone, work and labor difficulties etc, etc, etc...Perhaps, a good time now to revisit this great American classic???