Giroux chooses to write about Disney and the underlying messages it has. He introduces the topic by talking about his children, and how they watch Disney movies religiously. Absolutely every child in America owns at least one Disney production. Walt Disney Studios has created the squeaky clean image of innocence and youth. It creates wholesome themes such as the “most perfect place on earth” where everyone is happy and all is well. Giroux talks about how many critics don’t talk about Disney because they are “children’s films” and aren’t to be taken seriously. But he does. He talks about how different Disney movies and how successful they have been, not only on the big screen but with their merchandise and promotions as well. This shows the impact on children’s lives because of the constant contact to these things. Giroux exposes the dark side of Disney. There are stereotypes and prejudices within the movies. There are rigid gender roles in which the women are subordinate to men, racism in which the light or more American looking characters are the “good guys’, and antidemocratic ideals. This is teaching our youth from a very young age that this is what is accepted and what is expected. Giroux concludes by saying that these things are ignored by our society. He wants these cultural values to be taken seriously and for parents to be more aware of what their children are watching.
Parents should be aware of what their children are watching, but in reality, the "negative subliminal messages" in Disney movies (if there even are any)go right over the heads of young children. They watch the movies purely for entertainment, not to learn about society's expectations or prejudices.
ReplyDeleteI think Giroux points out all of these arguments, however, I do not agree with them. I can see how adults could find the sexism and racism that may be hidden in the movies, such as the gender roles Danielle mentioned or the "good guys" looking more American, but Disney movies weren't meant for adults. Children, on the other hand, do not pick up on the subtle remarks. If every child who watched a Disney movie picked up on the the racism and sexism Giroux says is in the films, every child would be sexist/racist, and I do not believe that the billions of children who watched Disney are all sexist and racist.
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