This essay by
Giroux was very interesting, but I find some of his claims hard to believe. I agree with the fact the Disney trademarks innocence by calling
themselves the "magic kingdom" and "the happiest place on earth". The rest of his
arguments seem kind of pointless. As a kid, I never noticed any sex or race discrimination. I think I have probably watched all the movies he talked about at least 3 times. They have not altered my views at all. The
Disney movies a purely made for the entertainment of children and
that's exactly what children see them as. Maybe there are hidden messages in the movies, but only adults will be able to notice them.
It's true, Disney movies were only meant to entertain. Little kids will never understand the issues that go along with racism, sexism and corruption because they don't know what that means. I, as a 17 year old, still watch Disney movies on occasion, but I have never once thought that The Lion King was racist. Disney may be taking over the country with over-advertising Disney, but that is because America is letting it happen. Mostly because there is nothing wrong with Disney spreading joy all over the country.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that kids do not knowingly pick up on the sexism and racism Giroux says are hidden in the Disney films. While children may subconsciously pick up on a some of them, I think children who watch Disney films are watching the movie more for the happy ending and not analyzing them such as Giroux did. I never noticed any sort of sexism or racism, and I watched the Disney movies when I was young, when my two brothers and then two sisters were born. I also think Giroux becomes repetitious in argument, just bring in the same examples, The Lion King, Beauty and The Beast, over and over. As Cameron said, I think this makes his claims hard to believe.
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