Racial Stereotyping in Disney's Animated Films (Part 2)

In the United States, the dominant racial group has formed countless stereotypes and ideologies about racial minority groups. Politicians, scientists, and writers have traditionally promoted the idea that blacks and other racial groups are inherently inferior to whites. Modern American thinkers rarely make blatant claims that minorities are inferior, but one way that the deep-seeded racial fears and ideologies are still transmitted is through film. This is especially true in animation, where greater creative and artistic license can be taken with stories. While it would be wrong and historically ignorant to blame major media corporations like Disney for creating these fears, ideologies, and stereotypes, it could be said that they are largely responsible for the communication and perpetuation of these ideas.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Walt
• Disney
• Dumbo
• Crows
• Workers
• King
• Louie
• Peter
• Pan
• Red
• Man
• Oliver
• and
• Company
• Aladdin
• Lion
• Princess
• the
• Frog
• Race
• Racism
• Ethnic
• Ethnicity
• Group
• Origin
• People
• Representation
• Stereotypes
• Cartoon
• Banned
• Black
• White
• Asian
• Latino
• Mexican
• Native
• American
• Middle
• Eastern
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• Bias
• Anglo
• Western
• Sociology
• Analysis
• Critical
• Film
• Perspective
• Animated

[CrazyCheeseMagee]

One glaring problem. While there were definitely some racially insensitive moments in the films of the 80s and 90s, you can't just jump from The Lion King in the 90s to Dumbo in the 40s. Those were two completely different times.

Yes, racism is still a huge problem in America, but it's not quite as pervasive and strong (key word: strong) as it was in the 40s with DE JURE segregation based on race rather than DE FACTO segregation possibly based more on class now.

[evanwoodson]

@CrazyCheeseMagee The purpose was to show that Disney has had problems with racial stereotypes and racism since the beginning, and that those problems haven't gone away. I agree that racism isn't nearly as strong as it was. But racial stereotypes still affect the way we think, and Disney is as guilty as anyone for perpetuating them.

[CrazyCheeseMagee]

@evanwoodson So it was meant as a closing statement? But I still think racism is a huge problem in America. Like with the conviction and eventual execution of Troy Davis. 7 of the 9 witnesses who gave testimony against him recanted their statements.

In fact, the civil rights leader Michelle Alexander wrote an entire book about racism in the prison system called The New Jim Crow.

[evanwoodson]

@CrazyCheeseMagee No, the purpose of the whole thing was to show how Disney has historically struggled with racism and racial stereotypes.

[fmluver503]

Ok, I understand and get the stereotypes that you have pointed out. But, I believe that the song from dumbo that you mention at the end is probably also a comment on circus folk.

[dantotz85]

@ChachouMiaou First off, don't insult my intelligence. Secondly, I'm not ignorant at all, but the movies are meant to be entertaining, that's it!!!!! It's people like this that this country is full of people who do nothing but complain about things that are really not important to complain about. Also, what do you mean by, "It is entertainment but it's also a lot more than that"

[ChachouMiaou]

@monalisamyheart Yes of course that's a very difficult issue, whether you can make people interested in a story without using stereotypes... Still, when they are harmful, the question really must be raised. I would be considered as White, so I am not directly slapped in the face by racist stereotypes, but as a modern woman, watching a movie like "Snow White" can be incredibly irritating... even though I love other aspects of the movie.

[ChachouMiaou]

@Moviefan2k4 Well, don't you think that some people like Jackie Chan contributed to the stereotyping of Chinese men? Obviously, you will always find actors from minorities who are willing to portray stereotypical characters. Either because they don't realize it, or because they don't care and just want to become famous even if that means damaging the image of the ethnic group they belong to. I mean, they could find a Black girl to be Prissy in Gone with the Wind...

[ChachouMiaou]

@dantotz85 What is pathetic is how many people are unable to understand that popular culture is NOT just entertainment. You may not like thinking about things and digging deeper, but do not dismiss those who do. Living in blissful ignorance is a choice, but I personally don't think it's the best choice to make. Popular culture and the stereotypes it conveys have a huge impact on people's minds and how they view other people. It is entertainment but it's also a lot more than that.

[ChachouMiaou]

@2010topdog No, that's not reading too much into the movies. The choice of accents in Disney is often linked to stereotypes and not at all to where the characters are supposed to be from. That's why you will find heroes like Aladdin who look and sound very American (modelled after Tom Cruise!), while Jafar looks very "ethnic" and has a British accent (like most villains), and only the minor characters have an Arabic accent. That's just one example among others.

[2010topdog]

ppl do read too much into these movies. im white, and i grew up on alot of these movies. dumbo, lion king, alladin, uh, i remember oliver's company. it never affected me

hyenas, lions live in africa...no body says shit bout the animals in snow white or the beast in beauty and the beasttalking white

[dantotz85]

OMFG seriously....y'all read way to much into these movies.....they are cartoons ment for entertainment but like usual people gotta have shit to say about it.....it's pathetic how people are

[sonichog4]

@evanwoodson I agree with everything in this video. I mean Looney Toons was very racist as well but they did it for comedy purposes so they didnt mean it. But Disney!? No i hate disney they do it because its how they feel.

[sonichog4]

I cant stand Disney.