If It Is Meant To Be, It is Meant To Be...

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The last thing I want to wrap up before I stop writing for a while is media codes and the affect they have on us. Everyone interprets media differently and this is why many of us are very naive to the media. There are three different codes about media which I have learned from my media class. The media can be movies, music, etc. 

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Dominant-Hegemonic code is when a person enjoys the media and doesn't see or recognize the negative message being portrayed or said in the media. Negotiated code is you enjoy the media, but you do see what negative message is, yet you still enjoy it. The last one is oppositional code were you are damage by the negative message, such as if you were watching Dumbo you would stop watching it because you would notice the racial discrimination. 

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These are all important codes to see how people or we react to certain media. As you continue with being involved and influenced with media, please keep these codes in mind. If you have a discussion with others, they will have different interpretations than you. I think this is quite interesting because some people see things very transparent, not with flaws especially media. I tend to see things flawed a lot, so I ruin things for my friends. As a reader, I will let you know of my future plans about this blog.

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Future is yet to be told, if you (the readers), want me to write more about Disney and the movies let me know and I will. Perhaps, I will do movie reviews! I will write when I can and when I find a very alerting topic.  I will try to continue, no promises. I hope all of you enjoyed this blog and reading it. I tried to make it a fun roller-coaster or a yummy cake to slice through to find what is on the inside. 

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As a blogger, I have learned to have fun and be fearless with your writing. Sometimes I hold back what I want to write, but this time I forcefully addressed what I wanted to state. Blogging is always so interesting because you learning different opinions and viewpoints. Blogging and being a blogger is definitely a learning experience, which I extremely enjoy writing and making sure it went perfectly.  

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I definitely enjoyed all of my readers company. Thank you so much, I really appreciate the feedback. If there is anything specific you would like me to talk about, I will gladly take the offer to do so. Thank you once again and take care. <3 

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Too Much Of Anything Isn't Good.

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As I continue writing more of Disney, I would like to address that this blog post is fairly related to the posts below. This post will be about many things I have learned from Disney Corporation. 

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What comes to your mind when you think Disney? Walt Disney? Disneyland? Movies? Fairy tales? Mickey and Minnie Mouse? Princesses? What if I told you Disney has more than just those things? Disney has about 409 movies according to a research group called The Numbers. 409 movies! That is a lot of movies and a lot of messages being provided to different age groups as well as different ethnicities. Let's discuss why Disney has a lot of messages.

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Disney owns a lot of things and if you don't know that... well I just ruined your childhood again. According to Columbia Journalism Review, Disney owns about 136 different companies and sources. Disney Corporation owns companies such as Marvel Entertainment, LucasFilm, ESPN, and ABC. How many things you watch are associated with Disney and how much are you getting influenced? 

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Everyone is getting influenced by Disney whether it is 1% or 110% of the influence. Disney owns a lot of different things, isn't that frightening? Disney controls so much of what we watch and how we view things. Perhaps some of us already think in a certain way because the influence of Disney. Isn't too much of anything isn't good true? 

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The reason I bring the topic of Disney Corporation owning and influencing us because it is a serious ownership and children are getting shaped. Children are getting influenced because of the fascinating stories of Disney. Disney has dominated so much; therefore, Disney has shaped the way we think. A film called Mickey Mouse Monopoly discusses the issue with Disney having extreme power; therefore, from the film I have a quote from the CEO Michael Eisner who says, "To make money is our only objective." Money is the only objective, is extremely selfish, but I am not shocked because this is the goal of many monopoly companies. 

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Disney is a monopoly company, which portrays many negative messages. As I have stated in my previous posts: sexualizations and racial discriminations; nevertheless, now we know money is the objective, the messages can be positive or negative Disney doesn't care. If they are harming people especially kids, they don't care. The reason why Disney Corporation is alive is because they feed off of our money. What if Disney did not exist?

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If Disney did not exist, many sexualizations and racial discriminations would not have been accepted and messages would not been taking in easily. Disney would have not left so many kids believe life should be filled with fairy tales and perfect endings. I am not saying Disney should not be around, but Disney has done a lot of damage and caused a lot of controversy. In my perspective, I did grow up with the mindset of a guy saving me and being my prince. How sad is that? I rather have the ugly truth than live a fairy tale mindset. I do not need to be sexualized to be noticed or accepted. I am a woman who can save myself and I need no prince to save me. 

What would you do without Disney? Do you think it would matter? 

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SEXist Fantasy Part 2

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As continuation from SEXist Fantasy Part 1, I will continue talking about more sexist representation in Disney movies. Keep in mind "romanticize racism" from the last post as you read this one. 

I start this post off by Princess Jasmine and you tell me obviously look at the clothes she is wearing, but there is more. Princess Jasmine is already a princess, but as Pam Ryan from the article Disney's Hidden Sexist Messages states, she is tradable and she can't rule alone. Though, when she got mad when overhearing Jafar and Aladdin arguing about winning her, "How dare you? All of you! Standing around deciding my future? I am not a prize to be won!" She is in high power, her father wants to marry her off at a young age (16) and she doesn't leave her palace. 

I found it very interesting how she doesn't leave her palace perhaps because of the concept "women are supposed to stay home." I am not sure if this concept is true for this case, but it is something to take in mind. Princess Jasmine falls in love with Aladdin, but he lies to get to her. All through the movies, he is lying to her and she is believing him like an innocent fool. Jasmine, wake up and get your head in the game. 

           

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Image from Fanpop.com

Ryan states an interesting fact how Princess Jasmine uses her feminine and body to earn Aladdin and her freedom. I believe Ryan is talking about the scene where she sees Aladdin come to kill Jafar and rescue her. Princess Jasmine is wearing a sexy red outfit, uses her body language to seduce him, and then kisses Jafar. Yuck! Jafar is old... very ancient old looking dude. Enough talking about a young princess kissing an old dude, on to the next young princess being foolish...

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Who did you think it was? I hope you were thinking Princess Ariel. At age 16, I started to make wiser choices and this is the opposite from Ariel. Ryan discusses how she changes her body for a man, signs her life away to a stranger, and bargains her voice. Woah there Ariel, calm down with giving up everything you have. Ariel portrays a very submissive female, who doesn't think so brightly.

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Ariel doesn't think brightly at all. In fact, she doesn't fight or get the man of her life by herself. Princess Ariel sacrifices her identity and her heritage for a man. She gets the man, but she had to lose everything to get there, including her tail. Bye tail and I need sexy legs to run to Eric because he will return everything I lost and not reject me. Really now? She changes from a fish to a human! That is a big change! I would stay a mermaid forever, screw Eric there are more fish in the sea. If submissive was not enough, we got a housewife coming up.

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Housewife, Princess Snow White does housework which brings happiness to the seven men states Ryan. She does all the house work and is pleased by it. Why can't a woman be more than just a housewife? I dislike how much women are portrayed as submissive and quiet because all women are not the same just like all men are not the same. We cannot and should not generalize race, culture, sexual orientation, and gender. 

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Princess Snow White is quiet, fragile, and submissive, which is why the mirror, who is the man, chooses Snow White. The mirror disagrees as the Queen being the fairest one. Snow White film puts the message of women in power are "evil." This all was written by Ryan and I did not notice this at first. It was total shock to me because when I look at it now, it is true. A woman (the Queen) in power was wrongful, but this innocent, naive girl is right (Snow White). So here are the three submissive princesses, which is ends the SEXist Fantasy Part 2.

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Three princesses, who we still admire, but what have they taught us? What is something we have learned from these movies? Love conquers all? 

We have learned nothing, but to put women inferior because she will do anything to get a man. Man always stands out to be superior in these movies. Aladdin is a liar, still is accepted and taken lightly. Prince Eric doesn't really do much, but be himself and gets all the ladies. Prince Ferdinand did do much anything, but she fell right into his arms. Girls are taking these princesses and highlighting them; therefore, girls are making themselves inferior and thinking they have to be like these princesses to be accepted. 

What is your opinion on this? Should there be more movies on empowering 

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SEXist Fantasy Part 1

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Throughout time, women have always been sexualized whether for commercials, movies, or music videos. During the age of Disney films and still to this day, men are known or they themselves feel superior to women. Men are known to be strong, dominant, and the boss of household. So why wouldn't sexism be in Disney films? 

Romanticize racism is a new phrase I learned when researching about Disney. Disney has portrayed romanticize racism in the films. What is this type of racism you ask? Romanticize racism is when a gender is categorized as something specific. For example, if a man wanted to marry an Indian woman because she was shy, quiet, simple, and would be his house wife, that is romanticize racism. Many Disney movies have the concept of romanticize racism.

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Romanticized racism and sexism have been interlocked together in Disney films. Princess Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, is a movie which interlocks romanticized racism and sexism. Pam Ryan states in the article, "Disney's Hidden Sexist Messages" how the Beast and Belle are in an abusive relationship. As you can see in the film, he was yelling at her, had anger issues, and was breaking things around the house. Not so health, right? Even with all of the madness, she stays and accepts him. 

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Belle leaves her family (Dad) and her town to stay with this "monster". Ryan states how Disney portrays the domestic abuse with the "stick with a bad situation, happy in the end." Not always the case Disney. This is intriguing because when a girl likes a man or marries a man, she leaves her household and basically everything, to be with him and be in his life. Belle is doing the same thing... am I right or am I right? Sexism occurs not just for women in Disney films. 

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Disney has not wronged women, but men too. Gaston, another character from Beauty and the Beast, is sexist also. First, Gaston, wants an uneducated beauty women states Ryan. He wants a housewife and mother for his ideal boys (his sons). As Belle is interested in books and reading, he doesn't like that. Gaston wants to change Belle to suit his needs. 

Image from Walt Disney Pictures.

Image from India Times.

                        

Ryan addresses how Gaston is praised for his specific criteria and superiority complex. Indeed, we can see it in the song Gaston. We also can see his over-sized muscles, showing off. Gaston is also fighting to get Belle, for example, fighting the beast, her father, and arguing with his buddy to have Belle. Gaston, she doesn't want you, leave Belle alone. However, he doesn't, he comes into her home and also tries to force marriage upon her. She still does not want you, bro. Enough with the simple, delicate girl scenario, we need a patriotic soul up in here.   

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Esmeralda, "the gypsy girl" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, is the patriotic soul. She was hard-core and fierce, one of my favorites. However, Esmeralda is not a princess and she is a gypsy, which is looked down upon. Ryan states how she is looked down because of liberty. If you remember the film, Esmeralda fights for justice and she raises her voice no matter who it is in front of. She also fights hardcore too. I kind of wish I could do that. Esmeralda is also clever, smart, and witty; however, still looked down upon and insulted like trash. She was looked down for being what a "man" should be. 

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This is only part one of sexism, it gets better. Not really, it gets really heartbreaking to see that kids actually watch this and interpret gender roles. I believe gender roles are extremely important because children start noticing differences in gender, for example, how a girl or boy is supposed to act and what they are supposed to be wearing. I wonder how these Disney films affected folks around my age group and how about kids now?

What are your thoughts about sexism in Disney? Has it affected you? 

Last picture I promise: 

Image from Fanpop.

Childhood Destruction Part 2

I am continuing to destruct your childhood. I'm just kidding. I will be showing more of the discrimination and racism throughout this second part. As we move forward into different films, the discrimination becomes more hidden and we begin to take it because we either don't see it or we neglect it. Which is worse?

Russo discusses how children will intake this about cultures, but I will have to disagree because I noticed as I was growing up. I didn't think they affected how I looked at different cultures; however, not everyone observe in information the same way. So lets take a look.

Image from http://www.animationsource.org

Let's start this madness one more time. Back to The Lady and the Tramp, we have this character called Pedro, who is a Chihuahua, which is portrayed as stupid and submissive with Mexican stereotypes. As I look into his character, I do see the Mexican accent and the way he is speaking very stereotypical. I do not understand if he is stupid or submissive, but then again isn't every Disney character portrayed as such?

Image from Disney Wiki

We have a character in Fantasia called Sunflower. Sunflower is represented as mythical creature; however, she was half human and half donkey, not half human and half horse. How interesting that she was half donkey? The fact that she was sloppy and a servant. She was not portrayed beautiful as the fair skinned girls who were dancing pretty in the film.

In the article, "10 Disney Characters Who Stirred Up Controversy" by Amy Cook talks about Sunflower in more depth than Russo. Cook explains how Sunflower had the behavior of African American culture from that certain time period. Cook also indicates Sunflower being portrayed as, "horrifyingly offensive African-American “pickaninny” caricature." I agree with Cook, it is offensive and unacceptable to have a character looking and acting like such. Disney did this to please the white audience. 

As I watched Sunflower's character in a small clip. I wondered why they had such a sloppy character. I observed how she wanted to be like the other creatures which were fair, beautiful, and half human and half horse. I felt as if Sunflower was mocking of the African American culture and I found it very offensive. She was taken out of the film, but she still is in the older versions. I do not remember seeing her in my copy of Fantasia, but now I will surely double check when I get home. African American discrimination continues throughout Disney films, you just have to search and pay attention.

Image from Disney Wiki.

African American discrimination in the film Dumbo, which has stood out to me the most because of the black crows. One of the black crows' name was Jim Crow, extremely shocked when I read that. Who would have known Disney would have used a name which had a segregation law between blacks and whites? Oh did I mention the crow was black too? Such an oxymoron!

Russo states how the Black culture was portrayed: smoking cigars, speaking jive, and spending time doing nothing, but observing civilized world. These crows spoke African American English also known as Ebonics. This subject was discussed in my Africana studies class were I learned how the racism in this film affected people. 

The issue in my class about these crows were elderly African American people. This made an impact because they went through the controversy, discrimination, and racism when this film came out. Disney has done a lot of cultures wrong, not just the African American culture.

Image from http://lakotakids.blogspot.com/2013/08/PeterPan.html

Peter Pan has discrimination of Native Americans, which also let to controversy. Peter Pan portrays Native Americans (Indians) all mute except the chief; therefore, they were also portrayed as thoughtless and communicating like animals. The song, “What Makes a Red Man Red” consists of grunts and mumbles; nevertheless, the display of their bright red colored skin which takes a patriarchal and oppressive stand.

As I watched the song, "What Makes a Red Man Red," I noticed a lot of stereotyping. Yes, I do agree with Russo with the grunts and mumbles, which I could barely understand what they were trying to say in the song and the random dialogues. The other Native Americans do talk, so I am disagreeing with Russo in this point also.

To add, Peter Pan, Wendy, and the others were dressed as "Native Americans," which I am not sure if they were making fun of them or not. Feather and pain on the face, not so creative trying to make them look "Native Americans."

I also want to address the Native Americans sound mad, cruel, and mean. Their face were frowning and the chief's voice was extremely evil. They also go bananas in the song; therefore is this portraying Native Americans as silly and stupid? 

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So what do you do? These messages and issues are really tricky yet obvious to hear or see. As growing up, I began to notice some things and took into consideration. Do we take neglect these messages or do something about them? Disney was later discussed in multiple classrooms of mine and it had caught my attention how it isn't “Happily Ever After Again,” but a betrayal.


Did Disney do these actions because it was the era of racism and discrimination? Or was he being ignorant? Or was he doing it to please the white audience? What is your opinion on this?

Childhood Destruction Part 1

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“Do not be fooled by its commonplace appearance. Like so many things, it is not what outside, but what is inside that counts.” 

I hate those moments when you like or are passionate about something, but then you find the ugly truth about it and go, “Oh no. This can’t be true... Really?!?!” I swear I have this experience since the start of my time. I come from an Indian family and I have come to understand my parents do not understand the secret messages and the intended message about films. This is why Disney and I have a hate, love relationship.

I feel as if when it comes to media especially, parental guidance and explanation is needed. Children are interpreting and getting influenced by many different things. This post will talk about three movies, which will include racial discrimination from countries around the world.

 

Image is a painting by Richard Vanderwende from One1more2time3 weblog.

The first film I will discuss is Aladdin and there are two items which are discussed in the article, "Disney's Most Racist Films and Characters" by Juniper Russo. One of the issues being the song “Arabian Nights” which explains the Middle East in a negative way. . Who would have noticed the song being a controversy because of the Arab discrimination? However the lyrics says it all, “Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face. It's barbaric, but hey, it's home.”

I personally never noticed lyrics were talking about the Middle East. Thinking about it now, it changes the whole perspective and meaning of the song. The song is catchy, one has to listen to the lyrics carefully to notice the discrimination. 

Image from http://www.animatedheroes.com/aladdin.html.

Second issues addressed is how Princess Jasmine and Aladdin become more “Caucasian” throughout the movies. Russo states the message kids would be getting is how good guys started having light skin and the bad guys started having dark skin.

I would have disagree with Russo’s statement about kids noticing the skin color difference. Kids would be focused on the Princess Jasmine, Aladdin, and the story line more than the color of their skin. To say, the skin color changes through the movies is tricky because technology wasn't so great back then to make high definition movies.

Image from Fanpop.

One of the issues from The Lady and the Tramp I will discuss in this post is the Siamese cats which are portrayed as stereotypical Asians: buck toothed, slanted eyes, and exaggerated accents. The cats are portrayed as evil, manipulated, and cunning.

I never knew it was a racial issue till I started to take it seriously. When you are a kid, you think those cats are mean and you hate them for what they do to the main character. Now when you watch the film again as a grown up, you realize there is a more depth to the cats than them being mean.

Image from DVD Active. 

Another article called, "Are these Disney Movies Racist?” by Jessica Misener also brings up the Siamese cat in The Aristocrats film. The Siamese cat plays piano with chopsticks and also sings in the song “Everyone Wants to Be a Cat,” but talks about fortune cookies and making fun of the ways Asians speak.

When I was a kid, I thought it was silly and funny how the cat was acting. I knew Asians used chopsticks, but I never thought it was a racism issue. However, now as a grown up, I see the racism and stereotype build up.

This is only part one of the destruction Disney has done. It only gets worse in my second post about the films. Stay tune for part two for more.

What do you think so far? How do you feel about it?

Down the Memory Lane with Disney

"And at last I see the light, and it's like the fog has lifted."

Walt Disney has impacted a great amount of lives. There are different opinions about Disney; therefore, you can love or hate him because it will not change how Disney matters to me. My blog is here to provide some informational history about Disney as well as acknowledge the racial discrimination and sexualizations of both genders in Disney films. 

The picture comes from Disney and the source is Telegraph. Mickey Mouse was Walt Disney's first release.

"Oh, I just can't wait to be king!"

The Lion King came out in 1994, which was the year I was born in. So since it came out, I watched it constantly. Therefore, my Grandmother, who was visiting from India, ended up memorizing the movie and singing the songs because of how many times I watched it. Disney has been a part of me since the day I saw The Lion King. 

"Everybody wants to be a cat because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at."

One of my personal experiences as a kid was to watch the Disney movies and sing-along. I found myself being spontaneous because of such color in the films, the catchy songs, and the story line. Of course, growing up I heard and noticed a lot of issues with Disney films and why many people opposed Disney. 

The picture comes from Disney and the source is Telegraph. Mickey Mouse become extremely famous.

"We are Siamese if you please."

Controversy about the movies have stirred many. A lot of movies included racial discrimination and sexualizing genders, which will be discussed throughout the blogs. 

"Under the Sea, darling it's better, down where it's wetter."

Disney also has a lot of hidden messages in his films and illustrations. My mind continues seeing these films from a child's point of view so my feelings are conflicted. I do understand the films were made for adults, but I feel as some children get influences in a wrong direction by Disney.

The picture comes from Disney and the source is Telegraph. 

"I won't say I am in love."

Some people hate and some love Disney; however, no one can be perfect and loved by everyone. There is always someone who hates or opposes. I personally know Disney has inspired me and helped me see the light in the darkest times. 

"Look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities." 

I value Walt Disney because he has given us inspiration and dreams. Watching the movies, I always felt as if I was the main characters, battling through struggles of life. Disney has always been there for me when I needed it the most because Disney has always uplifted me and made me smile.

The picture comes from Disney and the source is Telegraph. This is a picture of Mickey throughout the years.

"Someday my prince will come."

I feel as if Disney spoiled people because most people felt special and precious through his films. Children watching certain films, dreamed of being princesses and princes, even in Disney theme parks. There is a joyful and thrilling feeling Disney gives off because of the breathtaking beauty and joy of the movies and theme parks. 

"Never had a friend like me."

Going to Disneyland, I felt so electrified! My brain could not handle the excitement. I was going around meeting different Disney characters, enjoying the lovely scenery, and rides. There was no better place than Disneyland for me. 

"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream."
To add, Disney has given hope to many children and has brought things to life. Movies, music, art, theme parks, and toys of Disney have a certain charm which anyone could enjoy and get excited.

Posted by Casey Wilson on the website http://ufkidlit.wordpress.com/. This is the Disney logo which is featured in all Disney films. 

"Cruella De Vil."
When I was little, my Dad took me to McDonalds and he used to get me the Happy Meal. I would always look forward to them because I would get Disney toys; nevertheless, Disney was everywhere when I was growing up. 

"Poor Unfortunate Souls." 
I just wonder why Walt Disney made the movies for adults, obviously the children enjoy them, but did he ever think he would trigger children or was this all a beautiful accident? I honestly feel everyone should enjoy Disney because it uplifts your spirit. You can be a kid or an adult, but it doesn't hurt to enjoy a terrific Disney movie. Hakuna Matata!


What is your opinion on Disney? Any Dislikes or Likes?