Disney's Stereotypes

Consumerism in the 20th century led America to experience all the messages and culture that Disney has to offer. Walt Disney Animation Studios all started with a charismatic mouse named Mortimer (Goldstein 3). During WWI his charm provided hope for the American people, serving as a common affection from a universal audience regardless of wealth, social status, and age (Burns 17). Opposition from Walt Disney’s Colleagues suggest that he had sexist and racist tendencies, however he ignored this criticism and continued producing his films (Patrick 2). Within a few short years, Disney became a cultural icon which reflected in merchandise sales, films, and marketing (Booker 5). Objection to their portrayal of stereotypical gender roles and ethnic
Walt Disney Animation Studio’s productions are a “major contributor to shaping girl culture” (“Disney and Girlhood,” 1). Many young girls strive to replicate what they see in these princesses, and “unrealistic standards of beauty,” have a harmful impact on their self-esteem. From clothing to body types and skin color, classic princesses embody a stereotypical Caucasian, petite, and lavishly dressed woman. It is not healthy for this repetitive portrayal to be shown to young girls, who will look at themselves differently if they do not have the same characteristics (Booker 3). Unrealistic story lines, in which a male prince comes to protect the female “reawakened by true love’s kiss”, show no expense, truth, or redemption. Young children watching these films will ponder their own future, and think they will have the same experiences in their lifetime (Burns
In most Disney films, the characters are represented as Caucasian. Only in few instances is there more diversity, and even then these characters are portrayed in an offensive and stereotypical manner (“Disney and Girlhood,” 5). Evidence of this is true in Dumbo, when the African American men are pitching the tent in poor weather they are singing about being worked to death. This is a reference to slavery and forced labor. The crow characters were also a racially insensitive feature, portrayed as uneducated, lazy, and smoking, they were used to represent the African American race; One of the crow’s name was even Jim Crow- A reference to a racial caste system which had segregated the nation (“Dumbo”). Similarly, in Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat, the black community was shown with exaggerated facial features, tattered clothing, and sitting on cotton (“Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat”). Arab characters were not shown with any less racist inequalities. In Aladdin, the lyrics of a song included, “Where they cut off your ear if they don’t like your face, it’s barbaric but hey it’s home.” Disney later changed these lyrics, but refused to remove the word ‘barbaric’. ("Racism Charge Brings Disney Change of Tune."). The villain in Aladdin had exaggerated Arab features as well (“Aladdin”). Most Disney villains are not white, which further enforces a white privilege ideal. The cat