welcome to disneys world
Disneyland, Disney World, and Euro Disney sound like magical places, places that conjure up only fond memories and images of the true 'American' culture. Disney has taken this culture to all corners of the world showing the wonders of our great society, right? Disney's movies are some of the top grossing films, the toys are selling off the shelves, and if you look at bus full of preschoolers, a large number of them are bound to be wearing a piece of clothing donning a Disney character. The hand of Disney has grabbed hold of our children, but what do we really know about this stranger? Disney is a large multi-national corporation with its eye on financial success. This success drives this company to exploit the resources and people of other nations while maintaining an image that is respected within the American society. Not only does Disney exploit other cultures, it also produces films, supposedly idealizing 'American values', that consistently contain racism, sexism, homophobia, and ethnocentrism thereby exploiting our own. Sweat-shops are not a new issue in international business. We, as North Americans, have become painfully aware of the exploitation taking place in numerous coun
What kind of associations will children make when they are constantly exposed to stories placing white, upper-class Americans against the uneducated, power-hungry, impoverished minority? Disney also has the habit maintaining the patriarchal ideologies in our society. However, it is more disturbing when a corporation that has established itself on its values and a commitment to children is paying twelve years old girls seven cents in developing countries an hour to make pajamas for twelve year olds in North America. The conclusion one might make for such associations is the reestablishment of the racial hierarchy within American society. After experiencing a feminist revolution and a constant struggle to achieve sexual equality, should Americans still allow their children to fall victim to these images of the old sexist and patriarchal ways? To further explain the implicit messages within Disney's films, one may look at the blockbuster hit, "The Lion King. However, Jones has overcome racial boundaries as he is readily associated with CNN and other non-racial voice-overs. As well, once educated, the parent or consumer can be a more active viewer of the films and can discuss such issues with the children. Corporate Watch revealed on their website that in Thailand, Disney contractor The Eden Group, fired 1,145 of their own workers in order to take advantage of lower cost subcontractors, 10 of which were found to employ child labor. It was also shown that Disney is supporting the Burmese military dictatorship as it attempts to protect a factory, of which 45% is owned by the state, that produces its clothing. Disney is teaching our children moral and values, but who's morals are they? We do not have to live in Disney's world and we should ensure that our children can find their own magical place, a place free of hypocrisy, racism, and false morals. What is possible is education and consumer awareness. The female always manages to 'pin' young Simba (the boy lion) when they wrestle. The villains, therefore, must be of a different ethnicity. These are just a few of the massages within the film, but they are sufficient in showing the type of 'values' Disney is teaching our children. Many feel that interpretations similar to those expressed above are going 'overboard' in complexity. Disney is a mainstay in American culture and eliminating it as an influence is practically impossible.
Common topics in this essay:
African-American Hispanic-American,
Euro Disney,
Thailand Disney,
Recently Arab,
North Americans,
Circle Life,
Jones Jones,
Rowan Atkinson,
North America,
Lion King,
american society,
teaching children,
disney teaching children,
disney's films,
white upper-class,
upper-class americans,
racial hierarchy,
disney's world,
society disney,
white upper-class americans,
disney teaching,
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Acceptance Essays
