Walt Disney is a prominent figure known for his contributions and influence on the American entertainment during the 20th century. He is regarded as a cultural icon and known throughout the world and within the American animation industry. The Walt Disney Company is one of the world’s leading entertainment providers and is known for bringing entertainment to families through its amusements parks, television series and especially through its numerous animated motion pictures ("Reference for Business." The Walt Disney Company.). Many people who have watched Disney movies believe that the movies are “cute” and perfect entertainment for the whole family. In reality, Disney movies are not “perfect” and depict racism and stereotypes that are found
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Like gender stereotypes, racism is easily depicted throughout numerous Disney movies. These television and movies directed from Disney have influenced children from a young age on how they should perceive a “black” or “white” person in society. “According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), children between 2 and 5 years of age start to become aware of race and ethnicity... They can accurately identity “Black” and “White” when labeling pictures, dolls and people. Children develop their own racial identity during preschool and elementary school years” (Ramsay, 2003). Disney movies and television shows are a prime source where children learn from and become aware of race. For example, Disney has always introduced a white prince or princess and has never included an African American prince and princess until 2009. Considering The Walt Disney Company has been around since the 20th century, it is racist and disrespectful that Disney had never provided a movie with African American characters until 2009. Since children between the ages of 2 and 5 become aware of race and Disney is a big influence on these children, They are not being exposed to enough multiculturalism and it truly affects their mindset later in life. Many of the Disney movies tend to have “hidden” racist remarks and scenes. In the 1941 Disney movie Dumbo, “The film is excessively light in its handling of southern racism. The crows are extremely stereotypically black characters. Never mind that the lead crow 's name is JIM Crow (that 's a whole different article). However, the song "When I See an Elephant Fly," contains heavy-use of southern black vernacular, including: "I 'd be done see 'n about everything / When I see an elephant fly!" The fact that the crows are the color black and speak in a
Like gender stereotypes, racism is easily depicted throughout numerous Disney movies. These television and movies directed from Disney have influenced children from a young age on how they should perceive a “black” or “white” person in society. “According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), children between 2 and 5 years of age start to become aware of race and ethnicity... They can accurately identity “Black” and “White” when labeling pictures, dolls and people. Children develop their own racial identity during preschool and elementary school years” (Ramsay, 2003). Disney movies and television shows are a prime source where children learn from and become aware of race. For example, Disney has always introduced a white prince or princess and has never included an African American prince and princess until 2009. Considering The Walt Disney Company has been around since the 20th century, it is racist and disrespectful that Disney had never provided a movie with African American characters until 2009. Since children between the ages of 2 and 5 become aware of race and Disney is a big influence on these children, They are not being exposed to enough multiculturalism and it truly affects their mindset later in life. Many of the Disney movies tend to have “hidden” racist remarks and scenes. In the 1941 Disney movie Dumbo, “The film is excessively light in its handling of southern racism. The crows are extremely stereotypically black characters. Never mind that the lead crow 's name is JIM Crow (that 's a whole different article). However, the song "When I See an Elephant Fly," contains heavy-use of southern black vernacular, including: "I 'd be done see 'n about everything / When I see an elephant fly!" The fact that the crows are the color black and speak in a