Pocahontas

The New Sun conference was interesting to me for a variety of reason, the most important of which was that it humanised issues that in my personal experience I have only heard in passing. It gave these issues of cultural appropriation and identity struggle a human face. It is so easy in this world to ignore harsh truths that do not directly affect your own experience, but this conference shone a light on those truths. Alethea Arnquq-Baril’s presentation her passion for storytelling through film…

While most films offer a sort of distraction from reality, musicals are often a utopia of wealth and happiness (Belton, 2009). Through dazzling song and dance, they make routine look like pageantry and loneliness feel like individuality. Even the most conservative of musicals transform the everyday into a spectacle, transitioning dramatic tensions into a melodic fanfare. Singing liberates the characters to express themselves in a way that mere words never could, giving them a freedom from the…

The Disney princesses are very good role models. Most little girls love to dress up as Disney princesses and there is nothing wrong with that. In the article, “Little Girls or Little Women? The Disney Princess Effect”, Stephanie Hanes argues that the Disney princesses are bad for young girls. She argues that because young girls grow up in a Disney culture they are growing up and maturing faster. Disney princesses deserve to be celebrated for all that they teach young girls. Hanes does not…

In 1492 when Christopher Columbus first arrived in America and came into contact with the native people he wrote this about them: “they could easily be commanded, and made to work, to sow and to do whatever might be needed, to build towns and be taught to wear clothes and adopt our ways,” and, “they are the best people in the world and above all the gentlest.” (Present, 2003) As I researched Native Americans History I was and am certain you will be when you read this paper embarrassed at the way…

There is a lack of adequate diverse representation in the media (logos). The media does not portray people of color in the media enough—and when minorities are cast or depicted in films, commercials, and other forms of media, they are limited to an overplayed and annoying (and boring) stereotype or filler trope (ethos). Although Hollywood films and other media industries may recognize that there is not enough diversity in their films, there are still little to no changes being made. Roles…

According to Crimelibrary.com “the first major event in Robert Hansen's life occurred on December 7, 1960. As retribution for perceived abuses by the people of Pocahontas, Iowa, he burned down the school bus garage. Unfortunately for Hansen, a friend turned him in”. Hansen served 20 months out of his 3 year sentence in prison. Robert was still married at the time when he burned down the garage. The same year he got…

When someone hears the word “princess” they might think of a beautiful, thin, young woman with no flaws. The early Disney princesses such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty come to mind. These princesses looked unrealistic with perfect bodies, depended on men, and were not known for being smart. More recent Disney princesses have more realistic bodies, don't need a man to rescue them, and are intelligent. The Disney company's portrayal of princesses from the 1930's to the 2010's has shown changes…

Marina, Malintzin, and Malinche are few of the names given to Hernán Cortes’ personal translator. She was a daughter to a father and mother to the Chiefs of a town called Paynala. When she was a little girl, her father died and her mother gave her away to some people of Xicalango. Then, they gave her away to people of Tabasco who would then end up giving her away to Cortes. She served not only as an interpreter but she also had a son of Cortes who they named Martin. To the Spanish, like Bernal…

A Need for Change: Sweatshops One might refer to sweatshops as a living hell. This phrase may seem slightly over the top to some, but for those who have experienced the interminable, exhausting hours in a sweatshop it is an understatement. Sweatshop products are everywhere. Christmas ornaments, cotton tee shirts, cellular devices, and cigarettes are a few sweatshop items. Sweatshops are not the problem. Without them the producers would not be able to keep up with the demanding consumer society.…

Schwartz. As Godspell was one of Schwartz’s earliest and most famous productions, he also worked on the composition and lyrics of the stage productions of Pippin, Working, Children of Eden, and Wicked, along with the cinematic Disney classics of Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The show was originally produced in 1970 on a smaller scale under the direction of Tebelak. Eventually, the producers hired Schwartz to write a new composition, which consisted of many genres, including early…