Stereotypes in the Media, Perpetuated by Children's Movies

It may or may not be common fact that Disney has created many characters within their movies that stereotype various races, to the point that Disney could be considered racist. For example in Aladdin for the song Arabian Nights the lyrics go "Where they cut off your ear, if they don't like your face, it's barbaric, but hey it's home". This stereotypes that the Middle East is barbaric and dangerous. In The Little Mermaid the crab Sebastian is depicted as Jamaican and sings about how under the sea you can play all day instead of above ground where you have to work. It gets worse with the crows from Dumbo which are black, and speak with diction of an individual from slave times. ALSO the lead crow is named Jim Crow. WHAT DISNEY? Really. That is the worse of it, apart from the underlying ideal that each Disney Princess's lover should be of the same race (or of the superior race i.e for Pocahontas John Smith was white, the man that Arielle loved from The Little Mermaid was not a fish from the under the sea, but instead a white man named Eric. Tiana Even Nola was lighter than Simba!) Even the villain's skin tends to be darker as if to say that darker people are dangerous or villainous. (i.e Jafar from Aladdin, Scar from the Lion King, the evil guy from Princess and the Frog)

But how do these stereotypes fit into the Ramirez-Berg reading from this weak? There is no misconception made by Disney about certain races. Over the years these movies have been developed without regard or sensitivity, because they are meant to cater to children, however as I have grown up I have began to notice all the things listed above. Disney has come drastically far and the times have changed so if they were at once misinformed about Racial issues, behaviors and actions of the out-group they should not be anymore and should start creating movies that integrate many characters from across various cultures. If not just to try something different, then just to prove they're not racist after all.

Another issue I find with Disney is that each female character has to have a prince charming. Its a wonderful concept for a fairytale ending, however since these movies are geared towards a young audience, they need to show that a woman can stand on their own! The closest Disney got to showing a woman holding her on is Mulan, however that visual was tainted by her dressing up as a man. If females could be portrayed for once as not inferior to men in a Disney movie, I will be a little more happy and faithful in tomorrow youth, knowing that their main goal in life isn't to find their Hero.

*Disclaimer- There may very well be movies that don't perpetuate stereotypes or that do depict a woman as being superior, but I can't think of it right now, and when I do i will edit blog.