People Calling Disney Films Racist!?

[gregmasciola]

Sometimes I like to go on sites like amazon.com to read people's reviews of movies/music that I like. I couldn't believe that some people are calling Disney movies racist and that they refuse to let their kids watch them.
Some of these claims are just plain stupid in my opinion. They say that Little Mermaid is racist because of Sebastian, Beauty And The Beast is racist against French people because of Lumeire (not sure how to spell his name) and that Jungle Book is racist against black people because of the monkeys. Some even call Walt a "racist Nazi".
Basically, their opinion seems to be that if the character has a French accent or a black voice, that it's racist against French/black people.
I try to just roll my eyes when i read reviews like this, but I just think those reviewers are idiots!
The only movie I can understand some people complaining about is Peter Pan. While the main characters and the pirates are made to look very realistic, the Indians are much more cartoony and caricature like. I still disagree that this makes the movie "racist" against Native Americans. Maybe inaccurate, but not racist.
Does anyone else think that these kind of reviews are just completely ridiculous?

[MadameGaston]

Yeah, they are pretty annoying! But which reviews really get me angry is when femenist write a review onThe Princesses (Any merchandise of them) and say that they're weak or "Bad Role Models" or they "Love to wait around for men to save them" . I mean if they hate it so much then why don't they watch a movie with stupid butt-kicking princesses like Shrek !

[2099net]

I wouldn't say Sebastian, Lumiere or even Cogsworth or Mrs. Potts are "Racist", but the fact remains that they are stereotypes. Sometimes stereotypes can be very close to racism, and sometimes they actually are racism.

For example, although it is wrong, if I asked you to write the main traits of a Jewish stereotype, you would most likely be able to, even though this is rarely used these days, because its 100% racist. Yet thanks to people being familiar with how the stereotype was used in the past, in works of literature, entertainment or even propaganda, almost everyone is familiar with this stereotype, even though they don't agree with it.

That's why stereotyping is wrong, because it creates an image which people find hard to disassociate with later. I do feel that each of the examples you mentioned above, the criticism is (to a certain extent) justified.

I know in those Disney films you mentioned, the stereotypes are used as a way of creating characters which need little screen time by way of introduction, have motivations that are easy to understand, explain their eccentricities and are somewhat "lovable", but to be honest, the heavy reliance on stereotypes in Beauty and the Beast is another reason I feel that film is overrated (and ultimately hollow).

The same claims of stereotyping could also be applied to the US stereotype of Alameda Slim in Home on the Range, showing that Disney is an equal opportunity stereotyper.

Now, I'm not one to big Pixar films up (as many regular readers will know), but Pixar's characters are generally not stereotypes, even in Finding Nemo, which makes a big deal of its Australian characters and accents. And while it could be argued that characters like Buzz Lightyear, Lightening McQueen or even some of the Radiator Springs cars, start out as a genre stereotype (rather than national stereotype) through out the film the character[s] grow and change and we see that they are more than their initial stereotyping implied – not something that can be said of Sebastian or Lumiere et al.

Perhaps the only exception in Pixar's case is the surf-culture turtles, but again they're more of a multi-national sporting-culture stereotype rather than a national one.

[BelleGirl]

You do have a point about stereotypes, but personally I think that people complaining about racism because of this are a bit too serious for their own good, and should put things into perspecitve. Why can't we laugh about the fact that you have all kind of different people with their different ways and accent, and that this is illuminated in cartoon features?
It cannot be denied that there there will allways be stereotypical ideas about the characterisitics of different groups of people, be they french, Caribian, Italian, Greek or Dutch for instance (You won't believe how many -negative- cliche ideas exist about the Dutch... if I would be offended by this, I would have no life!)

I think people should losen up a bit!

[EAWildman]

I think the thing that differentiates the occasional stereotype used in Disney films and outright racism is in the intent. I truly belive that there was no racist intent on the part of the Disney animators, writers and producers. While they may have used stereotypes, the message of the films is inherently not racist....thus, we are not dealing with racism at all.

This is the same burden prosecutors must meet when putting someone on trial for a "hate crime." How we differentiate between assult between a black man and a white man and a hate crime comes down to intent, or "why was this done."

If you can make the case that Disney used a stereotype in a movie for the purpose of denegrating or injuring the stereotyped party, then you could say the movie was racisit. I don't think you can make that case at all for the examples brought up so far.

Eric

[Marky_198]

I can't stand it either.

With the Princess and the frog, many AA people are complaining that Tiana was a chambermaid.

SO WHAT?

Cinderella was a chambermaid too. Why didn't they complain about that?
For white girls it's ok to be a chambermaid? Black girls can only be princesses?

That's kind of racist!

It's the AA people in this case that are making separations between races and create the gap.

Besides, Tiana is the leading character in a Disney Classic for heavens sake. She's a heroine anyway. What do they expect? Who cares about the job. Have you ever seen white people complaining about Cinderella's or Snow White's job?

As long as there are people behaving this way, the gap between races will stay. Even when all white people think everyone's equal, AA people will keep this alive with reactions as these.
I don't understand their longing for being seen as a separate group. Don't they want everyone to be equals?

The stories about Sebastian and Lumiere and Mrs. Potts are absolutely ridiculous.
Many white Disney characters have been ugly, fat, skinny, bad, had terrible singing voices, all the stereotypes are there.
Have you ever heard anyone complain?
So what's this all about?

[Marky_198]

You do have a point about stereotypes, but personally I think that people complaining about racism because of this are a bit too serious for their own good, and should put things into perspecitve. Why can't we laugh about the fact that you have all kind of different people with their different ways and accent, and that this is illuminated in cartoon features?
It cannot be denied that there there will allways be stereotypical ideas about the characterisitics of different groups of people, be they french, Caribian, Italian, Greek or Dutch for instance (You won't believe how many -negative- cliche ideas exist about the Dutch... if I would be offended by this, I would have no life!)

I think people should losen up a bit!

Exactly.
What kind of life would we have if we had to complain about the genie in Aladdin making a gay character, Drizella's ugly singing and appearance, Mrs.Potts, cliche granny look/behaviour, lumiere's cliche french accent, gaston's cliche macho image, Maurice's cliche look/behaviour, the priest in The Little mermaid's cliche look/character, etc, etc.
But if there would be one old fat ugly black lady in a Disney movie (like the tons of white ones we've had), there would be people complaining immediately, and it would be racist of course.

EVERYONE with a decent state of mind knows that not all the gay's, granny's, french, guys are like that.
Get over it and don't take yourself too seriously.
And don't throw everything on the racist thing, is my advice to some people.

[MagicMirror]

The image of Disney as a nazi seems to have begun with Marc Eliot's unauthorised biography, 'Walt Disney: Hollywood's Dark Prince'. Almost all of what Eliot suggests has been shown to be incorrect, with supporting evidence, by Michael Barrier and animation historians (Barrier is not employed by Disney, so is in no way looking after his job by refuting Eliot's claims).

Unfortunately it is the negative image of famous figures that tends to stay with the public and most people who don't know much about Disney almost seem to assume he was a firm anti-semite and even a Nazi sympathiser. There was the play 'Disney in Deutschland', for example.

[disneyfella]

Now, I'm not one to big Pixar films up (as many regular readers will know), but Pixar's characters are generally not stereotypes, even in Finding Nemo, which makes a big deal of its Australian characters and accents. And while it could be argued that characters like Buzz Lightyear, Lightening McQueen or even some of the Radiator Springs cars, start out as a genre stereotype (rather than national stereotype) through out the film the character[s] grow and change and we see that they are more than their initial stereotyping implied – not something that can be said of Sebastian or Lumiere et al.

Perhaps the only exception in Pixar's case is the surf-culture turtles, but again they're more of a multi-national sporting-culture stereotype rather than a national one.

What about Guido and Luigi, the car mechanics in Radiator Springs? Their look and mannerisms are rather stereotypical italian charicatures.

I think the thing that differentiates the occasional stereotype used in Disney films and outright racism is in the intent. I truly belive that there was no racist intent on the part of the Disney animators, writers and producers. While they may have used stereotypes, the message of the films is inherently not racist....thus, we are not dealing with racism at all.

This is the same burden prosecutors must meet when putting someone on trial for a "hate crime." How we differentiate between assult between a black man and a white man and a hate crime comes down to intent, or "why was this done."

If you can make the case that Disney used a stereotype in a movie for the purpose of denegrating or injuring the stereotyped party, then you could say the movie was racisit. I don't think you can make that case at all for the examples brought up so far.

Eric

I would agree with you.........to some extent. Yes, stereotyping without intent is not racism. It's simply ignorance. However, I don't think anyone would disagree that 'Aunt Gemima' or 'Uncle Tom' (simple stereotypes of their day) are completely racist images today. Perhaps stereotypes speak more to the time and mentality of people rather than subliminal brainwashing and jokes at minorities.

The problem becomes when those stereotypes are no longer stereotypes. When a culture/nationality/ethnicity moves forward and acheives more dignity; then past stereotypes become degrating. While I am not personally offended by any of the charicatures people are complaining about, I am also not the brunt of any stereotype.

For people to teach their children their own messages.....I simply don't think that is a bad thing. They are only trying to do what they think is best for their children. While you may disagree with it or don't understand it, you can't really say it is wrong. Nor should you comply to what others are doing in their child-rearing.

Still, it is interesting to acknowledge what people find as untrue or false stereotypes...and what they DON'T view as offensive stereotypes.




p.s. In absolutely NO way do I think Disney should censor their product to appease today's society. Films are a record of the past and an indication of how far we've come. In order to move forward and do better, we cannot and should not erase any mistakes (or present day interpretations of mistakes)

[blackcauldron85]

Are any Italians offended by Luigi & Guido? Are all stereotypes bad? If Lumiere is stereotyping anything, it is that the French are lovers. Is that bad? Should Disney not be allowed to use non-American actors or have non-American characters?!?

[Wall-e spoiler] Will overweight people complain about the way humans are depicted in Wall-e?{highlight to read) Are Hawaiians offended because not all Hawaiians surf? Are Canadians offended that Rutt & Tuke say "eh", because maybe not all Canadians actually say "eh". Are small-breasted women going to be offended that all of the post-puberty mermaids have big seashells?

I think that sometimes people have nothing better to do with themselves than to moan about little things like this. It's the slightest minority that complains, yet because of them, we all get affected...case in point: Song of the South. I'm not going to open this can of worms, but just because a small minority of the viewing public complained, the film isn't released.

[Simba3]

Are any Italians offended by Luigi & Guido? Are all stereotypes bad? If Lumiere is stereotyping anything, it is that the French are lovers. Is that bad? Should Disney not be allowed to use non-American actors or have non-American characters?!?

[Wall-e spoiler] Will overweight people complain about the way humans are depicted in Wall-e?{highlight to read) Are Hawaiians offended because not all Hawaiians surf? Are Canadians offended that Rutt & Tuke say "eh", because maybe not all Canadians actually say "eh". Are small-breasted women going to be offended that all of the post-puberty mermaids have big seashells?

I think that sometimes people have nothing better to do with themselves than to moan about little things like this. It's the slightest minority that complains, yet because of them, we all get affected...case in point: Song of the South. I'm not going to open this can of worms, but just because a small minority of the viewing public complained, the film isn't released.

Great post Amy, and I must say that I wholeheartedly agree with you. I think that there people out there who scrutinize anything and everything and just look for something to complain about. Especially in the case of the upcoming "The Princess and the Frog" film. No matter how Disney approaches this film and how it turns out, there will be people complaining no matter what. I can't believe people will take the time to overanalyze children's movies.

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks, Kyle! Poor "The Princess and the Frog"- it didn't even stand a chance, not even before it was in production! I agree with Marky_198- Cinderella and Snow White were maids, and people weren't complaining. "The Princess and the Frog" takes place well after the Civil War, so it's not like Tiana is a slave or anything! Some people just want attention. They love to bring up the past- if they want equality, maybe they should realize that other people have learned from the mistakes of the past and have moved on, keeping those lessons in mind. I'd rather Disney make the films it wants to make, not changing films to please this small minority of whiners. It drives me crazy!!!!!! Ugh! Disney would lose some money from these people not seeing the movies or buying the merchandise, sure, but once whiners see that Disney isn't going to compromise their artistic integrity because of a few people with too much time on their hands, maybe they'll find something better to do.

End of rant (for now)!

[BelleGirl]

Another thing to be offended about is the 'lookism' of Disney films. Mostly heroes and heroins are pretty and the villains often ugly.
In the rare case the hero does look ugly, he eihter turns into a handsome prince in the end (Beauty and the Beast) or his love is not returned (Hunchback of Notre Dame)
These were the complains years ago of a lady who KNEW that she was ugly, and was apparently very bitter about the treatment she got from society.
I'm sure Disney is not out to offend ugly people, they just know that a pretty face and figure is more appealing that a plain/ugly one. (as does Hollywood and the fashion industry).

This of course has nothing to do with accusations of racism, but it shows that always something offending can be found in Disney films for people with certain hangups.

[disneyfella]

Are any Italians offended by Luigi & Guido? Are all stereotypes bad? If Lumiere is stereotyping anything, it is that the French are lovers. Is that bad? Should Disney not be allowed to use non-American actors or have non-American characters?!?

[Wall-e spoiler] Will overweight people complain about the way humans are depicted in Wall-e?{highlight to read) Are Hawaiians offended because not all Hawaiians surf? Are Canadians offended that Rutt & Tuke say "eh", because maybe not all Canadians actually say "eh". Are small-breasted women going to be offended that all of the post-puberty mermaids have big seashells?

I think that sometimes people have nothing better to do with themselves than to moan about little things like this. It's the slightest minority that complains, yet because of them, we all get affected...case in point: Song of the South. I'm not going to open this can of worms, but just because a small minority of the viewing public complained, the film isn't released.

Just because you don't see anything wrong with those stereotypes doesn't mean that someone out there wasn't hurt by it.

I'm not saying that the masses should bow to the scrutiny of the few, but rather I'm trying to understand the point of view of the 'complainers'.

Unfortunately, stereotypes are a fast way to explain a character. In a film that only has 90 minutes to introduce you to characters and tell a story with proper character development, sometimes it's easy just to cash in on a stereotype so that the audience can relate to a character. The problem, then, arises when those stereotypes are no longer generally accepted. It dates the film, and in retrospect can offend people.


Also, I think more than just a few people are offended by Song of the South. Way too many people think that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this film racially, and are more than happy to share it with their children regardless of putting it into context. The problem with that, then, is that we raise our children to believe that blacks were extremely happy as slaves. In fact they were usually one big happy family with their former white slave owners. This was obviously NOT true (as evidenced by the amount of slaves killed trying to run away, or simply killed at the whim of another person). Yes it is a happy film, but it becomes a slippery slope when the past is distorted or censored....it was NOT a happy time for black people.

Which takes me back to my initial 'p.s.'. I totally think that Song of the South should be released (I'm heavily against censorship outside of the family unit), as it reflects a period in out history where mistakes were made that we do NOT want to repeat. Also, it is a testament to how far we've come. We can talk about these things. We need to talk about these things.

I'm not sure why people are singling out "The Princess and the Frog" as an object of racism already. Is it simply because she is the first black Disney princess...and people are afraid that black people are too easily offended? I think that can easily be said about any culture (as evidenced by the many examples of complaints of stereotypes above). I, for one, look forward to seeing what Disney does with this character...and not trying to look for controversy before the thing even has a trailer out. What was it Pollyanna said, "If you look for the good in people, you are sure to find it."

[2099net]

Well, my complaint about Stereotypes are that they are 99% of the time used as lazy, storytelling shortcuts. Undoubtably, some are outright offensive, but that's not what we are talking about when discussing The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. So no, I don't think those films are racist. I just think that they (B&tB especially which is all stereotypes - yes, even Belle, The Beast, Gaston and Belle's father are all "genre" stereotypes (plucky heroine, spoilt child, arrogant "lover", absent-minded scientist) rather than "nationalistic" ones like the palace staff) are disproportinatly praised.

Now, if we were to discuss Pinocchio, I think the presentation of Stromboli (sp?) is racist. But Pinocchio is a product of it's time. I'm sure a character like Stromboli wouldn't find itself inside a Disney film of today.

[Soulbrotha432]

I'm surprised no one is offended at the stereotypical portrayal of Maleficent.... so Disney is saying that ALL evil witches/fairies have GREEN SKIN?? I'm outraged!

The truth people need to face is that stereotypes had to come from somewhere, so they need to get a grip. Real humans walk around every day who actually fit these stereotypes... whatchya gonna do, walk up to them and start a fight, hold them personally responsible for perpetuating the stereotype in question? It's hilarious! Sometimes I think all this racism nonsense is still existent is because people continue using the "racism card".

I've realised that most people who start so much commotion over children's movies, fantasy movies, fictional books, etc, angry that it's not portraying the "realistic view"... are just sour that they have no imagination.

[BelleGirl]

Now, if we were to discuss Pinocchio, I think the presentation of Stromboli (sp?) is racist. But Pinocchio is a product of it's time. I'm sure a character like Stromboli wouldn't find itself inside a Disney film of today.

Well, what 'race' is Stromboli actually? It's never really spelled out in the movie.

[Siren]

I remember a feminist group called Lion King sexist because Scar was forcing the lioness to hunt of him....HELLO...Have they ever watched Discovery Channel? A majority of the time the male lion lounges in the shade, the females do the hunting, make the kill, and then the male gets his arse off the grassland and chases off the female to get the lion's share. Mufasa and Simba likely rarely ever hunted. I couldn't believe the ignorance.

Some groups will find any small thing to attack. Even when the thing they are attacking doesn't even exist.

[Isidour]

wow...big deal...

As far as I know everyone has been called racist at least once in its life, EVEN GANDHI!

[Kendris]

I can't stand it either.

With the Princess and the frog, many AA people are complaining that Tiana was a chambermaid.

SO WHAT?

Cinderella was a chambermaid too. Why didn't they complain about that?
For white girls it's ok to be a chambermaid? Black girls can only be princesses?

That's kind of racist!

It's the AA people in this case that are making separations between races and create the gap.

Besides, Tiana is the leading character in a Disney Classic for heavens sake. She's a heroine anyway. What do they expect? Who cares about the job. Have you ever seen white people complaining about Cinderella's or Snow White's job?

As long as there are people behaving this way, the gap between races will stay. Even when all white people think everyone's equal, AA people will keep this alive with reactions as these.
I don't understand their longing for being seen as a separate group. Don't they want everyone to be equals?

The stories about Sebastian and Lumiere and Mrs. Potts are absolutely ridiculous.
Many white Disney characters have been ugly, fat, skinny, bad, had terrible singing voices, all the stereotypes are there.
Have you ever heard anyone complain?
So what's this all about?

I don't even think a majority of black people had a problem with Tiana (previously Maddy) being a chambermaid. A few can spoil it for the majority. I am glad for the name change only because Tiana has a better ring to it than Maddy (even though I know black women with the name Madison aka Maddy). I never saw what the big deal was over the chambermaid thing, especially since Cinderella was one.

That racist notion is just silly to me and this is coming from an AA woman.