Mickey Mouse Monopoly

This is an excerpt from a documentary I had to watch for one of my advertising classes, and I found it to relate perfectly to the subject of my blog: debates in Disney. 

The Mickey Mouse Monopoly is a documentary that takes a critical look at Disney's animated films and the stories they tell about race, gender and class. 

"The thesis of the video is that Disney's feature-length, animated films are inappropriate and potentially harmful for children under 5. The problem isn't just the content, which she says is often racist, sexist, and violent, but also Disney's ability to reach even into the crib to sell spinoff products," said Boston Globe writer, Barbara Meltz, in a press review. 

Before watching this video, I had no idea that people even thought of Disney as being racist or sexist. Being such a loyal Disney fan for my entire life, I could never imagine that anybody could think of their movies as anything other than innocent and fun. However, clips from multiple interviews are shown throughout the 52 minute film, and each one features a different person ranting about Disney corrupting young children. 

So, once again, the question arises: Is Walt Disney out to corrupt our nation's youth, or are paranoid parents being too overprotective of what their children watch?

Yes, it's true that most of the protagonists in Disney's animated films are attractive, white, and feminine (if it's a woman) or strong (if it's a male). However, that is our popular culture; it is not solely Disney and it cannot be blamed on one company or person.

Look at any movies, TV shows, commercials, advertisements, magazines, etc. Appearance is huge anywhere you look, and if you overanalyze it you could say that the majority of the media exposed to our youth today is "racist" and/or "sexist". According to the media, men are supposed to be manly and women are supposed to be feminine. Most famous actors and actresses are caucasian and attractive. I am not saying that this is how it should be, but as of right now, that is just the way Hollywood works. 

For this documentary, or anybody else, to say that Disney is to blame for corrupting our youth is blasphemy. Children watch Disney movies because they are fun, spark the imagination, and let the viewer enjoy the innocence of fairy tales and magic for an hour or two. 

Parents today try so hard to shelter their children from the realities of the world we live in. Not allowing a child in kindergarten to enjoy the epitome of innocence that is Disney, just because the protagonist is not a minority, is no way to raise our nation's youth. When I think back to my own childhood, Disney was such a huge part of growing up and I hope that doesn't change for the next generation.