Talking Points #5 on Christensen

"Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us" by Linda Christensen

This article is about:

• the prejudices shown in movies and cartoons
• how these prejudices have shaped American culture
• the subtle bits of racism and other things in movies and cartoons
• arguements against such cartoons and movies
• how to find the bad points in modern movies

Author's Arguement:

Linda Christensen argues that old/new movies and cartoons shaped the way that children see their world and the peoples in it.

Evidence:

1. "Many students don't want to believe that they have been manipulated by children's media or advertising." (pg. 128) Using the word manipulated shows that the author believes that there is more to these cartoons and movies and things then meets the eye upon initial viewing.
2. "After viewing a number of cartoons, Kenya scolded parents in an essay, 'A Black Cinderella? Give Me a Break.' She wrote: 'Have you ever seen a black person, an Asian, a Hispanic in a cartoon?'" (pg. 131) The author's subject, Kenya, is clearly upset by this fact that she is pointing out, as well she should be, because it is a very true fact, most of the time...
3. "Catkin wanted to publish her piece in a magazine for young women so they would begin to question the origin of the standards by which they judge themselves." (pg. 137) That would probably help the number of girls suffering from eating disorders and various other problems due to a low self-image.

Comments:
Ok, I can see and agree with many of the points in these paragraphs... however I do have a few bones to pick...

First off, I want to know why Peter Pan is seen as a key teaching tool for little kids? It didn't really say in the article, and I sure as hell haven't seen any little kids throwing dirt on their heads and trying to fly to Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch... so clearly they're not learning how to fly with faith and trust and a little bit of pixie dust...

Second, I totally agree with the fashion thing... I don't wear name brand unless I can help it, although I am very partial to Glo jeans... but its more because they actually fit me without a. falling off or b. having to be hemmed. But seriously, little babies don't need to be wearing Roca Wear... that's just rediculous... paying 50 something dollars for a pair of size .02 Timby's.... which they are going to outgrow ANYWAY

Ok, the next thing about the stereotyping comment in media... the only thing that could come to mind was Charlie Chaplin's film "Modern Times". Charlie Chaplin is the lead character, playing a hobo-ish persona... how can you say that most white men are portrayed as the rich ones? This poor little dude suffers so much in that one film... clearly he isn't subject to the white privilege... so not all media is like that... at least not all older media...

The bit about an African-American Cinderella? It's been done! There was that movie (produced by Disney I believe) that had Brandi as the lead lady... doing exactly what the cartoon Cinderella does. I don't remember precisely what it was called... for some reason Ever After comes to mind but that's the one with Drew Barrymore I think, but it has been done. And what about Aladdin? That Disney cartoon clearly wasn't your average "fair skinned" princess... Jasmine was of a more olive complexion, and she is still one of Disney's six Princesses. Clearly that just makes her the more special one (she's always been one of my favorites... Cinderella is over rated anyway).

The part about the Cinderella with "big hips" and wearing the "dazzling gold sandles" was rather amusing. It brought into mind the movie Phat Girls, which I loved, because it showed that big girls are beautiful too. In that movie, two Nigerian men choose the two larger of the three girls, arguing amongst themselves in Nigerian on who gets the third, the "toothpick" who "is obviously sick". Big girls should love themselves, cuz one of my best friends is a big girl, and she's damn proud!!! Heart you mucho my friend :)

But yes I agree that it is very true that kids learn a lot from what they see in the media. There's even a Disney group on facebook dedicated to it called "Disney gave me unrealistic expectations about love." (which i agree with and am a member of lol) But isn't to find the guy what most girls have dreamt of throughout history? Regardless of the media? Think about it, we didn't even have T.V. in older times where a girls fondest wish was to find the man of her dreams and settle down... yes i'll admit its mine too... even though i haven't exactly found that dream man...