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Some of the most prevalent kinds of oppression today is race, sexism, and classism.
Through the course of history, it was our own ancestors who started oppression battling and fighting for relief of such unjustified feelings. People have categorized those different for centuries...
It is wrong to do this but it happens nonetheless... whether in society, or at home, we are influenced in some way or another.
Considering the fact that this is an Early CHILDHOOD blog, I must point out a few childhood movies that I find closely related to bias, prejudice, and oppressive behaviors...
1) Remember the movie Pocahontas (1995)? "All the colors of the wind".... Yes, Pocahontas and John Smith were categorized and grouped by their own people due to different colored skins which interfered with friendships -and love. There is no telling how accurate the true story of Pocahontas went down back in the 14th century but racism was and still is a major downer. It is made in movies that influence young children audiences so what have we learned as children and how do we teach our children about race and effects of racism?
2) Mulan (1998) was a kick butt movie if you ask me... When the Huns were out to invade the Chinese Empire it was Mulan who braved the dangers disguising herself as a male warrior to save her father from battle. This movie shows sexism where women were NOT allowed to assume roles for men because men have power -superiority. Women are pressured to marry, become housewives, and tame the children, not go off to war! Sexism should not dictate heroism and who a hero should be if you ask my opinion...
3) Lastly, the movie Trolls (2016) is a movie about two trolls, Poppy and Branch, who go on an adventure to save Poppy's friends. This movie is a prime example of oppression simply because the trolls were oppressed trying to find "true colors" when the King wants to eat every troll. I see classism (rich versus poor) here...
Whatever the story is, the experience, using imagination, or looking at our history people witness or become oppressed at some point. Of course I can mention an experience or two of bias, prejudice, or oppression but I find it important to mention that, as children, what we grow up watching on TV influences how we feel toward others in a diverse society, in a classroom, or even as adults. It is just a a matter of recognizing the influences and making sure children know the causes and effects of bias, prejudice, and oppression that can lead to racism, sexism, and classism (to name a few)...
Works cited
Bancroft, T., Cook, B. (Director). (1998). Mulan [Motion Picture]: Walt Disney Pictures
Mitchell, M. (Director). (2016). Trolls [Motion Picture]: Dream Works
Pentecost, J. (Producer). (1995). Pocahontas [Motion Picture]: Walt Disney Pictures
Dear Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteBRILLIANT !!! I would have never thought to bring up the example from the child movie. Indeed, the children will get a lot by watching movie and all the technology exist now. The adults around them (not only the responsibility from the parents only) should think about the effect to the children. Thank your for the post, I keep it as a reminder for me too.
Best wishes,
Diah Putri Pramiandari
Thank you Diah. Every once in a while I come up with something clever. :) But really, we are ALL influenced by what we observe, what we hear, what we watch.... this starts at birth! What we feed children effects who they grow to be and movies do have the bias attitudes if we actually pay attention. I just had to see if my thoughts were clear this week...
DeleteCassandra Richards
I love all the videos you used to represent this weeks posting. I had never looked at Pocahontas that way. There are several cultural issues and aggressions that exist within that movie. What can we teach our children about the past? We as a society seem to continue to repeat the same or similar mistakes?
ReplyDeleteHello Kaylla,
DeleteI believe if we continue to teach children the past and the battles that were held, faced, achieved, lost we can show children the possibilities of positive outcomes despite frustrations. Remaining positive and keeping children on track toward the good in society then their growth will be effective. Isms and discriminations don’t cycle as much as they have...
Thank you for the feedback,
Cassandra Richards
Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your blog. I must admit that when I watched some of these movies is previously, I just looked at it at the surface level. Never really thought much about some of the underlying entities.. I have been enlightened since reading your blogs. It's amazing that even within cultures there are still biases regarding skin colors. Some African-Americans fare better if they are of a lighter complexion. Sexism as you talked about in the movie Mulan, is still relevant today women and men are held back from some job position because of their gender.
Thanks for your post.
Angela.
Thank you Angela. It’s not all about the -isms that I focused on but I like that Disney used different cultures to tell a story. It’s changed the idea that all Disney princesses are white. Mulan shows a different culture which is what I like and that ALL women are beautiful. It shows bravery and respect. Which helps a child’s psychological development.... This blog made me think! I am glad it enlightened others too!
DeleteCassandra Richards
sorry if my comment comes up twice , but I really like how you used these Disney classics to express certain topics. Such as sexism and racism in the movie Pocahontas. also i use the mvoie mulan to for way to understand sexism and how she wasnt repsected jsut because she was a women. i also like how you added trolls as example of oppression .
ReplyDeleteTwo responses is better than no response. Lol. Thank you for the feedback Meaghan!
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