Lack Of Ethnic Diversity In Disney Movies

Disney Tangled Part 2
Tangled was an entertaining eye opening illustration that included action, romance, comedy, that would be enough to keep the whole family entertained. Time and time again, Disney films are being criticized by the public because of the lack of ethnic diversity; this lack of ethnic diversity can be illustrated through the film titled Tangled. In 1995, Disney gave us Pocahontas and in the year of 1998 Disney had released Mulan. This showed the public that, Disney was in fact capable of creating films in which the lead protagonist was not white, however it wasn’t till more recently that racial diversity truly had taken stand when The Princess and the Frog (2009) was released. While, I applaud the efforts of Disney in attempting

to create more ethnically diverse films, I began to wonder if these princesses had maintained the same qualities as their counterparts, or if these princesses had been subjected to discrimination. Walt Disney was amazing in his focus point of what he expected from his films. What is truly amazing is that his films will continue to live long through our generations, and all the generations after us. However, this had me thinking, why didn’t the “white” princess gain any racial awareness? Would white privilege play a part in that?
We may criticize and hold Disney to a much higher standard, but it’s important to note that with great power comes even greater responsibility. Disney has in its ability to not only create the film, but also found a way to connect with each generation through selling of Disney merchandise using symbolism and his capability to deliver the Magic of Disney. Almost every little girl wants to be princess and in watching Disney films sends a message to young females allowing them to think that they would also like to become a princess when they grow up. In a sense we are allowing Disney to imitate what life should be like. Gender roles within the Disney’s films regarding princess continue to show how important the movies are interpreted by our children. It is almost as if they see the princess as role models. What type of message are they getting by watching these films? Disney’s princess enforce female gender roles are in tune with that of a Housewife: obedient, very nurturing also shown as cleaning and cooking. We need to think deeper and ask ourselves are the messages different for the diverse princess?
By observing the gender roles in the Disney princess characters it can be noted that the gender roles have evolved from the early 1900’s to the early 2000’s. To acknowledge that Disney was inspired by the era he was in and in most of his films he would imitate that most women were emotional, romantic, and passive. While the male were athletic, assertive, confident and stronger. When comparing the gender roles between the Disney princesses that are ethnic versus those who are white, one cannot help but to question whether race is tied with traditional gender roles. Through the social perspective, one of the first things that I have detected is that in the earlier years Disney’s animation on color women appeared to be more masculine; not your typical slender, blonde hair, and youth that the princess would appear as, but boxier, with a deeper voice and not as dainty.
Davis (Disney historian, culture theorist) studied women in Disney specifically through the animated films, by doing so she broke it down into three categories The Classic Years, The Middle Era and The Eisner Era.

The Classic Years, movies that were made during this time: “Snow White (1937), Cinderella (1950), Sleeping Beauty (1959), Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan (1953), 101 Dalmatians (1961).” (Amy M. Davis 2008) was describe as the binning years of Disney. The gender roles were typically for a male would be a tall, handsome and strong while the female, was the damsel in distress. When a female was shown, it would show her in a traditional role in doing house work, cleaning, and gardening, etc. The middle Era, Movies that were made during this time: “The Rescuers (1977), The Fox and the Hound (1981) and The Black Cauldron (1985).” (Amy M. Davis 2008) Took a deeper turn especially when Walt had past leaving Roy Disney to continue his work. The company started to go into debt and there were not many films that had been made. The women roles remained the same. Then there was The Eisner Era, the movies that were made during this time: Belle (1991), Mulan (1998), and Jane (1999).” Which was when Disney ramped up by creating more Disney films. Although, the turning point in these films in which allowing a leading female roles. When Walt Disney past away, Disney (the business) started to change with the times in allowing female have leading roles and releasing them to the public. During this time, Disney allow women to become dependent unlike the women from the Classic

Era.
We are born with genetic and biological traits. “Many scholars, both in the fields of psychology and in sociology, have described the process of self-development as a precursor to understanding how that “self” becomes socialized.” (William Little 2013) It is important that children gain the experience and that they get the just of what they are watching. This is how we learn, by observing. As parents we need to be able to filter and explain what they are seeing—After all they tend to imitate what they see.
By observing the past, individuals are able to interpret what we see and what general norms were like based on the era. From the beginning when we are born and what the color of our skin is, is something that we have no control of. Which makes each one of us unique and one of its kind. In reviewing gender roles, they are connected with racial identity of the character. Through the perspective that allow the individual to understand what the world is created. There are many ways to view racial, one of the ways is connecting the character with its roles and study the films. (USC Annenberg n.d.) Which is something that takes time to learn.
As we continue to see the changes within the Disney Princess characters we start to look at their gender and their race. As we continue to watch Disney films from the 1900’s through the 2000’s. One of the things that we will watch for is the traditional traits of how a character is portrayed. Viewing Disney princesses through their masculinity and also feminine behaviors, it is enticing to see how the character will develop based on these particular behaviors, characteristics, and appearance. Disney’s films such as The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Pocahontas (1995), Mulan (1998), The Princess and the Frog (2009), and Tangled (2010). What I find interesting is that each one is within its time. That each one has a special princess and that they are three from all of these that are diverse. Which would be Mulan, Pocahontas and Princess and The Frog (Tiana).
Over time what we hope for is that Disney will continue to change with the times and allow equal opportunities for our princesses and their characteristics. Disney needs to be held to a higher standard. Although, are we as society ready for a change or continue on a slow path of possibilities.