My 11 year child has been asked to re write a Disney story of his choice but without the sexist/racist aspects. AIBU to write back..

[SecretsInSpitalfield]

That I will not have the teacher pushing her views on my child?

As far as he (and his younger DB) Disney has always been a POSITIVE thing! Fun films , cinema days and even a dream once in a lifetime trip to World Disney World.

I wouldn't have minded if they said 'do you think any Disney films are racist or sexist? If so, please elaborate why. But this has been set as if it's FACTUAL that they are and my child is just 11.

Please give me your honest opinions

Thank you 😊

I’ve never seen song of the south. What’s so bad about it?

I haven't watched Disney films for years, is Bambi sexist and racist?

As far as he (and his younger DB) Disney has always been a POSITIVE thing! Fun films , cinema days and even a dream once in a lifetime trip to World Disney World.

From what the OP has said about the assignment I don't think the teacher has said that Disney isn't to be enjoyed just that you shouldn't ignore the racism/sexism. I think 11 is a good age to be talking about these issues and it's good to start with something most kids of that age will know ie. Disney

What church said at 17:37

I also love OFAH. I am aware how racist and sexist it is. My 15yo ds is also aware. It's great conversation and great to help him see how times have changed.

However I have never noticed any sexism, or racism in Disney

You didn't notice the "Jim Crow" in Dumbo?

You didn't notice the exaggerated Asiatic facial features of the villains in Mulan?

You didn't hear the "Siamese If You Please" song in Lady and the Tramp?

Then you don't notice much, do you? Fortunately, the internet now provides a plethora of resources with which to educate yourself.

I think it sounds great! You could compare the older dodgier ones with the newer, more woke-ier ones like Moana and Coco and see how the treatment of minorities has evolved ...
I do like Disney films and the DSs have watched loads but some of them are well questionable!

Yabu they are sexist and racist and no I don't allow my children to watch them.

but obviously to children it goes over their heads. I would personally prefer to keep it this way as long as possible

It does not go over the heads of 11 year olds.

I am very pleased that the kids in the very diverse primary school my Dc attended were aware of what is and is not racist.

So much white privilege on this thread.

As an adult you can see sexism / racism in films but obviously to children it goes over their heads.

It doesn't "go over their heads". It gets imbibed by them and added to their understanding of how the world works. It embeds the same racism and sexism in their worldview. Not calling it out and thus giving them the tools to recognise and resist it harms them more. And I assure you, racism does not "go over black children's heads". It hurts them. But I guess none of that matters, as long as white people don't have to examine themselves.

However I have never noticed any sexism, or racism in Disney

In Song of the South, the crow is actually called Jim Crow, named after the laws with enforced segregation in America. They were still in place at the time the film was made.

Let the kids be kids and enjoy watching Disney. Their childhood is very short and there is plenty of years ahead of them to analyse everything when adults.

So I take it this teacher has bust your bubble, SecretsInSpitalfield?

I gather from your 'PC' post that you have been exposed to rather a lot of media featuring the notion of 'PC gorn mad'.

Get used to the idea that when it comes to media, critical thinking is a good thing.

I think it is a good exercise, no problem if my kids were set that in year 7. Shame that the teacher had to re-word it.

I have to say, as a child the racism did pass me (a white person) by. I was too young to understand the references, just like children miss all the ‘adult references’ (like Anna’s “shoe size doesn’t matter” comment in Frozen). But then on a rewatch it basically slaps you in the face. It’s not subtle.

The “Injuns” in Peter Pan
The Siamese Cats In Lady & the Tramp
The Crows In Dumbo

None of that is subtle. It reflects the attitudes of the time but when viewed for a modern lens and with more mature eyes, cannot be allowed to pass without comment.

So much white privilege on this thread.

THIS ^^ with bells on.

LOL: apparently Disney themselves have put warnings of racial stereotypes on their older films.

Depressing how many people would rather their white children internalised racist stereotypes than challenge them. Shame black children don't get the chance to pretend racism doesn't exist.

Don't be daft ... So they should live in an uncritical bubble until they are 18? What about the ones who - being female and/or non-white - get to find out about racism and sexism well before that?

Kind of off point but...Disney did not invent a number of these stories pp are complaining about...they are based on traditional fairy tales which are in some cases hundreds of years old so not really realistic to judge them by today's standards.

YABU! Surely it’s a GOOD thing to teach children to be critical of the messages in films and books?

As an adult you can see sexism / racism in films but obviously to children it goes over their heads.

Most 11yo girls would probably have no problem discussing Disney Princesses and the stereotyping of girls. Why do they all wear dresses (bar Jasmine)? Why are they all the same height? Wear dresses? Kiss someone in the movie? Why only one black princess? Why are the sidekicks (who often get the best jokes) generally male? Why are they thin? Never have a disability, wear glasses? Why does only one have short hair?

Cinderella... a girl trapped in an abusive, poverty background is only released from this by a rich , titled man.
Snow White... kissed while asleep and abandons the servile dwarves who took care of her , to go and live with a good-looking rich bloke,
Dumbo... the crows are considered racist.
Poor female roles are very beautiful but unpleasant male roles are hideous beasts.
I think that an 11year old is in a perfect position to challenge such concepts before social media stereotypes kick in at usually at around 12/13 + when at secondary school.
Nip it in the bud.
Traditional Disney fodder ( though there does seem to be some change) is becoming outdated and feel that the sooner that it is consigned to history, the better.

Song Of The South basically glorifies slavery as the good old days, and casts an elderly black man to be "grateful to his betters" the fact that they are SO embarrassed by it, they won't put it with the rest of their entire library with a well worded disclaimer should tell you everything you need to know

but obviously to children it goes over their heads. I would personally prefer to keep it this way as long as possible

Not that we asked for something like that to happen but I was barely older than the OPs son when our class watched 9/11 on TV which then needed to be discussed. I don't think 11 is that young and that at that age children are absorbing more than you think.

You didn't notice the "Jim Crow" in Dumbo?

Indeed! Also, you didn’t notice black men erecting the circus tent singing ‘we work all day, we work all night, we never learnt to read or write... we don’t know when we get our pay, and when we do we throw our pay away...’?

I think it’s a great assignment - she’s teaching them critical thinking.