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 😊

Pushing your views on children doesn't sit well....

Really? Telling your child not to be racist or sexist doesn't sit well?

The early Disney films had a lot of racist and sexist elements, much like many of the fairy tales they were based on. The later ones are less so.
Would you have felt as strongly if the task had been ‘Rewrite a fairy tale without the racist and sexist elements’ ?
Or is it just that Disney is sacred and untouchable?

But Disney will have relevance for him because he will be familiar with it. If you can say 'I never thought of it that way before' then you are learning the skill of critical thinking. Mary Poppins would be a good one, as Mrs Banks has to hide her suffragette activities as it annoys the master. Or the admiral shouting 'hottentots' at the chimney sweeps

I think it is fine. An 11 year old boy (I have two teenage ones myself) knows more than you think. Is he in secondary school or primary still?

Some Disney films are very sexist. If I had a daughter I certainly would be talking to her about them. So why not engage boys too.

On a different genre I watched an old James Bond film the other night. He certainly didn’t worry about consent.

oh sure, must protect the poor boy's sensibilities and ensure he perpetuates misogynistic and racist views and never questions the status quo. think of the children!

Fantastic! Why can't I be this clever?!

Pocahontas where they call her family "savage" but I think in the end they get together don't they?

Disney has people posted in Samoa for a YEAR diligently capturing the way we live. I think it’s a positive story he could tell, the extensive process they went through to get it right.

So I take it everyone who has replied saying that it's FACTUAL and they are racist and sexist .. I'm assuming your DH has NEVER seen a Disney film? You've never been to Disney world ? Just wondering ...

I saw someone on twitter (maybe Toby Young? - well yes) laughing at this. and the usual it's pc gone mad type comments.

I actually think it's good homework and really important that all the disney (and other) stereotypes are challenged.

I love Disney and it is one of the reasons I am now an animator for a living. But to be fair there's loads of female subjugation especially in their earlier films and lots of racist undertones, from the gypsies in Pinocchio to characatures of black people eg "Jim Crow" and his gang of crows in Dumbo. It's healthy to look how women and people of colour are portrayed in these "childrens" films.

I think it's much worse to not address some of the stereotypes and just consume this stuff uncritically in our formative years, it took me a long time to untangle my own internalised misogyny. I think your teacher is actually teaching an incredibly valuable lesson. Send her a letter of thanks. :)

@icecreamsundae32 in fairness, he learned he was a racist idiot quite quickly. And he took a bullet for her dad.

He's 11. It's time he understood.

Haha DH! 🤣

Well your DH can apply too!

But I MEANT your CHILDREN

But let's pick on Disney ...

Why not? Everyone's probably seen a Disney film so they're accessible to all in the class. They're commonly portrayed as innocent and charming, so easy to push racist and misogynistic views. What would be better examples in your opinion?

This was doing the rounds on Twitter the other day

Escape to Witch Mountain etc they were the ones I loved as a kid so we don’t actually come across the princess/fairytale ones often luckily.

If anything I think arguing the point even if you do not believe it is also one of the objectives of this.

I always thought that Snow White was fairly liberated. Where else do you have a woman living with 7 chaps

Yes, cooking, cleaning and home-making for them whilst they all go and work down the mine.

Not really that liberating after all!!

It isn't 'picking on disney' it's just choosing an example of a group of films most people are aware of and highlighting that parts of them are now out of date and include things that are not acceptable. The exercise ensures your child understands why. It's a good thing and age appropriate. You sound more concerned about precious Disney than making sure your children grow up as good people.

@SecretsInSpitalfield you're kind of missing the point. Your DC, and indeed anyone's DCs, can enjoy disney. Doesn't change the fact there are racist and sexist Disney movies.



hope this link works

Yabu.
It comes as zero surprise to me that you have two boys.

There's racism in fucking Dickens

It doesn't mean Dickens is not one of THE writers and nobody should ever read Dickens ever again.

Historical Context is key

As is discernment

Nothing is so black and white as DISNEY IS MARVELLOUS. THE END. DISNEY MUST NEVER DARKEN MY DOOR. THE END. That isn't how stuff works.

I think DISNEY'S OWN choice of phrase "outdated depictions" is a very good one that probably took a long while to come up with

Yabu

Besides, Disney is improving so much now! Gay characters in Disney Channel shows, movies like Brave and Moana where the girl is the hero and they don't need a boy... it's getting better