Reading for Monday, November 29th

Being a very analytical person, I sometimes "over-think" things and read too much into them. Well, the author to "Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us: Critiquing Cartoons and Society," is being just that---too critical and analytical. I don't think it's fair to say that disney movies are implanting these sterotypes in our children's minds. Yes, the author makes a valid point that the disney princesses are usually one race with one specific body type, but there are other elements within the disney movies that should be celebrated and not critiqued. How about those awesome songs that inspire children to sing, dance, and play instruments? When I got a keyboard for christmas in middle school, one of the first pieces of sheet music that I bought was "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas. Now, do you think that I sat there analyzing the movie about the characters' body types, social class, or gender roles? No. The only thing I really remembered from the movie was the cute/funny animals and catchy songs. Most kids are like that. Most kids take away and remember the positive aspects of the movies. I don't think most children get their education on values and ethics from the cartoons they watch or the fairy tales they read. They are influenced by their parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, etc. There are other role models out there that make a greater impact on children's lives. Maybe we should be critiquing those kinds of role models and let fairy tales and children's stories remain just that---tales and stories!