To start I would like to make very clear – I have nothing against Design Studies or Hamid Van Koten. I was fairly disappointed in this lecture truth be told.

First off, It wasn’t at all what I was expecting – I was expecting to get some deep intellectual crap about how Disney is brainwashing children and making people have unrealistic expectations, the things we’ve all heard before.

However the most likely topic of debate I gathered from this lecture was more towards the stereotypes Disney ensues such as women frequently being in the kitchen, cleaning or the typical female character. However, taken into consideration the context most of these stories are adapted from, this isn’t a sexist subliminal message – this is the norm.

For example, Beauty and the Beast – back in that day and age it groundbreaking for a woman to be educated and to choose her own suitor, what more do people expect?

This isn’t a rant directly about the lecture, I’m more worked up about Disney itself !

I was brought up watching Disney movies, singing Disney songs and buying Disney merchandise – Truth be told – It did nothing but a world of good! By rooting back to my childhood and the massive influence Disney had on me, I can honestly say that films like Beauty and The Beast encouraged me to read and be educated, and The Little Mermaid taught me that despite adversity one voice can make a big difference. Whether periodical stereotypes are evident or not – these types of positive influences are vital in the early stages of childhood and growth.

Those so-called racist/sexist subliminal messages or hidden meanings are all rubbish if you ask me. The bad can be found in anything if you look hard enough – The good however, is staring right in your face!

I love Disney and if anything I appreciate it more.

Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust ♥

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