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         Disney movies are a beloved collection in most homes. The first animated and talking film produced by Walt Disney Inc. was Snow White in 1937. Walt Disney has produced an estimate of 45 animated movies. Some of the most popular ones are: Pinocchio (1940), Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan (1953), Sleeping Beauty (1959), The Jungle Book (1967), The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Lion King (1994), Tarzan (1999) and Lilo and Sticth (2002). Many of these movies have won prestigious awards, like the Academy Award (The Oscar) and the Annie Award, as Best Animated Films, Best Songs, Lyrics or Music. Most of Disney animated films have portrayed stereotypical gender roles and bias in terms of race. For example, men are generally depicted as masculine and strong whereas women are shown as sensible, weak, and dependent of a male figure. Regarding racial bais, Disney has shown a moderate progress in including ethinc heroes and heroines like Aladdin (1992), Pocahontas (1995), and an Asian-American female figure like Mulan (1998). However, this films contain many racist remarks and distortioned protrayal of other cultures. It is important to note that at the end of this year (2009), Disney will be introducing its first African-American princess to America. We consider that Walt Disney can improve its future media productions by taking a multicultural and anti-bias/racist approach.       

The Purpose of this WIKI Site

            Media sources like television and movies influence the way individuals behave and perceive society. In particular, children have become one of the most targeted groups in marketing, television programming, and movies. As a result, children learn from what the media presents to them. In American society, one of the most known sources of media is Disney and its movies. In our collaborative project, we will conduct research on how Disney movies have influenced the way children perceive whiteness and racism. Each group member will select one Disney movie and do an in-depth study on its portrayal of whiteness and minorities.    

          Additionally, every group member will provide a brief summary of the film and she will identify portrayals of stereotypes and class hierarchical structures.  We will concentrate on racist depiction of characters, caricatures, whiteness, and racist dialogues. We will also pay close attention to the musical productions and lyrics of the songs in search of any subtly racial implications. We realize that the films have undergone editing over time, so we will research any editing done pertaining to race. Lastly, we will consider and give accounts on how these movies have influenced our perceptions and how its ramifications may be still be part of our daily lives. It will also be an essential part of our project to consider how we can change this trend to educate children on anti-racist practices and fairness among different groups.