Ethnocentrism
in Disney?
Reminder…
Ethnocentrism is…
The belief that one’s own culture or ethnic
group is superior to another’s.
Judging another culture based on your own
culture.
Think about it
While you are watching think about…
• Who created the movie/show? Is there any bias
from the creator?
• Who are the voices portraying the characters?
• Listen carefully to the lyrics to songs, in dialogue,
etc.
• Look at the physical appearance and
representation of various characters.
Aladdin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPUAhSGZtvU
Listen carefully to the lyrics…
Did you notice the lyrics? Are they different from what you
remember?
Original Lyrics:
Revised Lyrics:
Oh I come from a land, from a
faraway place,
Where the caravan camels roam
Where they cut off you ear
If they don’t like your face
Its barbaric, but hey its home
Oh I com from a land, a faraway
place,
Where the caravan camels roam
Where it’s flat and immense
And the heat is intense
Its barbaric, but hey its home
The Little Mermaid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPQVrjnC1jo
How is this ethnocentrism?
Dumbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v2exWrsGOc
What stereotype are the crows portraying?
Does anyone know what the name of the “lead” crow is?
Lady and the Tramp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDIT4jqeh7Q
What stereotypes are being portrayed?
What are their characteristics?
Jungle Book
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZjZn6ABaK8
Who wrote the Jungle Book?
What else did he write?
Peter Pan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_at9dOElQk
How do the Native American characters physical
characteristics differ from Caucasian characters?
Do you notice anything about any of the physical
characteristics of the female characters?
The Bad Guys
What do you notice?