Racism in Disney Movies
Disney movies are perceived as wholesome entertainment that is a part of every person's
childhood. When you think of Disney as a child you often think of princesses, princes and happily
ever afters. You don't think "racism" do you? Well its not expected that you would. Racism in
Disney movies is only relevant to people who understand what racism is. As a child you can't pick
out a character in a movie that has a different accent than the rest and pin point them as a racist
character. So you have to sit back and think; is Disney intentionally racist or are they simple
making movies for the sole entertainment for children. Deep down under all the love and life
lessons what really is the message that Disney is trying to say? Some argue that there is intentional
racism in many of the Disney movies.
Racist characters, statements, and gestures within Disney movies may mean little to children but
are often offensive to certain racial groups. People argue that minorities in Disney films
are portrayed as the "bad" guys or people that are not "normal.' Some people believe that there
are racial undertones hidden in some movies made by Walt Disney Animation. Some believe there
are simply racist characters. Not very often is Disney racist within the context of the movie, but
more within their characters.
Race/Ethnicity
Movie and characters
Explanation
Personal Opinion
Native Americans: Peter Pan
The Indians from the movie Peter Pan are very much racist to Native Americans. They are shown as
red skinned men in large headdresses singing and dancing around a fire. In one scene from the
movie Peter, Wendy, and the boys ask the Indians why do they ask you "how?" According to the
song, it's because the Native American always thirst for knowledge. Okay, that's not so bad, I guess.
Next they ask them What makes them red? The song states that a long time ago, an Indian blushed
red when he kissed a girl, and ever since it's been a part of their genetic make up. It seems they
are giving reasons to why they have a different skin color and that they used to be white but now
they are not considered "normal."
Asians: Lady and the Tramp
The Siamese cats from the movie the Lady and the Tramp have a very distinct Asian stereotype
look and feel to them. From their introduction, the two cats (Si & Am) are shown with slanted
eyes, extremely emphasized to show there difference from the other characters. Their use of the
English language is terrible and is directed towards obvious stereotypes of Asians as well. They are
also portrayed as cats which some people say are often seen as malicious, conniving and horrible
creatures that are always very mysterious and sneaky.
Native Americans: Peter Pan
The Indians from the movie Peter Pan are very much racist to Native Americans. They are shown as
red skinned men in large headdresses singing and dancing around a fire. In one scene from the
movie Peter, Wendy, and the boys ask the Indians why do they ask you "how?" According to the
song, it's because the Native American always thirst for knowledge. Okay, that's not so bad, I guess.
Next they ask them What makes them red? The song states that a long time ago, an Indian blushed
red when he kissed a girl, and ever since it's been a part of their genetic make up. It seems they
are giving reasons to why they have a different skin color and that they used to be white but now
they are not considered "normal."
Asians: Lady and the Tramp
The Siamese cats from the movie the Lady and the Tramp have a very distinct Asian stereotype
look and feel to them. From their introduction, the two cats (Si & Am) are shown with slanted
eyes, extremely emphasized to show their difference from the other characters. Their use of the
English language is terrible and is directed towards obvious stereotypes of Asians as well. They are
also portrayed as cats which some people say are often seen as malicious, conniving and horrible
creatures that are always very mysterious and sneaky.
African Americans: Jungle Book and Fantasia
Jungle Book: In 1967, in the Jungle Book, Disney decides to portray African Americans as
monkeys. All animals in the jungle speak in proper British accents. Except, of course, for the jivetalking, gibberish-spouting monkeys. King Louie sings a song about how he wants to be "normal" and
how he wants to be human. He sings, "I want to be like you. Oh, yes, it's true. I want to walk like
you, talk like you do. ... An ape like me can learn to be human, too." Some people believe that this
is referring to blacks as not normal and how they wish they were more like whites.
Fantasia: The centaur from Fantasia is one of Disney's most blatantly obvious racist characters.
She is depicted as darker than all the other centaurs, is wearing huge hoop earrings, and has
stereotypical African America features such as big lips and braided hair, and hoop earnings. Not
only is this character considered racist but she is also shown serving on the white centaur as some
sort of slave. This shows people Disney believed that even in a movie full of animals that whites
were superior to blacks.
African Americans: Jungle Book and Fantasia
Jungle Book: In 1967, in the Jungle Book, Disney decides to portray African Americans as
monkeys. All animals in the jungle speak in proper British accents. Except, of course, for the jivetalking, gibberish-spouting monkeys. King Louie sings a song about how he wants to be "normal" and
how he wants to be human. He sings, "I want to be like you. Oh, yes, it's true. I want to walk like
you, talk like you do. ... An ape like me can learn to be human, too." Some people believe that this
is referring to blacks as not normal and how they wish they were more like whites.
Fantasia: The centaur from Fantasia is one of Disney's most blatantly obvious racist characters.
She is depicted as darker than all the other centaurs, is wearing huge hoop earrings, and has
stereotypical African America features such as big lips and braided hair, and hoop earnings. Not
only is this character considered racist but she is also shown serving on the white centaur as some
sort of slave. This shows people Disney believed that even in a movie full of animals that whites
were superior to blacks.
African Americans: Jungle Book and Fantasia
Jungle Book: In 1967, in the Jungle Book, Disney decides to portray African Americans as
monkeys. All animals in the jungle speak in proper British accents. Except, of course, for the jivetalking, gibberish-spouting monkeys. King Louie sings a song about how he wants to be "normal" and
how he wants to be human. He sings, "I want to be like you. Oh, yes, it's true. I want to walk like
you, talk like you do. ... An ape like me can learn to be human, too." Some people believe that this
is referring to blacks as not normal and how they wish they were more like whites.
Fantasia: The centaur from Fantasia is one of Disney's most blatantly obvious racist characters.
She is depicted as darker than all the other centaurs, is wearing huge hoop earrings, and has
stereotypical African America features such as big lips and braided hair, and hoop earnings. Not
only is this character considered racist but she is also shown serving on the white centaur as some
sort of slave. This shows people Disney believed that even in a movie full of animals that whites
were superior to blacks.
Arabs: Aladdin
The opening musical sequence from Aladdin, which was released in 1992, had to be edited due to
protest from Arab-American groups. The opening song said, "I come from a land from a far away
place, where the caravan camels roam. Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face, it's
barbaric but, hey, it's home!" Also some say that Aladdin is more westernized than what he should
be. In a city full of Arabic men and women he is depicted as a midwestern-accented white male
with blue eyes. You are able to tell the difference when Aladdin is shown standing next to a more
ethnic looking Jafar, who just happened to be the villain in the story. Many people often use this
example when trying to prove that minorities in Disney movies are depicted as the bad guys and
how the main characters are often more "white" looking.
Arabs: Aladdin
The opening musical sequence from Aladdin, which was released in 1992, had to be edited due to
protest from Arab-American groups. The opening song said, "I come from a land from a far away
place, where the caravan camels roam. Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face, it's
barbaric but, hey, it's home!" Also some say that Aladdin is more westernized than what he should
be. In a city full of Arabic men and women he is depicted as a midwestern-accented white male
with blue eyes. You are able to tell the difference when Aladdin is shown standing next to a more
ethnic looking Jafar, who just happened to be the villain in the story. Many people often use this
example when trying to prove that minorities in Disney movies are depicted as the bad guys and
how the main characters are often more "white" looking.
Arabs: Aladdin
The opening musical sequence from Aladdin, which was released in 1992, had to be edited due to
protest from Arab-American groups. The opening song said, "I come from a land from a far away
place, where the caravan camels roam. Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face, it's
barbaric but, hey, it's home!" Also some say that Aladdin is more westernized than what he should
be. In a city full of Arabic men and women he is depicted as a midwestern-accented white male
with blue eyes. You are able to tell the difference when Aladdin is shown standing next to a more
ethnic looking Jafar, who just happened to be the villain in the story. Many people often use this
example when trying to prove that minorities in Disney movies are depicted as the bad guys and
how the main characters are often more "white" looking.
Arabs: Aladdin
The opening musical sequence from Aladdin, which was released in 1992, had to be edited due to
protest from Arab-American groups. The opening song said, "I come from a land from a far away
place, where the caravan camels roam. Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face, it's
barbaric but, hey, it's home!" Also some say that Aladdin is more westernized than what he should
be. In a city full of Arabic men and women he is depicted as a midwestern-accented white male
with blue eyes. You are able to tell the difference when Aladdin is shown standing next to a more
ethnic looking Jafar, who just happened to be the villain in the story. Many people often use this
example when trying to prove that minorities in Disney movies are depicted as the bad guys and
how the main characters are often more "white" looking.
African Americans: Dumbo
The movie Dumbo which was made in 1941, was only the fourth Disney movie ever made. The
crows are very specifically depicted as poor and uneducated. They're constantly smoking and they
wear hats and clothing that make us assume they can't afford nice things. The main crow in this
film was originally named Jim Crow due to the fact that they were at least somewhat inspired by
stereotypical African Americans at the time. Jim also contently refers to the other crows as his
"bothers." This was even more proof that the crows were trying to portray blacks with their
stereotypical southern black speech. Disney later changed the crows name to Dandy to avoid racial
insults.
In one of the opening scenes of Dumbo, faceless black men are setting up circus tents. The fact
that they have no face some people believe that Disney is saying that all blacks don't have an
identity and goes on portraying them as a group of laborers rather than real individuals. While
these men are doing immense physical labor, early in the morning, in the rain, they sing a song
that is one of the most racist songs in Disney history. In the song, the African American workers
sing verses such as, “We work all day, we work all night, we never learned to read or write. We
work all night, we work all day, and can’t wait to spend our pay away” and “We slave until we’re
almost dead; we’re happy-hearted roustabouts.” This portrayal of African Americans as illiterate
and happy with their social status is a dangerous message to send to young children. This message
shows that blacks are inferior and that they are aware of it. It also states that they are happy
about it.
African Americans: Dumbo
The movie Dumbo which was made in 1941, was only the fourth Disney movie ever made. The
crows are very specifically depicted as poor and uneducated. They're constantly smoking and they
wear hats and clothing that make us assume they can't afford nice things. The main crow in this
film was originally named Jim Crow due to the fact that they were at least somewhat inspired by
stereotypical African Americans at the time. Jim also contently refers to the other crows as his
"bothers." This was even more proof that the crows were trying to portray blacks with their
stereotypical southern black speech. Disney later changed the crows name to Dandy to avoid racial
insults.
In one of the opening scenes of Dumbo, faceless black men are setting up circus tents. The fact
that they have no face some people believe that Disney is saying that all blacks don't have an
identity and goes on portraying them as a group of laborers rather than real individuals. While
these men are doing immense physical labor, early in the morning, in the rain, they sing a song
that is one of the most racist songs in Disney history. In the song, the African American workers
sing verses such as, “We work all day, we work all night, we never learned to read or write. We
work all night, we work all day, and can’t wait to spend our pay away” and “We slave until we’re
almost dead; we’re happy-hearted roustabouts.” This portrayal of African Americans as illiterate
and happy with their social status is a dangerous message to send to young children. This message
shows that blacks are inferior and that they are aware of it. It also states that they are happy
about it.
Latin Americans: Oliver and Company
It seems that Latinos are constantly portrayed as chihuahua's. Oliver and Company is the story of a
kitten that is taken in by a gang of dogs that survive the streets by stealing and causing mischief.
The main theme of Oliver and Company is the importance of friendship and loyalty, but this is not
portrayed through a specific character. Tito is a Latino Chihuahua whose main role in the movie is
humor. He is the center of many funny scenes, but some of his lines are supposed to be funny not
because of what he says but because of how he says them. His Latino accent is over-dramatized
and is supposed to be funny, which suggests that a Latino accent is not "normal" when it comes
to New York City where the story takes place. Another way this film is being racist towards Latinos
is shown merely by Tito’s actions. His job and sole purpose within the gang is to steal cars. Disney
is basically saying that they believe that Latinos should be portrayed as troublemakers
and delinquents that can not be trusted. Some people have the belief that when minorities possess
different and unequal traits in is considered racism, but is it really?
Latin Americans: Oliver and Company
It seems that Latinos are constantly portrayed as chihuahua's. Oliver and Company is the story of a
kitten that is taken in by a gang of dogs that survive the streets by stealing and causing mischief.
The main theme of Oliver and Company is the importance of friendship and loyalty, but this is not
portrayed through a specific character. Tito is a Latino Chihuahua whose main role in the movie is
humor. He is the center of many funny scenes, but some of his lines are supposed to be funny not
because of what he says but because of how he says them. His Latino accent is over-dramatized
and is supposed to be funny, which suggests that a Latino accent is not "normal" when it comes
to New York City where the story takes place. Another way this film is being racist towards Latinos
is shown merely by Tito’s actions. His job and sole purpose within the gang is to steal cars. Disney
is basically saying that they believe that Latinos should be portrayed as troublemakers
and delinquents that can not be trusted. Some people have the belief that when minorities possess
different and unequal traits in is considered racism, but is it really?
Latin Americans: Oliver and Company
It seems that Latinos are constantly portrayed as chihuahua's. Oliver and Company is the story of a
kitten that is taken in by a gang of dogs that survive the streets by stealing and causing mischief.
The main theme of Oliver and Company is the importance of friendship and loyalty, but this is not
portrayed through a specific character. Tito is a Latino Chihuahua whose main role in the movie is
humor. He is the center of many funny scenes, but some of his lines are supposed to be funny not
because of what he says but because of how he says them. His Latino accent is over-dramatized
and is supposed to be funny, which suggests that a Latino accent is not "normal" when it comes
to New York City where the story takes place. Another way this film is being racist towards Latinos
is shown merely by Tito’s actions. His job and sole purpose within the gang is to steal cars. Disney
is basically saying that they believe that Latinos should be portrayed as troublemakers
and delinquents that can not be trusted. Some people have the belief that when minorities possess
different and unequal traits in is considered racism, but is it really?