Blog 4

Argument

In the article by Linda Christensen titled, “Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us”, she argues that there is a certain type of “secret education” in children’s books and movies. She believes these medias are instructing young people to accept the world as what they portray it to be. Things such as having one dominant sex and a weaker sex, and one dominant race countering a weaker race. The author provides some profound examples of where such “secret education” is present. In regard to racism, this bigoted ideology is brought about at a detrimental age. These racist beliefs are subliminally drilled in to the minds of young children whom have little opportunity to interact with people outside of their families, never mind people of different backgrounds. Because of this reason, they receive second hand information, and they accept these as truths without first-hand experience.

The author also argues that in order to unlearn these untruths, two things must happen: firstly, one must critique the portrayals of inequality in children’s’ movies, and secondly, one must try to imagine a more just world, one containing respect and equality.  In order to observe these stereotypes, one must observe how they are being presented. Examples include analyzing character roles; who is playing the lead, who is the “idiot”, who is the servant, how the film portrays overweight people, and what roles do money, possessions and power play in the film?

I agree with what the author says in that as children, there is indeed a “secret education” about roles in society. The author gives some great examples on how this is done. In the old “Popeye” movies, Arabs are portrayed as thieves with turbans all animated with the same faces. A more recent example, “The Little Mermaid” depicts the villain Ursula as ugly and overweight, whereas Ariel is dependent on a man. The classic princesses are all white whereas nowadays, there is more diversity in the princesses. Although I believe this shows a huge step forward in the right direction, I believe there is still much more progress to be made.