Princesses on the Runway

One of my friends recently posted this image on Facebook and I couldn't resist sharing it with you all. It depicts the Disney princesses in the popular fashions of the year in which their movie came out. Can you still tell which princess is which? They do look quite different!

I like to think of myself as a "Disney child"-- growing up, my brother and I had a fairly large collection of Disney VHS tapes that we would watch regularly. While I still vividly remember details from my favorite films such as Peter Pan and The Lion King, though I haven't seen them for a whole decade, I have no recollection whatsoever of certain films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I'm certain that I have seen this film before, and talking to my mother reinforced this belief. However, when I sat down to screen it this weekend, I realized that I had absolutely no memories pertaining to this film. It was essentially an entirely new experience for me, which was all the more exciting. Yet, as I began to watch the story of Quasimodo, Esmeralda, Phoebus, and Frollo unfold in front of my eyes, my excitement quickly turned into astonishment.
To be entirely honest, I was not at all impressed with the film, and genuinely appalled by the first half. In particular, I found the lyrics of the songs, constantly referring to Quasimodo as a "monster" and other  harsh, derogatory terms, to be especially disturbing and unexpectedly so, considering that the film is meant for children. I strongly agree with Martin F. Norden when he states in his criticism ""You're a Surprise from Every Angle": Disability, Identity, and Otherness in The Hunchback of Notre Dame" that "the film seems to preach acceptance of society's Others but is in fact an embodiment of bogus "political correctness"". Though the happy ending is identifiably "Disney" and preaches the cliche of accepting others not for their external appearance but their inner character, this resolution does not sufficiently discredit the blatantly biased, critical portrayal of Quasimodo throughout most of the film. Yes, he gains acceptance by the community for his rescue of Esmeralda and protection of the cathedral, but the evidence throughout the film implies that this acceptance is conditional-- if he had truly been integrated into society, why does Esmeralda end up with Phoebus? The resolutions of most Disney films are distinctly characterized by heterosexual relationships, so it is all the more significant that Quasimodo ends up alone and partnerless. Thus, Disney's ultimate message does not equate disabled people with normal, functioning members of society but merely elevates them past the status of children. Personally, I believe that Disney made a mistake in attempting to adapt such a classic, dark tale into a child-friendly animated film. Not all works of literature are meant to be "Disney-fied". Though I do not believe that The Disney Company had ill intentions, the oversimplification that is so characteristic of Disney films (and understandably so, given the target audience) ultimately rendered this film offensive towards people with disabilities.

Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Hijab: Common Western Misinterpretations of Muslim Culture

Erin Addison's article titled "Saving Other Women from Other Men: Disney's Aladdin" explores the film's stereotypes in relation to gender roles. In particular, Addison criticizes the popular belief that Western culture is preferable for women than restrictive Muslim practices. I found one argument in the article to be especially interesting: "Jasmine's tangled personae epitomize the confused Euramerican interpretation of hijab as imprisonment by Muslim men". Like many Americans, I am largely ignorant of the religious and cultural meanings tied to the hijab, equating it with oppression because that is how it is portrayed in the media. Thus, in this blog post I will seek to debunk myths associated with the hijab-- myths that, according to Addison, contribute to the false depiction of Middle Eastern culture in Aladdin.
While the hijab can indeed be viewed as a vehicle through which women are repressed in certain countries such as Saudi Arabia that mandate its use, many Muslim women also consciously choose to wear the hijab as an indication of their faith. The hijab is inextricably linked to the Islamic belief that women should present themselves modestly, encompassing not only their style of dress but also their general demeanor. Covering other parts of the body (except hands, feet, and face) is just as important as covering the head; the hijab is not especially significant as mandated by the Qu'ran, but rather has gained prominence as a symbol that distinguishes Muslim women from women of other faiths. Though the hijab is often viewed by Westerners as an object that limits freedom, Muslim women choose to wear it for a myriad of reasons. Contrary to our beliefs, some Islamic women view the hijab (and the modest style of dress that accompanies it) as liberating in that it allows them to be appreciated and valued for their minds rather than their physical beauty. All of this knowledge helps to shed light upon aspects of Islamic culture that we, as Americans whom celebrate traits such as individuality that seem at odds with modesty, have trouble grasping. Only by looking past these cultural barriers can we hope to begin to understand some of the immense differences that characterize the various belief systems within our world. Films such as Aladdin, though entertaining and seemingly harmless, play a large role in perpetuating misperceptions. Perhaps the time has come for us to reconsider the notion that "The American Way" is always the best way.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Islam/Galleries/Why-the-Hijab.aspx

Mulan: My Alter Ego?

My friends back home have an ongoing joke that I resemble Mulan from the popular Disney animated movie. While going through my old pictures, I recently discovered this gem that I was forced to pose for, against my will. Looking back though, it's pretty funny so I thought I would share it with you all! Enjoy!