Unlearning the myths that blind us

Linda Christensen Discusses in "Unlearning the myths that blind us" how children books like fair tales and movies and cartoons are so influential to how children portray a "perfect life". Christensen mentions that two parents Kenya and Sabrina go off on a rampage about how Disney does not have any leading characters who aren't white. Sabrina wrote in an essay that she will not take her children to see a Walt Disney movie unless there is a leading character of a different race other than white. Kenya mentions " Women who aren't white begin to feel left out and ugly because they never get to play the princess" . Being a hispanic young women This figure of speach made me happy that i wasn't the only one who thought this way. When i was younger I loved Disney movies my favorites were The Lion King, Peter pan, Lady and the tramp,Bambi, & Lilo and  Stitch. I had all of those films on the VCR or DVD. I watched princess movies but i didn't own any. My family never bought me princess movies,i was such an animal lover that they thought i was happy with films about animals which I was.But after reading this piece by Christensen I asked my mother this weekend " Why didn't we own any princess movies when i was younger?" and her response was shocking yet understandable now that I am a young adult. She said " Honestly Alexi, there were only princess movies about white girls, asian, native american, and arab.We didn't want you to question why there wasn't any hispanic princesses, and I don't regret not buying princess things because look, after 20 years there still isn't any hispanic princess or character who isn't a servant or help, your aunt and I loved your fascination with animals, dogs dinosoures, you loved every character in the Lion king. You saw princess movies with your friends or even when they aired on TV but we just didn't want to buy you something we didn't agree on" After this discussion I thanked my mom because today I am a young hispanic women who doesn't think She needs to be rescued by a prince or needs a crown or thinks just because there isn't a spanish princess I'm ugly. I am the biggest animal lover in the world and I'd pick animals over being a princess any day.  


After 20 years on this earth Disney has finally came to their senses !!!It may not be a big role movie but it is a start !!!!

"All hail Elena! Disney has created its first Latina princess — meet Elena of Avalor! The adorable new royal will make her official debut in 2016, during a special episode of Sofia the First, Disney Junior’s hit show for preschoolers.

PHOTOS: Celebs are Disney princesses!

Princess Elena, who wears a red ruffled dress and is adorned with hoop earrings and a flower garnish in her long dark hair, “is a confident and compassionate teenager in an enchanted fairy tale kingdom inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore,” the network said in a statement on Thursday, Jan. 29. She’s “bold, caring, funny, and clever” and is "the ascendant to the throne in the fairy tale kingdom of Avalor."

PHOTOS: Celebs at Disney

"Our creative team has delivered a universal story with themes that authentically reflect the hopes and dreams of our diverse audience,” Nancy Kanter, Disney Junior’s Executive Vice President and General Manager said in the statement. "What excites us most is the chance to use distinctive animation and visual design to tell wonderful stories influenced by culture and traditions that are familiar to the worldwide population of Hispanic and Latino families and reflect the interests and aspirations of all children as told through a classic fairy tale."

Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/disneys-first-latina-princess-elena-of-avalor-introduced-picture-2015291#ixzz3TiEL812d
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LGBT

Speaking the unspeakable in forbidden places: addressing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the primary school by Alexandra Allan, Elizabeth Atkinson, Elizabeth Brace, Rene ́e DePalma* and Judy Hemingway was a very eye opening story about stories where teachers had to teach about LGBT in certain situations like the classroom or between other teachers.  A part in this story that stood out to me was the way Laura tried to explain the prince's love story issue about how he didn't want a princess, he wanted a prince and she let the class give their ideas as to why, and they all ( expect for 1 or 2) reacted in a non negative way to the fact that they were figuring out why he should have a prince and not a princess.  The class did not turn into negative pupils they were helpful for the prince. I imagined my future classroom being helpful for someone who just wants to be happy and not judgmental. I thought it was really heartwarming that the classroom wanted to help the prince charming find his not princess but prince. Also when Laura changed her character to "Cindy" a lesbian, i enjoyed how she didn't want to make the character too girly and pretty in pink. She wanted to make a statement that not all women are pretty in pink and not all lesbians look like men. The way she handled the questions from her students about "if she is gay" was really honest and professional. They should know that their awesome fun cool caring teacher is gay, that way they know gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people aren't bad in any form, because the students personally know someone who is  "gay". I personally don't like to think about my teacher's sexuality preferences, i believe that their personal life should be kept personal and their professionalism should be kept professional as well, but if a teacher was ever to give the class a heads up they are LGBT, good for them for letting us know and making us feel comfortable and giving the people who don't feel comfortable the opportunity to choose their educators, even though their sexuality should not matter. I think if a teacher does not straight out tell their class about their sexuality then that means it is not technically off limits to talk about but they prefer for their students to judge them off of their professional work.