sincerelysenorita

[sincerelysenorita]

Final Project: Female Icons in Disney

For generations now Disney films and series have had female leads that it’s viewers, young and old have adore. From Snow White to Moana, Disney Princesses inspire but also give way to stereotyping its females in their films. Many different factors impact the stereotypes from age to race in their respectively stories. “Disney’s cocktail of morality, stereotypes and a sprinkling of magic had any lasting impact on this generation of adults who, once upon a time, devoured these films as children? And could it be influencing how your colleagues behave in the workplace or even your future career?” (Martyn Griffin) Why are the antagonists in princess stories either ugly stepsisters or old witches & fairies? However, through the years we have seen a shift of Disney princess &leads going from damsels in distress to becoming their own hero being able to save themselves with no outside help needed.

When watching some Disney princess films, you start to notice different tropes and similar patterns of how most the girls in Disney grow up motherless. Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Ariel & many others do not have mother or a positive older woman figure to look for guidance. “In shorthand, it's much quicker to have characters grow up when you bump off their parents. Bambi's mother gets killed, so he has to grow up." [Don Hahn]. By not having a mother/parent to help guide them in their life/quests they are force to take responsibility for themselves but others as well.

In contrast the Disney movie “Brave” tells the story of princess Merida with her mother that is forcing her to get married against her wishes. Merida decides to run away from home to keep her freedom which leads her to find a witch who can change her fate. However, this turns out to be a mistake because the potions that was supposed to change her fate, give her freedom turned her mother into a bear! We see Merida and her mother struggle to undo the spell bringing them closer together to find a compromise to problem.

Her story is one of the few that shows a full family and how they all impact one another life.

The result of this shows that princesses that come from broken families can still find happiness on their own from the friends they meet on their journey but within themselves as well. The best Disney story example of this is in movie “Frozen” where two sister princesses Elsa and Anna lost their parents at a young age and only have each other to rely on. Elsa becomes queen of their kingdom but struggles with her magical powers afraid they will go out of control. She leaves her sister and the kingdom, but Anna goes on a journey to bring her sister back and shows that she isn’t a dangerous to those around her, that they are in fact her strength. So even without a perfect family they can still find happiness within themselves, their friends and their kingdom. That is one of the reasons why there is a lack of mothers& parents in general in Disney films we watch as the princess protagonist struggles with doing what is right making mistakes along the way but learning from them.

We see in princess movies not only heroines but female antagonists who are shown as ugly and old. The sea witch from the little mermaid, the evil/dark fairy from sleeping beauty showing us that older women shouldn’t be trusted. In the movie “Tangled” we learn early in the story that Rapunzel was kidnap by Mother Gothel so she could use Rapunzel healing abilities all to herself to make her young and not to age. Watching we see that Mother Gothel doesn’t care for Rapunzel only using her for the power she holds, showing us that older women can become evil to get what they want. Ursula the sea witch from the little mermaid also uses Ariel’s talent of singing while Ariel gets human legs. Ursula is fat& ugly & an older woman putting a negative view of people with these traits. That if your fat, old and ugly that makes you evil and unapproachable. Someone people may see someone with these traits and thinking about to Disney villains and end up treating them badly. This is the impact that Disney films can have on kids growing up, watching these films.

One of the biggest themes shown in Disney films is when the character is forced to grow up and become an adult. Many of our heroines are in their early/late teens where in real life teenage struggle with the concept of what does it mean to grow up. A good example of this struggle is in the film “Peter Pan” where the oldest daughter Wendy is being told she has to grow up and not stay in the nursery with her younger brothers anymore. This distresses Wendy and her brothers; they don’t want her to grow up and leave. Peter Pan comes flying in and takes them to Neverland! Where they can play& have fun all day long! Never having to worry about growing up. Once they get to the island, they learn that it’s okay to be serious and mature sometimes because when you play around too much and ignore your responsibilities you can get in trouble and hurt others.

In the last few films, we have slowly seen a more positive shift in Disney princesses being able to defend & fight for themselves instead of assigning that role to the princes of Disney. The heroines get tricked or threaten the old evil witch so then the prince comes in to rescue her to become the hero in the heroine own story. We see this twisted way of assigning certain “roles” to characters depending on their gender

In the movie “Beauty and the Beast” we watch as Belle gets weird looks and people in her town talk bad about her because she can read books. Women were supposed to know how to read, their roles were to cook, clean and take care of children, not waste their time reading and learning new things. This can negatively impact children showing girls shouldn’t waste their time becoming educated but get to married and have their husband/ a prince take care of them. On the other hand, we see Gaston who suppose to represent the ideal “look” of what a man should be like. This shows little boys that you must be strong, confident, and good looking to become perfect, to get the things you want in life.

Eight years later Disney releases the film “Mulan” that challenges social norms, and all previous films Disney has made. The story of Mulan is about a girl who decide to protect her father& family by joining the army as a man. The story shows us that girls can be just as brave, confident and good at fighting as men! The men in the story acknowledge her talents and she save not only her family but her country as well. Mulan shows young girls and boys that girls can be the hero in their own story! That girls can save themselves & others while fighting to protect what is important to them, to do what is right even if it’s difficult, with the right mind set & enough hard work you can make a change!

In the end the company Disney is in the movie business to make money, however their target audience is children. Little kids are very impressionable what little kids watch is what they will act out and try to behave like. "Disney is quite pervasive within our modern culture,” says Martyn Griffin, an expert on the cultural perceptions of work and organization at Durham University in the UK. “Home videos exposed kids over and over again to the ideas in Disney films. If they were doing this from a young age it is bound to have an impact.” When I was younger watching Pokémon one of the girl characters in the series was very girly and should always take care of her hair and try to look her best, so I tried to imitate that, to try and always look pretty & perfect with my hair. Disney has started to take steps in the right direction with films like Frozen, Moana and soon Raya which show little kids that girls can fight& defend themselves that they don’t need a man to come and save them. Boys don’t have to be the hero, don’t have to be strong and confident but gentle and kind. Those type of lessons and traits need to be included in their films moving forward for future generation of children.

[sincerelysenorita]

Book Review: Silver Sparrow

What Girl Icon does this book represent?

“Silver Sparrow” girl icon are the two sisters where one doesn’t know she even has a sister. Chaurisse lives a normal life where on the other hand we see Dana life where she & her mother are kept a secret, a secret from her father real family that made up of Chaurisse& her mother. Dana and Chaurisse’s father, James is a bigamist. The book shows us how Dana has struggle all her life knowing this while Chaurisse has lived in ignorance. The girls seem to live normal lives on the outside but family matter make it more complicated. 

How would you describe the rite of passage aspects of the story?

The rite of passage aspect that the book shows us is how the daughter learn to accept their situation and the mothers as well. That they continue on with their lives whether it’s a secret or not that James cheated and has two families. 

What aspects of Girl Power does this book explore?

 The aspect of girl power the book explore is how both daughter live their lives. Besides the daughter we see how Dana’s mother also struggles trying to keep James a part of their family when he isn’t making Dana and her mother the very first committed in his life. 

“Don’t you love me?” I asked him.“It’s not about loving people,” he said. “You have to go home now. I’ve m-m-made my choice, just like you made your choice when you went bothering Ch-Chaurisse. You almost took my whole life away from me.” “What did you think was going to happen?” I asked him. Did he think that I could live my entire life tucked away a dirty photograph? “I’m your daughter.” “Everybody knows that now,” James said. “That’s what you wanted. You got it.”

What is breakthrough about the book? 

The breakthrough about “Silver Sparrow “ is how it shows the lives of Chaurisse and Dana where Dana’s life is a secret but Chaurisse isn’t. 

Is there a film, TV or theatrical version of this story? Does it live up to the book? 

The actress Issa Rae has in the work creating a film base on the book! When it does come out I can’t wait to watch it!

[sincerelysenorita]

Supernatural Girls

1. What are your thoughts on the evolution of depictions of Supernatural Powers in young women? 

My thoughts on the evolution of supernatural powers of young women are that in earlier decades the girls/women with powers were not taken seriously and had to hide the fact they were special. In X-men they were called mutants and were a different race of humans, they had to hide this fact for fear of getting lock up and exposed as monsters. 

2. How is magical power related to adolescence?

Magical powers is connected to adolescence is by how the person is growing as a person they mature along with their powers that can help them. They are learning how to control their powers but also how to handle it in the best way possible as they get older and mature. 

3. What impact does the depiction of magic and the sense of agency it represents have on real girls and young women?

The depiction of magic and the sense of agency it represent impact real young females by showing women are capable just like men. That girls are just as special and amazing as Superman that we can be SUPERGIRLS as well!! 

[sincerelysenorita]

Halloween Girl Icons Photo Galleries

I was lucky enough to take photos of the little girl I babysit. Gabriella is 6 years old and she had decide to dress up as Cinderella! famous&iconic Disney Princess. 

I had asked her why she picked Cinderella and she said it was because she was the kindest out of all the Disney princesses. She had light up shoes ,cape and a royal scepter!! besides that also a crown, necklace and earring! I asked her what was her favorite part of her costume and she told me her clip on earrings! 

I myself dressed up as red riding hood with my dog sagar as the wolf in grandma clothing. 

[sincerelysenorita]

An Indian rape survivor as a Superhero: PRIYA’S SHAKTI

From reading the story it has made me want to learn more about Indian culture but also their history&mythology since the Gods play a big role in the story that influences human and our world. I really enjoy that they used photography as the background instead of just drawing everything. It gave the comic a more realistic feeling and made it feel like the story is real and not just fiction, that the issues and situation can happen and are real, when most comic are fictional and have less impact. I like also that we see the main character past and her before and after dealing with what happen to her. I think when the story started to include the gods it got out of hand but it got it’s overall point/message across that people need to come together to put a stop to gender violence. 

“Only when society protects all of its citizens equally, will it be truly safe. 

Is a quote from the comic that I felt really sum up the comic theme and that gender violence mostly happens to women but could really happen to anyone, so no one is safe. Many cultures and countries all have different traditions and point of views of how women and people in general should be treated. Women ARE NOT equal to men and end up the victims in many crimes. This needs to stop and the story is seem in the POV of the victim, telling her story and how we can help stop the cycle of abuse to women not just in India but all over the world!

[sincerelysenorita]

PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE

I hadn’t realize that some girls stop going to school because of a natural  process women go through each month. I knew some girls don’t go to school during the few day(s) a month they have their period but I didn’t know that it stops some from getting an education. Women should be able to overcome this issue by accepting and educating themselves more to learn about the menstrual cycle. 

“Given the lack of conversation about periods, according to one study, 71% of adolescent girls in India are unaware of menstruation until they get it themselves.” 

[sincerelysenorita]

Educate a Girl, change the World: I Am Malala

1. If you could describe this book in one word what would that be?

The one word I would use to describe this book is Bravery. Another word that comes to mind is courage because Malala herself and her book really show that example of those 2 words by the actions she takes to shows how women are treated unequally. 

2. What does this book reveal about Islam, women, girls and education?

Malala’s book reveal and talks about the topics of Islam, women&girls and education but how all three are connected. She shares in her book how Islam impacts women and the view of women going to school to get an education. Tradition women do not go to school, they stay home waiting to grown up only to get married off, they can’t go out without permission and with a male to accompanying them shopping.

3. What elements of chance are crucial to her story? 

The elements of chance that are crucial to Malala’s story are that her father gave her the gift of knowledge and let her go to school, and the biggest chance and turning point in her life was when she was shot. This moment she wanted to raise her voices and other to the violent and uneducated people in her country but of girls and children around the world as well. 

4. Unesco estimates over 160 million girls worldwide are not educated due to refugee status, war relocation, poverty and gender preference.  What would the world look like if all girls were educated? What do you think would change?

“ He believed that lack of education was the root of all Pakistan’s problems. Ignorance allowed politicians to fool people and bad administrators to be re-elected. He believed schooling should be available for all, rich and poor, boys and girls. ” 

There would be an increase in countries income and the world as a whole economies but we would also be opening the doors to new possibilities to change and knowledge. If more children and people were educated they would make better and smarter decisions. 

5. What is your favorite quote from the book? Please explain why.

“. There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women.”

6. What positive global messages does this book provide, and why does it continue to be relevant?

The positive global message the book tells us is that through ____ we must not let those things stop us and get in our way but instead fight to overcome them through peaceful means. 

[sincerelysenorita]

Miyazaki's Heroines: Spirited Away

1. What is the mythic significance of the parents consuming food in an unknown place? (Think Persephone in Hades)...

Similar to the greek myth, if you eat food from another world you will remain stuck there and become part of that world and not be able to return to your own world. We see this theme used when Chihiro's parents ate the food meant for the spirits and got turned into pigs. This is brought up again when Haku makes Chihiro eat a pill to make sure she doesn't fade away while in the spirit world because she doesn't belong there because she is a human.

2.  How many hybrid creatures exist in this world?

What is their significance?

What is significant about the liminal time frame?

How many liminal spaces does Chiriro traverse?

There are animal/spirit creatures and animal/human creates and just spirits.

She travels through the tunnel then over the dry river bed and across the water to different spaces&place in theory. Another element is that night and day make a huge impact in the story because at night is when the spirit comes out and when the hot spring is open and work, NOT during the day.

3. What is the significance of Chihiro losing her name? What does losing her name symbolize?

Losing her name makes her lost herself and become someone she is not, she loses part of her. By giving up her name she is giving up her freedom and Yubaba keeps her as a slave/worker.

4. Does this film fit with the Warrior Girls pantheon?

Chihiro fights for her parents but also herself to return back to their world. She learns to stick up for herself, not to be a crybaby, and to work her for herself.  She also frees the workers from the bully, Yubaba.

[sincerelysenorita]

Joan of Arcs of Gun Control

1. What is breakthrough and change-making about these speeches?

I believe what make these speeches  are so change-making being a breakthrough is because it’s becoming from such young girls who are passion about “grown up” topics. They are not afraid to talk sensitive topics in front of large crowds, they want to be heard and make a difference! Their age is their powers because they show kids their age that they can stand up and do what they are doing, that they don’t want to wait to be adult to make an impact in the world. 

2. How does their presence on the public stage expand the definition of 'Warrior Girl'?

Naomi and Emma might be young but they aren’t afraid to fight! They fought to be heard and to get on stage to spread the message and awareness of gun violence! Most people even as young as they aren’t don’t have that confidence and resolve do stand up for what’s right or speak what’s really on their mind. The girls showed how brave they are which helps encourage others to do the same thing as well. 

3. What continues to be relevant about these speeches today?

These speeches are still relevant today because of the influence and power of social media. Using social media as a tool you can send your messages out into the world. The themes and topics that the speech are about are still talked about and use as examples and lesson for others in the future to come to show how we didn’t just sit by but went into action to try and put a stop to gun violence. 

4. Choose one photo from this gallery and comment (one sentence): 

Their time will begin! 

[sincerelysenorita]

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

What is Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s global legacy, especially for girls?

Ruth global legacy, especially for girls is to spread equality and to inform others about how their choices can cause an impact. “Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation.” 

Even before becoming a Supreme Court Justice she made it her career to help those who face inequality every day. She shows girls that gender can not stop you from making great accomplishment in life. 

Why did she acquire the nickname “The Notorious RBG” 

She was given the nickname by a law student when she was still in law school and the name stuck with her. One of her biography is even called “Notorious RBG: The life and times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg”. She is notorious because of the accomplish she has fought for for equal rights for women and all people of gender. 

[sincerelysenorita]

Girl Leadership in the Black Lives Matter Movement

1. How has the recent Black Lives Matter protest movement impacted you?

The recent black lives matter protest movement has impacted me by really help me to open my eyes and realize that Black live struggles didn’t end when segregation ended but took on a different view&meaning for many. It has made me want to support my black friends and to speak out about my own Hispanic point of view. I think it’s important to see many different points of view besides our own.

2. Have you participated in a march or rally? If yes, what was your experience?

No, I haven’t but have been sharing on social media information about rallies/protests.

3. Which of the girls profiled in the article resonated with you the most?

Zee Thomas because how young she is and her willingness to have her voice be heard. She has no background of leading protests or being to know but took the first steps to start a movement. Zee was one of many to first act on their emotions and because of that they were able to reach many people and show how much they cared about BLM.

‘As teens, we feel like we cannot make a difference in this world, but we must.’ — Zee Thomas, 15

4. Choose a key quote and comment on it. Does it inspire you to action?

‘I think that educating people is essential to movement building.’ — Brianna Chandler, 19

I feel that if I didn’t know what I knew now I wouldn’t be able to support and share that knowledge with others. Being ignorant can not only hurt you but others around you by not being informed of what’s going on outside your life that can still reach and impact others.

5. Given that there are so many young leaders rising up to take the helm in their communities, how does this differ from historic protest movements?

I think one big part of why there are so many young protesters taking charge in their communities is that they have social media to connect and put the word out there than expands their reach beyond them just telling friends&family but a stranger that want to help get involved and aid in the movements helping it gain traction. Compare to historic protests that weren’t as big and didn’t create as big of an impact compare to modern movements currently.

[sincerelysenorita]

How do you define the word 'girl'?

How do you define the word 'girl'?

Girls are not boys, women are not men. They are not equal but should be respected. Girls can be good and can be bad but still may not get respect or the appreciate they deserve. In my point of view girls are the heroine in stories and series that need to be protected and saved, not the other way around. Women are view through a lense of not being strong, or smart enough, only as an object of desire. It’s ironic that women should stay at home to cook&clean, yet when women try to become a chef THE MEN are in the kitchen and won’t let a women in. I hate this old superstition where having women on a ship/boat is bad luck. Women shouldn’t be consider bad luck, shouldn’t be seen as anything less because they aren’t the other gender. Women voices still aren’t heard or seen. Whether it’s was in the past or modern era women…. girls still need to work hard together.