Singing along to Disney songs during "dead week" is by far my favorite past time. Disney movies have this magical ability to steal me away from my present activities and take me to all parts of the world. Lion King....I'm chillin' with a warthog and meerkat in Africa. Aladdin...flying over the Middle East on a magic carpet, and in the Aristocats I'm wandering through the French countryside. Classic Disney movies are set all over the world! Children don't have to stay in their American suburbs; they can go anywhere.
Unfortunately, now that I'm older, I'm beginning to see flaws in my beloved childhood movies. Has anyone else noticed almost all Disney characters sound American? Very few have any sort of accent! The only thing that seems to hint at all about the setting is the background and clothing (if the character are in fact human!).
As a blossoming college student, I am intrigued by different cultures. I love hearing different accents and learning about others' beliefs and traditions. Nothing excites me more than when I walk into my first classes and see people of at least five different ethnicities sitting together in the front row. I love seeing everyone together--sharing their lives and thoughts with each other.
I often feel like media (whether movies, books, or music) are not completing one of their main goals--cultural transmission. The world seems to keep getting smaller and smaller. Everyone seems to be adopting the same culture--the same culture that's being reflected in nearly all the media. It saddens me that the world is losing so much of its color, its zest and flavor! God didn't make us all different so we could conform. We're different because that's what makes life so interesting and enjoyable! People are the most exciting part of life!
Breathe in the different cultures of the world like a breath of fresh air!
Notice the diversity in the people around you and be inspired!
Life is thrilling! Embrace every aspect of it!
I like this :) Thanks Jenny!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to me that when you talked about the class scenario, I thought of one of my classes, and it is something that I have not thought about before. I suppose it could have something to do with my interests and your interests and differences and whatnot, but it is still slightly disappointing to me. And your point about the media not giving us different cultures is so true! It is tough to find a show that is not about America or some other random thing... Where are the shows that introduce us to other cultures, and not just their food?