Did you find Moana offensive?

[bcla]

I'm not offended. When it comes out on dvd, I will happily let my kids watch it. I love learning about other cultures. This is one movie that will get kids and adults interested in learning about the true history.

More about mythology really. I think even many native Hawaiians (mostly Christians these days) have an interesting link to their mythology. It's more tradition now than an actively practiced native religion.

I'm pretty sure most Hawaiians today acknowledge the scientific explanation for how the islands were formed.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Just to clarify it wasn't the skin tone but rather the tattoos. Those tattoos are earned in the Ocieana/Polynesian/Hawaiian cultures and to just make a costume with them was an insult to that. It would be akin to making a costume medal of honor or wounded warrior for kids to wear around on halloween. If you look closely at many military costumes for kids they actively chose fake medals and ribbons for that very reason.

One thing I have found interesting is that many go straight to Hawaii when actually Moana is a blend of several different cultures and communities. That is one thing that lead to some issues is because it isn't any one specific one.

That wasn't at all what the discussion was at the time.

 

[wilkeliza]

That wasn't at all what the discussion was at the time.

It may not have been the discussion here but it was a major discussion brought up online and to Disney. It was much more then just about the skin color of the costume.

 

[Domo]

Offensive? Not at all

 

[mummabear]

When you post "These are some of the very same people" who exactly are you talking about?



Where did you get that image? I'm pretty positive that it is a modern portrayal - from the font

Having lived in Hawai'i, I've got to say that I saw a variety of sizes of people claiming to be native to the islands. Just like people everywhere come in a variety of sizes. I went to a lot of tourist shows, and the performers were of all sizes as well. I actually liked that they seemed to accept people of all sizes, no need to be a skinny stick!

This book is one that has been in NZ schools since DH was in school (still there in DDs class now.
We live in a Polynesian community, I understand why people aren't happy even though I don't care myself.

 

[mummabear]

Well, people mock Jesus all the time and I'm not out on the streets marching. I'm confident enough in my beliefs not to have to pout everytime someone doesn't agree with me.

I haven't seen any Polynesian communities out in the street either.
There are plenty of things that get various religions pouty because it "offends them"

 

[mummabear]

More about mythology really. I think even many native Hawaiians (mostly Christians these days) have an interesting link to their mythology. It's more tradition now than an actively practiced native religion.

I'm pretty sure most Hawaiians today acknowledge the scientific explanation for how the islands were formed.

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. 42% of Americans believe in creationism.

I just don't think it is the place of anyone here who my guess is at best have only visited Hawaii to be telling the Polynesian people what they should or shouldn't be offended by.

 

[Vijoge]

I think, as a Caucasian woman of Northern European descent, it's not up to me to decide whether or not someone of Polynesian descent should or should not feel offended by this movie.

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. 42% of Americans believe in creationism.

I just don't think it is the place of anyone here who my guess is at best have only visited Hawaii to be telling the Polynesian people what they should or shouldn't be offended by.

Exactly.

 

[DisneyOma]

This book is one that has been in NZ schools since DH was in school (still there in DDs class now.
We live in a Polynesian community, I understand why people aren't happy even though I don't care myself.

Yes, but the religion goes back how far? Traces show from about 2000 BC. They had settled pretty much in the standard region by the 1200's. By recent, I mean, in the last century. is there any archaic image of Maui?

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. 42% of Americans believe in creationism.

I just don't think it is the place of anyone here who my guess is at best have only visited Hawaii to be telling the Polynesian people what they should or shouldn't be offended by.

I haven't seen anyone telling them what to do. I think what most of are saying is for them, and everyone, to put on their big boy pants and stop pouting about everything.

 

[bcla]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. 42% of Americans believe in creationism.

I just don't think it is the place of anyone here who my guess is at best have only visited Hawaii to be telling the Polynesian people what they should or shouldn't be offended by.

The biggest issue is that of course there's no consensus. Who really gets to be the authority on what is or isn't accurate? There's been tons of controversy over the advisors for this movies because they have a different interpretation on the stories. With any kind of mythology, there's bound to be many different views on what it is.

The one thing that seems to be universally panned is the size of Maui.

 

[ronandannette]

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I was not personally offended but this is the issue with the size they drew Maui, Maui was not a huge guy, and they took creative license with him. He is Tapu (sacred) so many felt offended at the portrail, ask yourself if Disney was depicting something sacred in our culture or religion would you still be saying god people are offended by everything these days? If it was Jesus or Allah tap dancing would you still be A ok?

Yes, "A-OK". No reason to believe that Jesus wouldn't have tap-danced, at least not just on principal.

For the record, ethnically, Jesus was a middle-eastern Jew, and would undoubtedly have looked a lot more like this guy

than this guy

. His physicality has been depicted in tons of different ways, none of which are likely to be super-accurate and none of which offend me. Incorrect portrayals of his character, actions and intentions are another matter.