How to be antiracist at Disney (with young kids)

[beachdreamr1229]

I never thought about the concept that families would face racist issues while traveling to WDW...it just seems like such a positive place. I'm sure racism is everywhere, but where I live, most racists keep their mouths shut in public so it's mostly just systemic issues that are unavoidable, but every city and state are a little different, right?

I am raising my kids to be anti-racist, too, but when we travel, I don't point out what's wrong unless it's right in front of our faces or they ask. That being said, any of the classic Disney movies made definitely have some fairly obvious racist elements in them just based on the time they were created and how culturally acceptable various racist perspectives were, but the rides tend to, for the most part, be pretty tame. Any of the racist symbolism is so subtle that I'm not sure kids would readily recognize it. My 10 year old definitely asks questions, but most of that is too complex even for my 7 year olds, so I'm not sure younger kids would be aware unless it's something super obvious. But honestly, even It's a Small World technically has inaccurate cultural representations. Most of the classic dark rides, too. My kids haven't been to WDW yet (going next year), but they go to DL all the time. They notice the donkey boy smoking in Pinocchio, but they don't ask about why the boy is turning into a donkey or what the symbolism of the coachman means in terms of slavery, illegal trafficking, pedophilia, and murder. As a teacher, I can honestly say most of my high school level students don't understand those concepts.

So, I guess my point is, I would keep it simple. And don't flat out avoid anything just because of symbolism--use it to teach a lesson. Your kids won't know that Splash Mountain is based on a racist movie from 50+ years ago. They'll just see animals singing. It's an opportunity for you to call out the cultural norms and change perceptions. When we avoid discriminatory symbolism, we teach our kids to turn a blind eye and not see it. But if we go on the rides, watch the movies, then do our best to explain them and compare to other, more culturally accurate and appropriate depictions, that's how we make a difference. At that age though, symbolic thinking is hard. So unless you see something really, really obvious (maybe like Jungle Cruise shruken heads or something along those lines), it's going to be hard to explain what's really wrong.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

One of the caves on Tom Sawyer Island has a sign at the entrance that says something like "Don't worry, Injun Joe ain't been seen here in a long time."

The American Adventure in Epcot hints at some issues, but it still glosses over a lot, of course, and could be used as a discussion point if you wanted.

On the positive side, one of the news reals visible during Spaceship Earth is about Jesse Owens winning at the Olympics, so you could have your kids learn more about him. I know the "Who Was..." series of kids history books has one about him.

I used to think that was Engine Joe

 

[WorldOfPooh]

If you are looking for Racism you will find it everywhere.
Small World could be looked at as incredibly racist.
Alot of the rides and movies lack diversity.
Main Street could be looked at as an era of Imperialism, Segregation and Colonialism.
Mickey, Minnie and Goofy have white skin on their face for some reason.
Hall of Presidents has slave owner George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
It's endless if you are looking for Racism.
I think it can be akin to being negative or a debbie downer if you are not careful instead of enjoying life and being positive.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

My kids have never seen song of the south so all they got from SM was country critters singing.. My 13 year old asked why they were changing it then we had a brief conversation. But we only talked about it when he asked. Just as anything else your kids see and hear in the world.
Just go have fun... most rides are based on fictional characters anyways

 

[kwdw]

At your kids ages, it’s probably more important for them to learn about treating other real people in the parks in an anti racist way than educating about racism in Disney attractions. Shoot, I didn’t even know Splash Mountain was based on a movie until I was like 30 myself! Now, if they were 13 and 15, there might be some places to have conversations about racism at Disney, but not as much at 3 and 5. At 3/5, just teaching good manners for waiting in line can be exhausting for parents.

 

[katyjeka]

We've traveled to WDW for thirty years and with children for many of those years. Our kids have no idea what Splash Mountain is about other than its a great ride when your melting in the Florida sun. Children learn from example and from a very early age. Our girls understand what racism is. From example they have been taught to respect everyone. Disney is nothing more than a "well oiled" amusement park. It can be pure magic if you go on your trip with realistic expectations. The atmosphere is happy and the rides are just that, rides. Have a great trip.

 

[TamaraQT]

My two cents:
When Disney was created, certain mentalities were tolerated and practiced more at that time than they are today. EDUCATION is key. The idea that Disney didn't anticipate things in todays climate, goes without saying. But it's a FACT that positive changes have happened and are continuing to happen at Disney. There is a huge difference between truth/facts and assumptions/opinions. And I try to base my opinions and conclusions on FACTS. I do give you credit for thinking about if you want to support a corporation that has caused you to question their practices in the first place. Although I am not a huge Disney fanatic, I do support their efforts because it's a FACT that they are working towards change. Look at all the posts above giving FACTUAL accounts of the changes being made.

Bottom Line:
Don't go looking for racism at Disney. Just like you find it outside your front door and everywhere else, you will find it wherever you go. Raise your children to be open and accepting and you won't need as many "teachable moments". Go enjoy your vacation and don't look for the negatives. I give Disney credit for becoming more aware of their PAST practices. But the key word here is PAST. Disney is taking positive steps towards change!! And those are steps in the right direction. Now go enjoy your vacation. Let your kids be kids. Society will be here when you return and there will be MANY teachable moments going forward. Go to Disney and have a MAGICAL time!!!!!

 

[bookwormde]

First I think that supporting you children to learn to be anti racist is laudable, given the benefits it will likely give them in the future.

I am a little confused by some of the responses, as being anti racist is not a passive approach by definition.

Disney is moving to further remove legacy racist content and improve the availability of diversity for experiences so I am not sure that would be my focus.

While we always enjoyed the Disney experience, also considered it a teachable adventure, where we had the time to help our kids grow. If that is the approach you want to take, being proactive in seeking out diverse experiences, especially with CMs, is a way that our kids may have opportunities that may not be as prevalent in their daily communities.

It is also important to recognize that to a great extent WDW is a place of privilege which is beyond the means of many families, which of course disproportionally includes families of color, as well as those who have saved for years and yet are visiting on a very limited budget and the impact that has on the experience.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Respectfully, you’re overthinking it. Just go, do all the rides, and have fun, without worrying about every little thing that might be potentially considered offensive. That’s what we did with our kids and they are now as anti-racist as they come.

 

[VandVsmama]

Well, if you want to talk about racism on vacations, 2 years ago when we went to WDW, we were on the train and the guy in line in front of us for the train was COVERED in Nazi-themed tattoos. Swastikas galore, even a tattoo of Adolph Hitler.

THAT was a teachable moment for sure.

And now here's my tongue in cheek answer:
Everything at Disney World is racist. Consider this...

• Donald Duck has anger management issues and needs serious therapy.
• Minnie Mouse is codependent since she's been dating a guy for over 80 years and he still won't commit.
• Everyone who laughs at Goofy is racist/discriminatory/etc because he has physical disabilities. You all should know better. I mean, seriously, people.
• Snow White is delusional because she thinks that dwarves/little people are actually children.
• Snow White and every other princess who sings and longs for a man is sexist because she thinks that all her problems will be solved once she gets married to the guy she just met.
• Daisy Duck clearly hates men. I mean, look at how she bosses Donald around all the time.
• Everyone who laughs at Dale (i.e., Chip & Dale) is prejudiced. He can't help it that he's mentally disabled.
• Nobody should ever go on It's A Small World ever again because all of the 'countries' are caricatures of those cultures. If you enjoy any of it, you are racist.
• If you didn't protest when Mulan, Aladdin, or Pocahontas came out in theaters, then you, too, are racist. If you enjoyed any of those movies, then you are also racist.
• If you like Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, then you are also racist. It doesn't matter that the character comes from literature over 100 years ago.
• Mickey Mouse needs a psychiatric evaluation because he thinks that everyone is his friend. And, in fact, if you try to be his friend when you are at WDW...well, then you are not helping him get through this difficult issue. In fact, you are part of the problem because you reinforce his false mental construct that everyone has good inside them and can be trusted to do the right thing all the time.