Pocahontas

POCAHONTAS

Film Critique

As a mommy I feel it is an important aspect of my job to protect my children from negative things; having said this, however, I also feel it is important to expose them to things, good and not so good, for I believe that is how they learn.  Another important job as a mommy is to talk to my children and explain, welcome and answer questions and teach right from wrong; my job is to set an example for my children.

Though television and movie time is limited in our home, as I encourage active play, my children do watch movies, many of which are Disney movies, which I grew up with (and turned out just fine! :)) 

According the NAEYC  it is very important for parents to understand how movies, even ones made for and directed at children can shape their values and opinions.The Disney movie that I chose to critique is POCAHONTAS.  I watched this movie as a child and remember focusing on the beauty of Pocahontas.                                                                 

 It wasn't until later, when I was watching this movie with my 3 year old, that I noticed other things, such as the violence, but also the negative words used to describe the Native Americans and Whitemen - words that I would be upset by if they came out of my son's mouth.  So, I made sure to talk about this with my son, who is just too smart for his age.  He asked why they were mean to each other and why "those guys with guns" were trying to take the land away. He went on to tell me that it wasn't fair because the Indians "were there first." 

Certain words used in this movie, such as 'savages', which is used throughout the movie to describe  Pocahontas and the Native Americans "portrays certain...cutlures in a negative manner.  The Native Americans, in turn, refer to the Whiteman as 'barely even human.'  Children who view these movies without an informed adult explaining these inaccuracies may form negative biases and prejudices" (Brunette,...).   An important thing to keep in mind when showing this movie to children is the message that the Whiteman are violent and mean -while that may be somewhat accurate in this specific movie, it is an inaccurate stereotype - it is important to make sure that children understand that just becuase someone is a certain race, doesn't mean that they are good or bad - each person is unique and different and the color of their skin does not make them good or bad.

Another thing that I realized was how inaccurate the movie is, as far as historical facts - they completely leave some things out and changed others.  "...many people believe that they're learning about history when they watch Pocahontas"  (Maio, Kathy).  I was one of these people for a very long time, I hadn't any idea how untruthful the happenings in this movie are.  For example, Pocahontas and John Smith met as children and no romance blossomed between the two.  Also, the movie "ignores the fate of both main characters," (Maio, Kathy)  - Pocahontas was kidnapped and held hostage, and many of her people were later killed. 

Though tremendous amounts of this movie are untrue and inaccurate, there are also some positive messages.  Through all the fighting, Pocahontas tries, throughout the whole movie to understand those who are different from her, and befriends John Smith. 

 She also teaches him the ways of her tribe and introduces him to Nature and "the idea that spirit is everywhere..." (Common Sense Media).  Also, in many movies the heroin is male.  I appreciate that a female is the herion and recognized by her father as so.  She stood up for what she believed in and stopped the fighting (in the movie).   Those are important messages for children. 

As parents, it is important to be aware of what our children are watching and the messages they are recieving through what they are watching (or reading, etc.).  Children at a young age begin to form biases and it is important that parents talk to, eplain and answer quesitons around this issue.  The more children are aware, the more accepting and well rounded they may become.  Teach them to embrace the differences in people, and point out when movies send wrong, inaccurate, hurtful or racist messages.  I love Disney movies, but I am now aware of some of the inaccuracies and the negative messages that my son may be getting from certain Disney movies

Maio, Kathy.  "Women, Race and Culture in Disney's Movies."  Feminist Journal.  http://www.newint.org

"Pocahontas; What Parents Need to Know"  http://www.commonsensemedia.org

Brunette, Libby.  "Stereotypes and Racism in Children's Moves."  http://nhaeyc.org