Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us

Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us

By Linda Christensen

I agree with Linda Christensen's statement about the “secret education” stating that, “children's books and movies, instructs young people to accept the world as it is portrayed in these social blueprints” (Christensen)126. A connection to our previous class, we talked about how the society only portrayed the image of some heterosexual lives in kids’ books and movies instead of showing them the reality of people who are heterosexual and LGBT. An example, from our society is the Disney princesses and prince. Their portrayed image for a child is a prince marrying a princesses or a “King and a queen” as Professor Stevos had said. It’s never about a queen marrying a queen or a king marrying a king but about boy and a girl.

It is true that we all are “handled’ by the media” (Christensen)128. I remember when I was a freshman in high school and taking a summer writing class to increase my skill in literature and a debate was held whither we need the media/technology or not and I was against media/ technology and won the debate.  The media has all kind of impact on people, for example, they portray the image they want kids to learn, they expose secrets that are meant to be kept private and use it to ruin peoples’ lives. Yes, indeed that media have, “...influence how I behave, think, react to things...” (Christensen)129. If it wasn’t for the media, I wouldn’t be who I am today. The media made me act and think a certain way, but if there were no media involved in people’s life there wouldn’t help us define who we are today. 

Back then, media exposes more stereotypes than today’s media and some example of stereotypes roles that are displayed in “Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Popeye, action movies,” (Christensen)130. These entertainment display stereotypes how man, women, servant, and people of color should act. But in reality no women would stay home 24/7 and wear high wheels every day while baking or no “Men must be virile and wield power or be old and the object of ' good-natured' humor” (Christensen)131. It’s quite sad about the statement Christensen stated in “Black Cinderella” that “Women who aren't white begin to feel left out and ugly because they never get to play the princess” (Christensen)131. In relation to “Privilege, Power and Difference” by Johnson, being white gives them the power. Being a little girl of different race doesn’t give them the privilege of being the princess because they are different. 

In total agreement with Christensen’s statement about Cinderella “I don't want students to believe that change can be bought at the mall...” (Christensen)133. In my explanation, Cinderella’s story was about competition and fashion to win a men’s heart, it’s actually the wrong form of education that kids should be learning these days. In reality, love does not need competition or fashion but kind personality, respect, and generosity. It’s ridiculous that, “The Barbie syndrome starts as we begin a lifelong search for the perfect body” (Christensen)135.  Some of the things that we do without thinking that it’s a stereotype to look good are by putting on makeup and I dislike how most girl, “…feels awkward going to the mailbox without makeup,” as Christensen has stated on page 136.

Bibliography

Christensen, Linda. "Unlearning the Myths That Bind US." 2003: 126-137.

Johnson, Allan G. "Privilege, Power, and Difference." 2001: VII-35.

Here is a website  related to Disney Stereotype :

Disney Stereotypes