Pocahontas Essay -- History Native Americans

PocahontasIntroduction 1 Disneys Pocahontas has understandably received a lot of flak about the historically inaccurate news report that is told about the legendary Pocahontas and lord John Smith. There is a good reason for that. The movie does little that can be construed as historically accurate, yet Disney claims that was never their intent. Disney, in their preceding(prenominal) movies, has been attacked for being racist and unsympathetic to racial minorities. Their answer was a movie whose sole purpose, as stated by Disney, was to promote racial tolerance. The question is, whence can a movie promote racial tolerance when the issue is built on false history, history that if told accurately would depict the exact opposition? 2 First, I feel that it is important to establish exactly what Disneys intentions were in making the film. Secondly, I intend to show that Disney provided enough historical information that it is obscure whether or not bingle can assume th at they were trying to teach history, history that is specifically aimed at children. Lastly, I will show that the real story of Pocahontas was not about racial tolerance, that it was not about understanding ones culture, but it was in fact about trying to change ones culture. Disneys Intention 3 From the movies start Disney has been preaching innocence about trying to accurately depict history. Disney, in their press kit, denotative that, Pocahontas is a story that appealed to us because it was basically a story about people getting along together which is particularly applicable to lots of places in the world today (Pocahontas 33). In addition, Thomas Schmucher, who is the senior vice president of Disney feature animation, says, It is a... ... 11 June 1995 46. Muldoon, Paul. Barbie, but no Bimbo. times Literary Supplement 13 October 1995 21. Pocahontas Press Kit. Burbank Walt Disney Pictures, 1995. Rasmussen, William, and Robert S. Tilton. Pocahontas Her Life and Lege nd. Charlottesville Virginia Historical Society, 1994. Rollins, Peter C., and John E. OConnor, eds. Hollywoods Indian The Portrayal of the Native American in convey. Lexington UP of Kentucky, 1998. Rosenstone, Robert A. Visions of the Past The Challenge of Film to Our Idea of History. Cambridge Harvard UP, 1995. Schlesinger, Arthur M., Jr. The Disuniting of America. New York Norton, 1992. Turan, Kenneth. Disney Tries Again to Find the Magic The Kids May Like it but the Adult Viewers May Feel that Pocahontas is More By-The-Numbers than Inspired. Los Angeles Times 16 June 1995 1.