TLK sexism and racism

[Timon the great]

That was pretty much what I was gonna say when I saw this thread. Nothing but people out there wanting to make some dollars off of starting controversy on little things like what is being talked about in this topic. It reminds me of the "SFX" controversy in TLK 1 that I saw on the 'net not too long ago.

[InsaneSeagull]

I would consider rejecting hyenas more like a speciesism than racism, but anyways. I honestly always found it an interesting part in TLK. I never really realized why Mufasa treated hyenas so badly. Maybe that's another thing that should have been explained silently better in the movies? Mufasa doesn't seem to me like simply mean to another species for being it. It's possible that they caused him huge problems in the past. Similar story like Simba's treatment of Outlanders in the second movie. Anyways, even if that IS a fact, I do judge Mufasa for doing it. He shouldn't punish the whole group for the crime of very few. That's was kinda mean thing he did.

When it comes to sexism, well... the story is set in time (remember that TLK is mainly a human story a.k.a Hamlet) when sexism was quite normal, and all the women were treated like that, even the queens. The men had all the rights and the women were actually just their inspiration, loves and possession. Sad but true. So, to me, it's normal that it was shown that way in TLK. Things changed a bit in the second movie, by making Kiara the only heir to the throne, though, but I believe - not really considerably.

[Biomac]

Well I almost agree everywhere with you. But we should remember that lions and hyenas are enemies IRL in the wild. So it would explain the specisism. When it comes to the sexism, in the wild again, it's the lionesses who hunt, and the male protect the pride, and he also RULES. That's what I'd like to add.
Also, do you judge Mufasa goodly or badly?

[FlipMode]

That was pretty much what I was gonna say when I saw this thread. Nothing but people out there wanting to make some dollars off of starting controversy on little things like what is being talked about in this topic. It reminds me of the "SFX" controversy in TLK 1 that I saw on the 'net not too long ago.

To be fair, that was still enough to make Disney edit it out of future releases of the film. Even if it does say "SFX" its still a pretty random thing to have in the film, Disney films always seem to take the hit when it comes to controversy in films, and I can only assume that this is because they are marketed at children and "OMG THE WORD SEX IN A KIDS FILM! Forget the fact that Disney made Pirates of the Carribean which had blood, and scenes of alcohol and drunk influences for a second..."

The fact is if Disney wanted and intended to make a racist film, they would have been a lot more up front about it. Is it against the law to make a racist film? Nope, just look at The Dictator. Sexist? I can not even think of ONE example because my mind scrambles though a million choices!
I mean what, the outsiders are represented as blacks oppressed by whites? Well forgive Disney for using the cliché seen in EVERY FILM EVER that darker colours are generally evil, apparently it is okay for Lucas to literally make an entire army of bad guys and call them "The Dark Side" but Disney make a clique known as Outsiders who are not even black and that is more racist? Hmmmm I do love me the smell of hypocrisy in the morning (though its midnight here, hence the rambling)

Overall I agree with DGFone (as I have grown accustomed to by this point) it does seem to have all stemmed from journalists looking for quick hits. Anyone can pull something provocative, and these days its all the media seem to do. Oh journalism, how I do miss thee....

[Jarrett]

Yes, The Lion King was actually criticized for having racial stereotypes in the hyenas. Heck, there was even a news report uploaded by MisterGolfer (AKA Noah):

Honestly, this REALLY upsets me. Hyenas aren't a race, nor are they capable of feeling offended. As for leaving Simba for dead, that's just showing the kind of ruler Scar is. That's what makes him such a terrific antagonist.

"Dr. Smith" has no idea what she is talking about, imo. I saw this as a kid and I turned out just fine, as well as all my other friends. Sounds like another one of those ridiculous FOX news reports.

[TheBlackCatCrossing]

I'm Latino and I live in Los Angeles. As a kid, I did not notice these comparisons. Alot of us didn't for obvious reasons. Looking at it now, it's actually pretty funny. As I mentioned in my other thread, I don't think Disney did this with the intent to show that A) Lions=White Christian patriarchy and B) Hyenas=Racial minorities. I could see how they were INSPIRED by real life to create the graveyard and make it look like the ugly part of town. Hey, LA is very big. You have Westwood/Beverly Hills (which stands for Pride Rock *COUGH*) and then you have South Central. *LOUD COUGH* The elephant graveyard *LOUD COUGH*

Personally, I get a chuckle here and there when I think of how Shenzi and Banzai supposedly represent the blacks and Latinos. I would love to see Disney grow a pair and write a satire based on these observations.

Mufasa is a conservative politician with a strong business background. The lionesses are his aides (and girlfriends because you can't be a politician without THAT *Arnold, Clinton, Spitzer*

Zazu is the lawyer.

Rafiki is the friendly neighborhood dealer and very close friend of Mufasa. He supplies him with a hefty stash because running Pride Rock Enterprises can be very stressful. He is that crazy neighbor in the apartment complex you try to avoid. His apartment smells of something suspicious (hashish and incense) but once you get passed the animal bones and shawls you will fine that he is actually very nice.

Nala is college educated and liberal. She believes strongly in social justice.

Timon and Pumbaa are the gay couple that live in a decent section of the city that befriend privileged Simba who goes to college near there. They teach him about the vegetarian lifestyle.

Scar is the liberal (and possibly gay) politician who promises bread and circuses for everyone! He enjoys fine cigars and expensive suits but he is horrible when it comes to making investments. He just won't admit it and blame it on the working class, i.e. Shenzi and Banzai.

[Biomac]

I don't get how Mufasa is conservative . I mean he is a ruler who cares for the well being of everyone through his business, and is mad at the hyenas because they tried to kill Simba. That's a normal reaction, that in my opinion, doesn't make him conservative

[TheBlackCatCrossing]

^I said conservative because of his attitude towards the hyenas. Compare that to Scar (who sort of reminds me of a Democratic congressman).

But you are right. I should have changed that. Muffy invited all the animals so he must have liberal tendencies. Hmmmm, affirmative action? LOL!

[Biomac]

I told you I was right

[TheBlackCatCrossing]

Yes, O Enlightened one.