1. Disney Diversity:
from Mickey to a princess and her frog
Douglas Ashcroft II
Logan de La Barre-Hays
Louisiana State University

2. Overview
• Ground Rules
• Terminology
• Historical Perspective
• Identity
• Disney Case Studies
• Conclusion
• Questions/Comments
• /Additional Points

3. Terminology
#1 – No one in here is an
expert
#2 – Everyone is entitled to
their opinion
#3 – The point of this
presentation is to get you
talking
#4 – Share, but stay on task.

4. Terminology
• The concept of diversity
encompasses acceptance and
respect.
• Commitment to recognizing and
appreciating the variety of
characteristics that make
individuals unique in an
atmosphere that promotes and
celebrates individual and
collective achievement.
• These can be along
many dimensions, such as…

5. Terminology
• Age
• Cognitive style
• Culture
• Disability (mental, learning,
physical)
• Economic background
• Education
• Ethnicity
• Gender
• Identity
• Geographic background
• Language(s) spoken
• Marital/partnered status
• Physical appearance

6. A Historical Perspective
• Millennial (those born from 1982 – 2002)
– That’s us, btw…
• Have grown up under close scrutiny
– Grew up with the most safety regulations
– Grew up with U.N. focusing on global treatment of children
• Labor laws, for example
• Have also grown up with diversity talks constantly happening
– Technology has allowed for it in our life time
• Internet
• Satellites
• As a Result…many may tune out on diversity talks now
– To balance this, re-directing competency in one area can lead to discussions in
other areas
• Competency = Disney; Tougher Subject = Diversity

7. Identify
I am a…
1. Street Rat, 2. Scoundrel, • Identity provides a
3. Prince Ali Ababwa starting point
• I am a…
• What are you?
• Let’s share
• Foundation Reality

8. Disney Case Studies
• (Some) Questions to consider…
– What aspects of diversity are represented in
this character (or film)?
– How did this impact their actions or the plot?
– How would this impact their ability to act as
part of a team? As part of a hall community?

9. Lion King
Today, my uncle took my father out of the
picture…before I just couldn’t wait to be King,
• Family Life now I just can’t wait to wither away and
die…FML…
– Father?
– Uncle?
• Depression
– That was a joke but
this epic Disney
adventure does show a
depressed central
character

10. Hunchback of Notre
Dame
…And we’re the three best
friends that anyone can have… • Physical Ability
yes, we’re the three best friends
that anyone can have…Hallucinations are – Body Image Issues
awesome…
• Depression
– Vs. Suppression
• Loneliness
– Possible Mental Illness
– Hallucinations
• Mother
– Passed away while giving
birth to Quasimodo
– Murder?

11. Little Mermaid
• Family Life I’ll do anything to get a man!
– Mother
– Responsibility towards
father/kingdom
– Socio-economic status
• Physical Ability
– Legs
• Was not happy until she
got working legs
• Lost her voice in
exchange
• Conformity Issues

12. Beauty and the Beast
We’re going to spend the whole movie
acting on stereotypes and assumptions • Depression/Isolation
about each other!
– Walls Put Up
• Socio-economic
• Physical Attributes
– The Beast
• Gender Roles
– Gaston?
• Over-masculinized jerk
vs. Hero
– Smart female
• Not necessarily a
damsel in distress

13. Points to Ponder
• In the interest of time
– To hopefully spark conversation afterwards
• Jail Time for our heroes?
– Aladdin?
– Lightning McQueen?
• How Does Disney Handle
Race?
• Have you ever seen a
Disney villain die?
• Physical Ability
– Finding Nemo
– Wall-E

14. Minor Points to
Ponder
• Sexual Orientation
– No clear examples but possible voices for that particular category
• Sebastian?
• Scar?
• Lumiere?
• The Genie?
• Timon and Pumbaa?
– First Disney Bromance?
• Gender roles
– Mulan?
• Spirituality?
– Princess and the Frog
– Mulan?
– The Lion King

15. Conclusion
• Differing traits and experiences make us who we
are, and ultimately affect how we handle
different situations we are put in.
Whole
Parts

16. Questions?
Comments?
Additional Points?