Why Representation In Disney Is Important

Representation is defined as ‘the depiction of someone or something in a work of art’ and it can cover representation of any of the following: LGBT+, POC, female and disabilities. The list is endless because, naturally, everyone is different, so a wide range of representation is essential. Stereotypically, Disney films will focus on white, CIS, straight, able-bodied females or males. Obviously, this isn’t always the case and whilst Disney’s representation is slowly but surely improving; I’m going to share five reasons why I think representation in Disney is important.

Creates Role Models for Everyone

Being someone who grew up belonging to minorities; I know the importance of having role models of all genders, sexualities, races and abilities. As I’ve previously discussed, Disney is for everyone and by that logic – everyone should have characters they can relate to. Characters that children can look at and smile because they’re the same skin colour/culture as them. Characters that teens who are struggling with their sexualities can look at and realise they’re not alone. Characters that adults can look at and take comfort in the fact that even Disney characters can have disabilities and that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with them.

Educates people/opens their minds

One of the best things about Disney films are the messages they convey. Whether its Lilo and Stitch and the importance of ‘Ohana’ or Mulan’s message of being who you are – people always come away from a Disney film with an important message. Unfortunately, a lot of people have very close-minded, ignorant views towards minority groups so by normalising things such as a same-sex couples, and having them in a Disney film, this could perhaps help to teach people that there is nothing wrong with the things they don’t understand. I know that this won’t work with everyone but even if it can open just one person’s mind; this could make the world of difference.

Introduces More Diversity

Whilst Disney characters are all different in their own rights and have their own personalities – from Cinderella’s kind-hearted, nurturing personality to Moana’s independent, self-preserving nature – it would still be so refreshing to see a plethora of characters that are different skin colours, sexualities and of different abilities. Diversity is a big part of everyday life so it would only be natural to incorporate it into Disney – even more so than it already is.

The Importance of The Already Existing Minority Characters

As I said, Disney already has characters of various minority groups, whether its Miguel and his Mexican family in Coco or Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame; the representation of these characters is so important in the Disney universe and to so many people that can relate to them. Not to mention how loved they are by the public. The already existing characters of minority groups (such as Tiana in Princess and The Frog) are completely looked over in terms of merchandising and this is something that is needed – the demand for merchandise of these characters is there, but our voices aren’t being listened to.

Personal Perspective

From my personal point of view, more representation in Disney would be so important because it would give me so many more characters that I could relate to, that I never had growing up. It would be amazing to think that young children and future generations could grow up with characters that don’t all fall under the same categories – characters that, like us, don’t fall into the same stereotypes that society implements.

What abut you? Why do you think representation in Disney is important? And what would it mean to you, personally?