"Unlearning the Myths that Blind Us" by Christensen

Premise:
-popular cultural ideals
-racism, sexism, violence
-ignornace
-anaylsis of popular media
-unlearning myths
-"secret education"
-discrimination and subjugation
-accepted knowledge
-questioning vs. acceptance
-development of a critical consciousness
-stereotyping

Argument:
Christensen argues that popular children's media influences the way in which children view the world, other people, and themselves. He believes that popular media secretely educates children in ways that are detrimental to their development. Christensen believes that children's books, movies, and popular fairy tales embody hidden sexist, racist, and violent messages. He argues that "unlearning the myths" will enlighten children to the messages which have distorted their views of people of varying racial and cultural groups.

Evidence:
-Christensen gives the example of the Daffy Duck cartoon and how all there is a general absence of female characters and when female characters are presented, they are usually sexually exploited. He states, "when women do appear, they look like Jessica Rabbit or Playboy centerfolds."
-Christensen presents the fact that the Disney princesses are all white except for a few exceptions. He states, "there should be more women of color who play the leads in these white on white wedding cake tales."
-Christensen notes how in many childen's stories, movies, and fairy tales, women are portrayed as characters who are desperately trying to find a man to marry and settle down with. Women are not depicted as people who are trying to better themselves politcally or economcally. He states, "I don't want them thinking that the pinnacle of a woman's life is an 'I do' that supposedly leads them to a 'happily ever after'."
-"I want to develop their [his students] critical consciousness, but I also hope to move them to action." In an effort to uncover the myths Christensen asks his student to "watch for who plays the lead. Who plays the buffoon? Who plays the servant?"

Questions/ Comments

This article reminds me of Carlson's idea of how popular culture has a powerful influence on the way in which people interpret, understand, and educate. The various forms children's media present in popular culture embody certain rather disturbing images and messages that many people attempt covering up or defending. The whole idea of ,"it's just a kid's movie" is really not a valid argument to defend plots and characters seeing as how children observe and indirectly learn about people of other races and genders from watching/reading these media forms.