Talking Points #4: "Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us"

Linda Christensen

Argument:

In this article Christensen argues that children's cartoons, literature, and films teach stereotypes and bias created by society. Christen describes how to read these forms of media, analyze, and take action.

Quotes:

1. And often that world depicts the domination of one, sex, one race, one class, or one country over a weaker counterpart. After studying cartoons and children's literature, my students Omar wrote: 'When we read children's books, we aren't just reading cute little stories, we are discovering the tools with which a young society is manipulated.'"

Here Christensen shows how the privileged groups of society are depicted in children's cartoons and books creating an "ideal" image for young people to emulate. This is similar to Delpit's "culture of power." The rules and codes of the culture of power are depicted in these forms of children's media.

2. "We are not only taught certain styles of violence, the latest fashions, and sex roles by TV, movies, magazines, and comic strips; we are also taught how to succeed, how to love, how to buy, how to conquer, how to forget the past and suppress the future. We are taught, more than anything else, how to rebel."

I was a little confused by this quote from Dorfman (quoted in Christensen). I think he is saying that children's media teaches violence sex roles and how to succeed in society. I compared this to Delpit's "rules and codes" of power. Perhaps Dorfman is saying that in order for children to overcome these stereotypes, bias, and racism they must learn to recognize and rebel.

3. "Though critiques and the discussions that follow, they are helping to transform each other- each comment or observation helps expose the engine of our society, and they're both excited and dismayed by their discoveries."

Christensen seems to be saying that the more we critique, analyze, and discuss these observations of stereotypes on sex roles, race, and social status the more we can challenge society to acknowledge these things and make a change. This is similar to Kozol's argument about creating a dialogue.

Questions/Comments/Points to Share:

I found this article hard to get through. I think I understand what Christensen is saying about recognizing these underlying ideologies in children's cartoons and creating a dialogue around these ideas but I am not sure that I completely agree with her. I do realize that children's cartoons all have these underlying stereotypes but I am not sure how heavily this influences children's ideologies. These things are products of the privilege given certain groups by society. I too like many other adults today grew up on these cartoons and I think that many of these stereotypes, bias, and racist ideologies have been challenged by many people of my generation. I think that it has a lot to do with family morals and values. Though I grew up watching these cartoons and reading these books I think that my parents instilled morals and values about diversity, acceptance, helping those who are underprivileged and hard work. I do recognize how these ideologies are prevalent in children's media but I think it also has a lot to do with what children see in society. Society holds these values and ideologies and whether children get them for cartoons, the news, or books they are going to get them some how and it is up to parents as well as teachers to show students the stereotypes, bias, and underlying messages of these media.