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I am very glad to see this message posted. I wonder how long it will be before primary teachers are using this Disney version to teach the John Smith/Pocahontas story. While I don't believe first graders should be taught about the rape, etc. they do not need yet another Hollywood-ized version of history. What's next? Maybe a ride at Disney World? ********************************************************** Gail Dickinson Union-Endicott Central School District Endicott, NY 13760 "a wild patience has taken me this far" Integrity (Adrienne Rich) On Sun, 2 Jul 1995, study wrote: > Date: Thu, 29 Jun 1995 11:49:31 -0700 (PDT) > > Library media professionals and other educators, as well as parents, > should be aware of the opinions expressed in the following memo from the > principal of the Indian Heritage High School in Seattle. This was > transmitted originally over the Seattle School District VAX. > > Bill Towner (btowner@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us) > Library Media Specialist, Kimball Elementary School > ------------------------- > From: Robert Eaglestaff (VAXES:REAGLESTAFF) > To: [ACCTTEAM], [ALT_REGISTRARS], [ASSISTANT_PRINCIPALS],... > Date: June 28, 1995, (Wednesday) 11:16am > Subject: Pocahontas and What Disney is Promoting > > Educators, please be aware of what Disney is promoting in their release > of Pocahontas. They are promoting racism, rape and child molestation. > > Here are the facts: Disney is distorting the historical genocide which > occurred in the story of John Smith and Pocahontas. John Smith was 42 > years old (some accounts place him at a much older age). Pocahontas was > an 11 year girl. Yes, John Smith was a child molester. He writes in his > own "Histories," that he did not have a relationship with her, but > basically raped her, left her with child and still saw her as a > uncivilized savage. She did go to Europe, but not on her own free will. > She died at the young age of 21. John Smith never saved any "Injuns" > life, he was trying to kill as many Indians as possible in order to get > their land. > > Disney admits that this is not historically accurate. Yes, three well > known Native American actors have conceded to be part of this movie, but > Disney admits that this is not historically accurate. Yes, three well > known Native American actors have conceded to be part of this movie, but > that is what they are "actors". There were many Native American people > who declined the parts based on the script and racist, sexist, > stereotypical slant of the film. > > "The way that Pocahontas is presented is as an enormously-breasted, > protruding rear-ended, voluptuous dark, savage. John Smith was the only > blonde-haired, blue-eyed young, studly man on the ship of over 200 men. > The extreme sensual/sexual overtones in this children's animation are > discomforting." (Saraswati Sunindyo). > > As an end note, here are some of the lyrics from the movie's sound > track: > > Song title: "Savages" > > What can you expect from filthy little heathens > Their whole disgusting race is like a curse > What can you expect from filthy little heathens > Their whole disgusting race is like a curse > Their skin's a hellish red > They're only good when they are dead > They are vermin as I said and worse they're savages, > Savages barely even human... > They are not like you and me > So they must be evil... > Dirty redskin devils... > > In another song titled: "Men of the Virginia Company" > > We will kill ourselves an injun maybe two or three > We're stalwart men of the Virginia Company. > > This is blatant racism against Indian people. It does affect the > self-esteem of Indian children. I am going to listen how the children > will bring these racist and sexist images and remarks back into the > schools next year. I hope you will not allow this to happen. Do not > will bring these racist and sexist images and remarks back into the > schools next year. I hope you will not allow this to happen. Do not > support Disney by paying to see this movie. >