Gen: Disney's Pocahontas

[HCgraves@AOL.COM]

I was glad to see Bill Towner's forwarded post from the Indian Heritage High
School in Seattle,( Robert Eaglestaff's  reaction to the Disney film
*Pocahontas.* )

I'm not a Disney fan, and thinking that my prejudices might be affecting my
views, I've limited my objections to grunts and grimaces in the bosom of my
family when advertisements have appeared on TV.

I have not seen the Pocahontas, but guess I will have to do so to support my
position. However, thanks to this posting, I am now emboldened to express my
support for Robert Eaglestaff's negative reactions to the film, its cavalier
re-writing of history, and its blatant racism.

My first reaction was distress that a historic figure, who lead a tragic
life, and who seems to have been an individual of considerable courage and
strength of character, should have been Disneyed into a brown barbie. Young
children viewing this film will get a distorted view of early U.S. history
which it will be hard to replace with the truth. Perhaps we don't have to
tell little children all the harsh facts of this period of history, but It is
not o.k. to tell them lies.  The Disney folk should stick to talking
chipmunks and churriping squirrels.

I am disturbed by the thought of children caught in jazzy tunes and chanting
the words quoted as part of the lyrics in this film. I can claim no Indian
heritage, but I would be pained to hear my grandchildren humming these tunes,
or singing these words. The thought of Indian children hearing them makes me
 sorrowful and angry in equal parts. Would we accept such lyrics about blacks
or women in a film directed to an audience of young children?

Can you present this film to our children as a bit of harmless amusement? I
know I can't.

I looked for reviews of this film which reflected some of the discomfort I
have felt in watching advertisements seen none.
Thank you Bill, and thank you Robert Eaglestaff.

Helen Seagraves  Librarian at Large. Hood River County Schools
Hood River, OR   Hcgraves@aol.com