Do We Really Know How Disney's Submissive Brain Works?

First, go to this link:
See The Little Mermaid's Red Hair First. Then See Plenty Of Red Flags About The Movie Exposed.

Now I proceed:

Oh my goodness! Stop people stop! 

I don't think Disney were like 'hey what's a whole lot of submissive morals for women we could insert in the film in hopes that when she's older she will realise men rule and she should change species for them because this is crucially important and realistic because kids do not have minds of their own and will understand these subliminal messages.'

No! Stop! Stop! Stop! 

This is what I reckon their line of thought was. 

'Hey dude. You know that story all those kids are reading? That Danish one?'
'The Little Mermaid?'
'Yeah that one! Hey let's make it into a film so kids can watch it as well like we did with Snow White. That was a hit!'
'Oh yeah, let it visually come alive!'
'Yeah! But let's make it more upbeat. It's a little depressing don't you think?'
'Cool dude. But how do we do that without taking away from the original story?' 
'Good question man. Everyone loves the original story anyway. Maybe we stick to it?'
'Ugh well...her dying is a bit much don't you think?'
'Too true....and she gives up everything to be with the prince and doesn't get him in the end because he has some other side chick who he believed saved him instead, which is quite sad too because she has just given up everything....'
'OK let's just change the ending so she doesn't die/turn into air or whatever and her sacrifice wasn't worthless. So she gets the prince. Happy ending? We don't want to horrify kids'
'Happy ending. Oh and let's not make her dance for the prince because that's submissive and cruel.'
'Sweet dude. Oh we forgot! What about Ursula?? We need to do something about her!' 
'Oh yeah she might come back and ruin things. We can't let evil win. Uhhhh just get someone to kill her?'
'Who?'
'The guy because he did in Snow White and everyone loved that crap.'
'We need more drama though.'
'Ugh Ariel gets kidnapped. Oh and lets make it a musical.'
'That's it. We done. We've made a hit. Beautiful.'
'Wait dude. What about the religious stuff. Doesn't she want to go to heaven or something?'
'We'll have to scrap it. People will kill us if they saw religious undertones in the film. We're already too religious as is or whatever. We'll be under fire for telling kids heaven exists without their parents permission because WE ARE TIED TO CONTRADICTING PARENTAL PRESSURES!'

Oh my. 
First section.

Let's remember he fell in love with her voice, first of all. And she saved his life. You know, she's a lifesaver. Last time I heard that's kind of a romantic attribute when you're attracted to someone.

And of course she's skinny. She swims around all day. I don't know a single swimmer that isn't skinny. Yes Disney needs to work on it's hip proportions for women and muscle proportions for men, but I for one have never ever heard a girl say 'Mom, I need to go swimming so I'm as skinny as Ariel!'
In fact I spent today looking after two twin 4 yr old girls and one had an Ariel barbie and not once did she mention Ariel's weight or anyone else's because kids usually do not focus on that.

It more likely made girls feel more comfortable about their red hair. When I was younger, girls with ginger hair often dyed it. But Ariel, she made it worrkk! And it definitely got girls wanting to be mermaids because what's wrong with girls having a little bit of imagination??

We have no problem with it in this video:

Yes, at times she's a little bit clueless. But that's for added comedy for kids to enjoy, because when you're a kid, the one liners often go over your head. I'm sure if I showed kids this for example:



They wouldn't get what's so funny like we would. I'm sure this girl doesn't understand why what she said is so funny.

So when watching this:

Yes, a mermaid becoming human would probably not know what a fork is used for...logically thinking

You may think: That is horrendous. All girls in the whole wide world are being portrayed as stupid for all kids who watch this because this one girl (who is new to human life and behaviour) does not know that a fork is a piece of cutlery, not a hairbrush. This is going to leave a permanent scar for generations to come. Disney, you should be ashamed.

But the kids watching are more likely to think: What is she doing? (giggles) She's using a fork as a hairbrush. Oh Ariel. That's a fork silly! (laughs more) That's so funny!

Are we getting it now?

One thing I am against is why she only wears a bra. TEENAGE SWIMMERS DON'T ALWAYS WEAR JUST BIKINI TOPS! But I will forgive them for this mistake.


Let's also remember they did not make up this story. No. This is a beloved fairytale that they thought would be a great idea to turn into a film but thought it was a little to scary to sell to kids because it's quite dark.
And yes, money was obviously a key factor into whether and how or not they should make this film. 
Do you know what a profit business is? Do I need to run over the facts of life business? 

AND LOOK AT THE SUCCESS OF THIS FILM!

Not getting the Taylor Swift reference by the way. Not one bit. Why would she make Ariel think twice? Her lyrics are literally:
'Saw you there and I thought oh my God,
Look at that face.'
Isn't this what you're trying to avoid?? Loving guys for literal face value?

But lets be honest, that face tho.

Lets go through the list of influences shall we:

1. Look pretty and change yourself if you want a man
Not like the grown ups weren't doing that anyway. Sorry for inserting honesty into a film. 
This is the whole point of the original story except they would've had to remove the heaven aspect of it to not upset liberal parents, which decreases the depth of the story by a lot.

2. If you sign suspicious legal documents that you can't get out of, maybe the guy you met and married in three days will solve it for you. With murder.
Yes, let's talk all our problems out with a monster. She will obviously understand that when she tricked Ariel, it was a silly mistake and not actually her intentions.
I'm not even going to elaborate on my sarcasm. Have you not ever seen a fantasy film in your life? 



3. If you are somehow still living, abandon your family, friends, and home to marry the hot guy you just met.
Yes, I forgot how damaging imagination is.
Why are we making fantasy films for kids? Let's just get them watching Zero Dark Thirty and Once Were Warriors already. What is wrong with you people? Imagination is forbidden here! 

Oh yes I forgot that kids were year 12 English students and having to watch films then study the in depth inequalities and symbolism that was probably not even inserted into the film in the first place.

No! They're kids just watching a film that isn't going to make them confused (and yes, it will make your 23 yr old mind confused by the illogics of it all but do kids care about that stuff? No. The answer is no.) 

And if these fictional characters are who your kids idolise over actual people, then that's not Disney's fault.That again is called imagination. Unless it is concerning, by which point I just say, start parenting. You know, the job you automatically have when you have a child?



And if we really are attaching morals to this film, how's this one?
In real life, teenagers are in fact bratty and believe they are the most intelligent beings on earth and do not care what you do or say because they will do what they want anyway. But that's ok, there are second chances and we can fix our bratty mistakes even if it hurts people and sucks.
Or a more liberal moral could be:
Girl. Do what you want. You want that man? Go get that man. You can do whatever you set your mind too. 
And then realise it's all going really bad so you do whatever you can to fix it or whatever because that's life and this is not a real movie!



Plus, she's the one that sticks up for the humans...



I'm not saying this to criticise Honest Trailers because they are funny and ring true. 
But the fact a whole Upworthy post was constructed to reinforce these ideals and confirm this was Disney's intention is just weird. Why you gotta be all serious? Let kids be kids. Please.

So congratulations old people. You're ridding kids of their childhood because you couldn't let them enjoy imaginative and legendary stories for one minute.

You Honestly Have No Idea How Blessed People Are To Live Here

I can get a student loan from the government interest free for up to 10 years.
I can borrow extra money and if my parents weren't earning enough, I could get an allowance.
My fees cost $7000 for two trimesters.
I don't have to pay extra for tuition.
I get student discounts.
I get free food, vouchers, money and newspapers just for showing up.
I get discounts at the doctors, dentists and any other medical services.
The ambulance is FREE.

I have the right to an education though I am an eighteen year old Christian female. Wait, this shouldn't be something remarkable.

But it is. 

• According to womankind.org.uk women account for nearly two thirds of the world's 780 million people who can not read with 10 million more girls out of school than boys.
• Religion is excluded from schools in some countries with extremities meaning kids can't even read the Bible in their own time or pray before lunch.

Sidetrack
I mean I won't say NZ is perfect when it comes to religion.
Evolution is taught as fact and not theory (though it is this) with a complete exclusion of any other theories such as Creationism. Even when my teacher stated it was a theory, the class erupted in criticism of her teaching ability. 
I got asked to remove my purity ring and cross necklace multiple times as it was not school regulation.

But I could lead a Christian group openly at school where Christian girls gathered and shared their stories, struggles and blessings.

Back on track
What I'm trying to say is that people have no idea. 
The world is consuming globalisation but doesn't know in the slightest how the other half live. They make my shoes right? That's all I need to know dude!

I just found out my friend is paying $20,000 for her one trimester in the U.S. $20,000??? I don't even pay that much for my whole degree. 
It is cheaper for her to come here, pay rent and pay international fees here in New Zealand. 
Loans aren't interest free.
There are no handouts.
You have to pay for tuition. 
And this is the U.S. This is not a third world country. 

I guess what I'm saying is that when I look at my friends and see them complain about uni expenses in the conditions we have while they're living it up, spending all their earnings on booze, music festivals, make-up, clothes and nights out, it ticks me off.
It ticks me off big time.

I love you but you need to realise how spoilt you are.
Because going clubbing while I do Relay for Life and have to pay your registration fee because you said you were going to do it so we signed up (and they bent the rules for us) and then telling us the day before that you can not do it, is not cool.

It makes me question everything. 
Your alcohol dependence is out of hand but you think it's a good thing because this behaviour is encouraged here.

It's empty carbs that make you annoying to be around.

I sidetracked.

Don't You Ever Say That.

Here's a random gif just to kinda ease the tension.

I can not brush past the fact that I am opinionated. So here's my rant of the day. I know I'm playing this down but I am extremely upset right now. I am extremely hurt by this comment.

This comment was not said by me or said to me. Infact I stumbled upon it when looking at the comments in this article put out by Time on Facebook (which they genuinely seem to update every five seconds).

Its a good article but that's not important. Though the fact they discuss the controversial topic of abortion is. Not particularly because of the content of the article, but of the context of the comments on the post.

The deal is someone posted this. A comment in response to someone she thought was trolling.

And what this lady has said is not something new to my ears. It's a very common comment. I've heard it before and before and before. And I am sick of it.

You'd never tell someone you didn't know to die? Why tell someone they should've been aborted. Why wish for someone to have been terminated prematurely by people they didn't know. Why tell someone to be terminated full stop. On what planet is this appropriate for you to say? I am disgusted.

Please, please, never say something like this to anyone.

So You're Not Shaving Your Armpits

First off: Warning, videos may be triggering.

Ok.

So I'm not a feminist. At all. Not one bit.

OMG how can you be a girl and not be a feminist? Do you not want equality? Despicable.

Ok, so when it comes to countries like Egypt where women are constantly being sexually harassed no matter what and there is absolutely no dealing with this (refer to video below) then hell yeah I'm against it.

But that's not because I believe women shouldn't be harassed, I believe nobody should be harassed. It just so happens to be women in this case. Because though it is more rare, crap like this can happen to guys as well and no matter the stats, it's still significant. Especially as when the tables are turned, it's deemed comedic.

So let's clarify. Harassment of any sort to any gender is disgusting. Sort it out brother (or sister).

Plus I've always been intimidated by the scene and it's a step in the opposite direction of my views.
Like for me it's always been 'hey lets stop guys from being dicks and breaking hearts' instead of 'hey if the guys are being dicks and breaking hearts, then let's get the girls to do it too because #yolo #equality. Also don't call them sluts because guys don't have labels.'

Just constant comparisons idolising males as the preferred gender. The only time I compare them a bit is when looking at American Apparel and crying over the sexualisation of women. But forget the fact that the men aren't sexualised, it's the fact that the women are still nude to sell the product. Without a male comparison, I'm still horrified.

See I don't look at guys as guys except sexually being heterosexual and all but apart from that i.e in the work force, sports field (though it is clearly obvious our bodies are not the same so I agree to competing in single sex leagues), school, leadership e.t.c, you're just a colleague, team mate, fellow student, companion unless you're a total hottie then I'm totally checking you owwtt. (I'm not. I'm just making a point. Don't flatter yourself)

And there's also the fact that 'feminists' like Laci Green irritate every bone in my body just because she thinks her opinion is always correct and if you do not agree with it then hun, get out of your primitive life and get on the progressive boat because you suck. (cue Laci Green's sarcastic comment and frustrated laugh and then look at the camera because you've given up on society but then realise this is the perfect time to lecture audiences)
She's a great youtuber but I tend to hold my breath in her video and wait for her to give me permission to breathe because it's her way or no way.

And this circulating 'feminist' tumblr post about female virginity is, despite your belief, infact anti-feminist. Like how does that make sense. Thank goodness the girl I reblogged it from who added the last comment actually understands how sex involves two people. Two.

Ok so here's what I'm getting at.
I'm not feminist (in my opinion anyway) but I am 100% backing women who refuse to shave.

I totally am.

It's bold and it's going 'hey, like me for who I am. Because this is real. This is a real woman.' 

Hold up scratch that, I'm not a feminist. This is a real human being.

I wish I was like this. I wish I didn't care what people think. I still worry that the hair on my arms and baby hairs on my face creep guys out.

You look at articles like the professor offering extra credit to unshaven arms (or shaven if you're a guy) or this woman just having a yarn about it and just feel empowered.

I remember 2 years ago when an Irish writer revealed her pits on telly and my friend freaked out at how disgusting she believed it was. I mean if you don't like it, you don't have to let it grow but if you don't want to shave, you don't have to shave! (including your legs or anything it that matter)

But then I'm not a feminist. So this means guys shouldn't have to shave if they don't want to shave either. That's equality.
But I'm all for looking tidy in the workplace.

And this is where I'm stumped.

Why I disagree with the 'Why I filmed my abortion' video pro-choice support

When Emily Letts got pregnant, she knew she would get an abortion. Then she decided to film it. After Letts entered the Abortion Care Network’s Stigma Busting video competition (and won), the video went viral. Here, she explains why she decided to share her experience so publicly.

So.

Emily acknowledges the fact she can ‘make life’ in the video, obviously meaning that she recognises this baby she just terminated as once alive. Therefore she is suggesting that it is not just a ‘blip,’ it’s actually a living ornganism-and what does a baby happen to be? You know that thing you hold in your arms and rock to sleep? Yup, I think its a living organism, more specifically human being.

Just like a puppy.
Just like a kitten.
Just like a foal.
Just a baby.

So did she terminate a human being?

I raise this question because many articles I've read have suggested she had an abortion because she the baby was just a 'blip' (their words, not mine) to her. But here she states the opposite.

I believe she definitely achieved her goal of showing abortion as a not-so terrifying experience and that it is an easy decision to make (obviously as this seems more like a publicity stint than anything else). And I do kind of believe this was all she intended to do. 

She then explains that this decision has benefited her. ‘It was right for me and no one else.’ So the reasoning behind the decision of an abortion was for her personal gain. Fair enough, that's why people do most things.

But I want people to understand the ideas behind pro-life. That we, just like Emily, have recognised this as life but unlike Emily, we believe that pregnancy is a natural process and that though the life is 'consuming from the mother' (again not my words but ones I've read), it is still as accountable as a living being as my neighbour, or my friend, or my bus driver and so forth is.

So pro-choicers, don’t throw it in the face of those who are pro-life that this was a morally correct decision because I don't believe this has been justified. (This is completely my opinion though).

I think what what we need is for people to get out and see the world. See the opposing view so there is no bias. Meet an abortion survivor (maybe read Jack Nicholson's story.) Or meet Norma McCorvey!
That’s how you understand it all. All my friends are pro-choice and most have had abortions and that's what continues to confirm my decision to save lives. Walk in the other person’s shoes!

I know I sound spiteful and I really don’t mean too. But I'm sick of mothers being looked down on because they’re ‘domesticated.’ There's an inequality among those in paid work and those in unpaid work who believe they are more significant in society because they have economic power. Why do we allow this injustice? If people keep the baby, they get looked down at.

Just recently, a girl at uni had a baby. As a result of this, she was kicked out of her hostel and is now being forced to find residence somewhere else. Why? Because if she was stupid enough to get pregnant, then she's not smart enough to live here. (Don't look at me, these are the words from the RA!)
But what if she was raped? Was she stupid then?
What if she wanted to keep the baby? Is that a stupid decision?
The fact that many girls in that hostel who have gotten pregnant, possibly numerous times because they were 'stupid,' but had abortions to hide it have the right to still live in the hall but one girl decides to keep the baby and she's 'immoral' and 'stupid' and can't pursue her university education.
I'm sorry but where are the feminists supporting a girl who is getting her right of education stripped off her because she has chosen to be a mother. Is that not a women's right?

I can't-. I don't know man. I don't know.

'I had an abortion because it was stopping me from being a lawyer.'-and yes I've heard this. 

Cool, so if I fail uni right, that's stopping me from being a lawyer but I'll just throw a little money on it in the form of bribery and just drop all moral conscious in order to achieve my goal. 

Wait that’s a wrong thing to do? Cheating isn’t cool? But it was stopping me from being a lawyer and that’s my right? To be what I have dreamed of being. 

Is it not the same thing? Is an abortion not just cheating life to get out of what we call our 'failure.'

Great, life is complicated and I got sassy again.

We spend so much time telling girls that if they terminate the baby, life will be easier. Why do we never show them that they are capable of being a mother? That they are strong enough to deal with their 'crisis.'  That they can defy odds and shut down those that never believed in them.

And yes! It won't be easy, but has life ever been easy? No! Otherwise we would all be millionaires by now.

Here’s a great idea! Let’s just let things happen naturally, I’ll age as nature progresses.
Well here’s another natural process, pregnancy! So let that process happen naturally....

Well, no it’s not natural apparently. According to someone I know it’s ‘playing God.’
Yes. By not terminating your baby, you are playing God. But if you chose to terminate your baby, you are not playing God? Because it's our destiny to die as soon as possible?

Oh dear. Logic.