Imagination vs. Stereotype?

          This author, Linda Christiansen, argues that stereotypes subtly exist in popular culture, such as media and literature, and then become accepted ways of thinking so therefore students must become aware of their blindness to it. Often, students believe a written or broadcasted idea is the truth just because it is publicized. Christiansen emphasizes that students must be taught to recognize and identify these stereotypes so they realize society does not run that way, even though it appears that way due to popularity. Since many cartoons are so well-known, people do not analyze the underlying connotations in these shows so they are just declared as traditional. However, Christiansen instructs students to ask questions so they understand the stereotypes the movies portray, present in character roles and plot. In turn, she instigates the students to become aware of the stereotypes and see that their way of thinking has been blinded by the “traditional” cartoon. T

          Then, Christiansen says students become more aware of the inequalities inherent in earlier society regarding race, social and economic positions. That was just how society operated at the time so these stereotypes were mainstreamed in movies. Yet, people nowadays are not as conscious of the insinuations the movies contain, so Christiansen wants to make them apparent. Then students recognize the need to address them. This was a critical thinking lesson that included oral communication, in which they voiced their concerns, and then writing, where the students relayed their criticisms in an essay. In turn, the students realized that by watching these movies, they went along with the stereotypical ideas. This motivated them to recognize stereotypes that still exist in current news, media and literature, such as magazines. Christiansen intended her lesson to broaden the students’ cultural awareness, while at the same time improving their academic skills. This expanded outside the classrooms and inspired students to seek change in areas of the community where inequality still existed.

          In my opinion, people do not always intend to deliberately treat people unequally. Despite that traditional cartoons contain stereotypes, I think the moral lessons and fantasies they include inspire children to think creatively and imagine, which is so vital to a healthy child and their education. This idea completely overrides the stereotype view of cartoons.