Disney’s latest t-shirt designs cause us to re-evaluate the way we see, interpret, and value female characters in mainstream media.
I’ve been thinking about this for a long time (read: basically my whole life), and it just keeps getting worse. I recommend you read the whole article and take a minute to think about it before you shrug it off (or reblog this with “OMG WHATEVER DISNEY IS SO AWESOME PRINCESSES HAVE GIRL POWER” etc.).
!!! All the following is an excerpt from the article (first describing the different tshirts they are selling):
- Mickey’s descriptors: Clever, Awesome, The Boss, Mischievous, Genuine, Curious, Original, Leader, Funny, and Brave
- Donald’s descriptors: Angry, Fabulous, Quack, Duck, Temper-tantrum, Funny, and Feisty.
- Goofy’s descriptors: Goof, Fun, Comic, Weird, Genuine, Laugh Out Loud, Clumsy, Tall, Smart , Wacky, Silly, and Funny
- Minnie’s descriptors: Cute, Sweet, Gorgeous, Adventurous, Genuine, Adorable, Beautiful, Lovable, Fun, Pretty, and Hot (written in big letters on her foot)
We understand these are playful kids tees, but do you see the problem here? The male characters are all distinguished by their personalities and behaviors. Clever, mischievous, feisty, wacky, funny. The majority of the words used to describe Minnie Mouse are all about her appearance. Gorgeous, adorable, beautiful, pretty, and hot all essentially are the same thing. Is there nothing else worth noting about the female Disney character? Also, is Minnie Mouse “Hot”? And do little kids know what “Hot” means when describing a female cartoon mouse? Sorry Disney. Your new Minnie Mouse tee is not cute, adorable, or lovable. Just like your unrealistic portrayal of girls becoming princesses and living happily ever after, we think this shirt stinks.”
