Picking on Disney

While I agree that we shouldn't place the blame solely on Disney, it is true that their cartoons and movies do play a significant role in how children precieve the world both racially and socially. I know when I was younger, I watched dozens of Disney movies growing up and I still continue to watch them from time to time. However, I can't help but to feel excluded from the Disney equation since there is rarely ever characters I can identify with, at least racially. I know that growing up I wanted to be a disney princess like any young girl, but all the princesses were white, blonde ( mostly) and blue eyed, something I definitely was not. There was a time when I thought I should dye my hair blonde so I can be like them.
However, I do not blame Disney for making these somewhat "racist" cartoons. I think if we pick at anything long enough we can see things that weren't the intention of the creators. I think Disney was just going with what was dominant at the time, and white culture has been the dominant culture in the US since it began. I do believe however, as the country begins to change and grow into the 21st century, Disney will continue to manifest itself to be more "politically" correct in the way it presents its characters.
But its true, growing up I didnt get all of my social and racial cues from disney, but its signifcant presence in the lives of children can't be ignored and should be taken into consideration. Disney and parents should take the responsibility to talk to children about what they are seeing. It important for children to have multilple outlets in which to learn "important life lessons." As far I am concerned, Disney is only for entertainment purposes, but real lessons should come from the family.