FROZEN
editLee, F. (2014, February 7). Pretty powerful princesses: Disney's progression towards female empowerment - GenTwenty. Retrieved from http://gentwenty.com/pretty-powerful-princesses-disneys-progression-towards-female-empowerment
Over the years Disney princesses as evolved in terms of their characteristics and the way others portray them. In the article, Lee, categorizes the Disney princesses into three categories: The Classics, The Disney Decade, and The Fierce Five. Not only have the princesses characteristics changed in terms of The Classics being shy and The Fierce Five being courageous, but the princesses have also changed in how they view men. Disney has come so far in terms of evolving the young princesses and portraying a message to the audience that if one can set their mind to anything, they can achieve their goals.
Luttrell, G. (2014, January 20). 7 Moments That Made 'Frozen' the Most Progressive Disney Movie Ever - Mic. Retrieved from http://mic.com/articles/79455/7-moments-that-made-frozen-the-most-progressive-disney-movie-ever
Disney’s famous animated movie, Frozen, has reached a new level of success amongst other animated Disney movies. For that reason, Frozen separates itself from other movies by depicting more relatable and modern people, and presenting more issues that can be applied to real life. Luttrell provides examples to back up her argument that Frozen is the most progressive Disney movie ever made. Some of these examples include creating a princess that is clumsy and awkward but also elegant, presenting gay characters, and the idea of female self-empowerment through Elsa’s journey. Luttrell offers many quotes and ideas that will be used throughout the ‘female empowerment’ edit on the movie Frozen.
Muir, K. (2013, December 12). 'We wanted these princesses to kick ass'. Times, The (United Kingdom), p. 5.
Kate Muir sits down with Jennifer Lee, the director of the famous record breaking Disney animated movie, Frozen. As far as the creation and idea behind the female characters, Lee states that “We wanted to do really strong female characters that are very relatable and real, and what I love are characters that are messy just like us, but inspirational.” The term ‘princess’ in the title of a movie can lose boy viewers so Lee was adamant on not using the term princess because she feels that females can be comedic and inspirational to boys as well. When creating the film, Lee wanted to use inspiration from the Disney classics but evolve a new meaning and message that drifted from the classics.
HARVEY MILK HIGH SCHOOL
editCalopinto, J. (2005, February 7). The Controversy Over the Harvey Milk School. Retrieved from http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/10970/
It is an ongoing debate in the city of New York whether the Harvey Milk High School should exist or not. The school was design for young adults who were gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered people. After a rough start with the student committing crimes and loosing principals the school is on a better track and running more smoothly. However, Harvey Milk High School is facing lawsuits saying that the school “is a waste of city money and illegal under New York’s sexual bias laws.” Some gay advocates feel that the school is a backwards step in “homosexuals’ quest for equality and acceptance.” Students can be themselves at the school but that also comes a price of violence from their peers.
Gryboski, M. (2014, January 2). NYC's Harvey Milk High School for LGBT Students Struggles to Maintain Enrollment Numbers. Retrieved from http://www.christianpost.com/news/nycs-harvey-milk-high-school-for-lgbt-students-struggles-to-maintain-enrollment-numbers-111926
Since Harvey Milk High School opened in 1985 and became a fully academic public school in 2003, enrollment has been on the decline for the past ten years. Since opening the school has gained continuous controversy for its existence. Mike Long of New York’s Conservative Party, states that “Is there a different way to teach homosexuals? Is there gay math? This is wrong. What is next? Maybe we should have schools for chubby kids who get picked on.” The school is a safe haven for students but “in the long term though, history has taught us the best way to fight discrimination is to dismantle it where it occurs.” as quoted by the New York Times opinion section.
Jarvie, J. (2015, March 23). Teacher hopes Southeast's first LGBT school will be a haven - LA Times. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-gay-school-20150323-story.html#page=1
Christian Zsilavetz, a transgendered math teacher, is looking to open his own school in Atlanta, Georgia that is designed for LGBTQ students similar to Harvey Milk High School. If this school opens, students as early as pre-kindergarten will be able to be themselves and to feel safe. Parents and experts in the state of Georgia are not fully on board for the new school for multiple reasons, some including cost, “letting public schools off the hook”, and not fully exposing students to the real world. Zsilavetz hopes that students never have to feel uncomfortable and wants to offer an accepting environment for LGBTQ students and parents.