For God’s sake, I cannot do the “kame-hame-ha” inside the kitchen!

"Don't get your feelings hurt, but I'm still a lot stronger than you are." Those words belong to Number 18, a female android, talking to Krillin during a battle many years before they got married and had a daughter. If you ask me, this was the real and captivating essence in the female characters of Dragon Ball anime, and if you don’t believe so, take a look at the first episodes and you will see that I’m not so wrong. Failing that, keep on reading.

During many years, topics in most cartoons and films for little girls and teenagers had been about princesses, the charmed love, stories too pink and about the sense of playing safe. As a consequence of this stereotype, a little girl with different tastes to those expected by the majority of adults in western society was labelled as a butch girl, being stigmatized during her entire childhood. However, after a few years of female silent expectation, a huge phenomenon arrived to the screen in our country, Japanese anime. One of the most relevant cartoons of great success in Argentina was Dragon Ball, created by Akira Toriyama. Around 1994 till 1998, the saga reached its highest peak of fame. The most striking and curious fact about this cartoon was how the female audience, little girls and teenagers, were totally hooked with it. In fact, this is a reality that is still observed due to the fact that Dragon Ball has included female characters, being the most interesting of all that they are strong fighters, very passionate, totally independent and they love to take risks. But careful! There’s more behind the images you see! Because unfortunately, over the years the saga evolved, and despite the fact that Dragon Ball had tried to break the gender stereotypes including strong and independent fighter women, it ended up giving priority to the male characters. Is evident that our dear friend Akira couldn’t avoid the female stigmatization and in some way, he resigned himself to the implicit popular belief of many men, which claims that women can be really strong and independent BUT we don’t have to get tooooo excited with the idea. 

Take, for instance, the case of the main male characters of the saga, Son Goku, Son Gohan and Vegeta. They belong to a race of super warriors called Saiyajins, when they are too furious or exploiting their maximum power during a battle, they transform themselves in blond blue-eyed fighters, wrapped in a bright golden aura and a spiky hair is the icing on the cake. But what is really surprising is that although there are women with Saiyajin blood, they never reach that amazing power and what is more, they never suffer that kind of transformation. Now, this is relevant. The implicit message here it's that there are certain parameters that would indicate the extent to which women can be powerful and independent, even in cartoons. It's clear that the hegemonic ideology of men over women can't be eradicated completely, no matter how hard one tries.  

Another point to consider is that from the very beginning, women in Dragon Ball go over a process in which they are growing up and maturing, but leaving aside their real nature. Most of them end up married with the strongest guys (these Saiyajins warriors) turning into devoted housewives. Characters as Milk, Son Goku’s wife, Number 18, Krilin’s wife, and Videl, which is Son Gohan’s wife, are portrayed as dedicated mothers that make the house chores while their lovely and brave husbands fight saving the world. In some occasions, these female characters are allowed to witness the different fights but they never participate as they used to do when they were, let’s say, “single girls”. As a result, they adapt the role of faithful cheerleaders and all those qualities that once were so intriguing for the female audience, evetually disappear.

It’s well known that Dragon Ball's success can't be denied. The anime allowed little girls and teenagers the option to choose how they wanted to be represented and the possibility to find something different to what was being watched on T.V. programmes for little girls. Nevertheless, what it seemed to be a clear innovation about gender role stereotypes, ended up being more than what was being observed, the reinforcement of the idea that men are the only ones who have power, courage, strength and the chance of taking risks. In addition to this, women have to stay at home washing the dishes and watching from their passives roles, that have been imposed, how men save the world, taking over all the fun. 

If you've come this far, it means you've followed my previous advice. Now, the possible questions are: Will you support this “innocent” reproduction of gender role stereotypes? Are you going to let your little girls enjoy the anime even though they are exposed to this negative conception about the role of women in society? Try to give it a thought. 

A separate essay, in fact, a SEPARATE-BUT-EQUAL one

 

Do U Mind Being Obscured?

By Andrés Lema

 

When calling for an end to racism in the United States, Martin Luther King said: “I have a dream.” His transparent words shadowy contrast with “If you can dream it, you can do it”. This last phrase was the brilliant response provided by Walt Disney when asked about the success of the film Dumbo. The unclear contrast between those two phrases seems to be the key for the persistence of an obscure message the film transmits.

 

In October 1941 a white stork flew from Paris to a circus in Florida only to deliver a blue-eyed baby elephant. Its arrival to the land of opportunities (in fact, of opportunists) gave birth not only to the main character of the famous film Dumbo, but also to the perpetuation of a somber message.

 

Produced by the bright Walt Disney, this successful film shows the gloomy story of Jumbo Jr., a little big-eared elephant ridiculed and teased for having some large ‘wings’. Mute from birth, he is nicknamed “Dumbo”. Clearly, happy endings have always been profitable for Disney Animated Classics. So by the end of the film, Dumbo’s ears will allow him to fly and become the star of the circus.

For decades, millions of children have enjoyed the funny Dumbo, partly because they got important messages from the movie, such as how to overcome to the fact of being laughed at or bothered for having long ears, a big nose or any other ‘abnormal’ physical characteristic. But were these the only messages conveyed?

 

Perhaps, the charm of Dumbo’s Aryan eyes has blurred our perception. Even our memories about him might be biased as they were constructed during our innocent childhood. Still, such a somber message crops up during the whole film. The racist message Dumbo transmits has been spread for more than seven decades. Currently, this message continues its legacy.

 

During the 1940s, racism was unhappily present in many places around the world, and it was expressed in several ways, even through music. Songs are essential in movies, especially, in the ones for children. So let’s check one of Dumbo’s songs, which is ‘cheerfully’ sung by some coloured roustabouts in this wicked film: 

“We work all day, we work all night. We never learned to read or write. When other folks have gone to bed, we slave until we're almost dead. Muscles achin', back near breaking. Boss man houndin', keep on poundin'. For your bed and feed, there ain't no let up. Keep on working! Stop that shirking! Grab that rope, you hairy ape!”

Well, this black-hearted message of the 1940s was created neither in South Africa during the Apartheid, nor in Auschwitz during the Holocaust, but at Walt Disney Studios in America. Of course, in the lyrics, slavery is a terrible issue referred to, but why is this abuse only suffered by coloured people?

 

Secondary characters in the film make the racist expression utterly explicit. If we picked any scene having Dumbo performing a clown in the circus show, we would see peanut sellers being dark-skinned and the audience enjoying the show being clearly formed by white people.

 

Another attack on coloured people is portrayed by a group of crows Dumbo comes across in the film. Shown as poor and uneducated, this flock of black birds is the only group whose southern accent is stereotypically African-American. Blinking at Jim Crow laws, which were state and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States, the leader of the crows in the film is strategically named “Jim”.

 

To reach foreign targets beyond America, Dumbo finds no barriers. We can confirm that by watching Dumbo in its Spanish version, in which the crows are ‘casually’ voiced by Gipsies or Cuban actors.

 

If we had to play the devil’s advocate, we could argue that the movie transmits a positive moral about getting through some difficult situations. It encourages people to think in a different way. But this could be done without hurting people’s susceptibilities. Does the end justify the means?

 

Going back to the contrast between dreams, we can state that Disney has used a speechless elephant to convey a message as strong as Luther King’s speech. Unfortunately, within the scope of Dumbo’s racist message, we may find victims from any part of the world. The dark intention of the movie seems to be as solid as ever. And it will continue building success over obscure foundations.

Is green the new black?

New Orleans is the setting. The 1920’s the time. Jazz is a boom. Voodoo terrifies people and princess Tiana sets a cultural debate.  Black turns into green and vice versa in this new-fangled movie: “The princess and the frog”. Who is Tiana? She is the first Disney’s African American princess. It was about time for Disney to come up with something new. This movie tries to widen children views by showing different races and social classes in order to include a new culture into Disney’s world. But, ladies and gentlemen, it failed big time! Instead of showing how to accept other races and how not to discriminate, it did the opposite. The movie is a pitiful example of racial segregation. What was my first hint? Most of the movie, the two main black characters are actually green. Yes! Both, prince and princess, are cursed to be frogs. It took eighty-six years for Disney to please us with a black princess and to do what? Turn her green the entire movie! Come on Walt!

First of all, the most important and shocking proof of segregation in the movie is Tiana’s dream. She comes from a poor, hard-working and low class family who lives in a humble but cosy black neighbourhood. All Tiana’s parents have ever known has been working hard to achieve their goals. Even though they are very poor, their dreams are very rich and ambitious. Tiana fights against all odds to make her dream come true. After her father’s death she became a double shift hard working waitress in order to save every penny she could. She yearned to buy the huge abandoned building downtown where she pictured her restaurant coming to life. Surprised? Me too! The dream of this specific princess is not to marry a beautiful man, be rich, have children, etc. No way! The first African American Princess must want to work at her own restaurant. Why is it that this was not the dream of any of the other Disney princesses? I found it a bit offensive since the movie is set on the 1920’s, where black people were treated as an inferior class that was only good at serving others. If the writers of this movie were trying to be inclusive with the so called race of this princess, they did the exact opposite.

Adding even more evidence to this segregation issue, we have Tiana’s beautiful future husband, Prince Naveen. He’s a distinguished, foolish little man that comes from Maldonia. It is surprising that the only possibility for a black young woman is to get together with a man of her own race. Would it be so unreasonable for a black princess to marry a white, blue eyed and blonde prince? Instead of showing these trifles are not important, the writers are letting everyone see there is a large gap between black and white people that cannot be removed. The movie, indirectly or not, shows that the conflict at that time was that the black were meant to serve the white, not marrying them.

“The princess and the frog” fails to set a deserving place to black people in America. Disney tried, at least, to make the unthinkable effort to show others, that society was starting to accept the differences that were apparent at that time. But it fell in the pit of the same old stereotypes that, sadly, are still a current issue even nowadays. Bittersweet is the taste this movie leaves us with; because where black should have been important, green was dominant. Now, the final questions are: Do you want your children to reproduce these stereotypes? Or do you want them to be better than that?

Hi people! I'm sharing some information concerning PARALLELISM. So "What you see is what you get". Here it goes:

Individual Essay

Live and let live

“The unexamined life is not worth living”, Socrates said. His words reflect the importance of looking inside of us. His ideas were backed up by his disciple Plato, who has taught us that we must have the necessary courage to go out of the cavern of our own ideas and thoughts and from the comfortable zone we have created for us. “Yes, I am alive”, you may say. But are you brave enough to ask yourself and examine your lifestyle? What am I living for? Which are my goals in life? What helps me to do this is ‘Up’, the 3D computer-animated Walt Disney Pictures’ film, directed by Pete Docter in 2009. At this point, you may wonder how it is possible that a film for children can contribute to improve the quality of adults’ life.  Yes, definitely. ‘Up’ shows that life is worth living.

Having a goal in life is an anchor and a helm. Some elderly and middle-aged people just sit and wait for the inevitable end. But Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old widower, decides to go to South America on a last adventure. By attaching thousands of helium balloons to his house, he escapes from the possibility of being sent to a retirement house and tries to fulfill a promise he has made to his wife.

By caring about someone else, people can be happier. Carl has been mourning his wife. According to APA (American Psychological Association) to face the death of a beloved relative or friend is one of the most terrible pains you may suffer. Fortunately, there are several things that a person who is going through that stressful situation can do to relieve the pain. One of them is to help other people. In doing so, you will not only use your time but will help yourself to feel better. That is what Carl does, without noticing at first. Due to the fact that Russell, an eager boy scout, is trapped in his flying house, both, Carl and the boy himself, get profit from their company. They also help at least two animals during their journey: an exotic bird, which Russell calls Kevin, and Dug, an obedient dog, which has been mistreated by his former owner. At last, as an extra reward for caring about each other, Carl can visit Paradise falls in South America and Russell gets a medal for helping the elderly people.  

‘Life is an adventure’ is one of the messages that the film conveys.  A handwriting note that Ellie, Carl’s late wife, wrote in their book of photos states: “Thanks for the adventure. Go and get some more”. That encouraging advice helps Karl to realize that he has the possibility to carry on with his life and at the same to enjoy pursuing new goals.

As a conclusion, I can say that although Karl is a bit reluctant to grip life, he is able to improve it, not only by making new friends, but also by fulfilling the promise he has made to his supportive wife. Pay attention to Socrates’ and Plato’s pieces of advice. By watching ‘Up’, you can examine your life and get out of the cave. Perhaps you are not what you wanted to be. Go for it. You are not done yet. 

Question tags.

Question tags are short questions at the end of statements.
They are mainly used in speech when we want to:
confirm that something is true or not, or
to encourage a reply from the person we are speaking to.

Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject.

A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag.
Jack is from Spain, isn't he?
Mary can speak English, can't she?

A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag.
They aren't funny, are they?
He shouldn't say things like that, should he?

When to use the article "the"

• The definite article “the” is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. 
• “The” signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. 
• Notice the difference:

We live in a small village next to the school. (The school in our village). 

Houses are expensive in that neighbourhood. (All houses in that neighbourhood).

Follow your heart…

“Heidi”, the well-known story for children, was written by Johanna Spyri in 1881. This book was one of the most read around the world. It highlights innocence, human values and love of nature. There are many versions in films and TV programmes. In 1937, the book was turned into a film in which the famous actress Shirley Temple plays the role of Heidi, a little orphan girl. And the first animated cartoon of Heidi was released in 1974. It was designed by the Japanese Zuiyo Eizo and ZFD, a German company, and directed by Isao Takahata.

Heidi cartoon is a sweet girl who lives with his grandfather in the high mountains faraway from the noisy and populated cities. Although “Heidi” seems to be a harmless TV series, it portrays a simple set of values which might offer an alternative lifestyle that brings the status quo into question. She  leads a quite simple life full of important values such as love, freedom, simplicity, authenticity and happiness. This type of life contrasts with the lifestyle of the big cities, where those values are underestimated because people pursue expected standards of behavior to be socially accepted. Ostentation, luxury, vanity and appearances become the rules. Thus, in the city there seems to be another legitimate lifestyle.

Despite living almost a whole life without regulations, Heidi learns that there is a standard behaviour expected from society, when she must leave the Alps in order to take care of her friend Clara in the city. However, she feels entirely uncomfortable with the imposed social constraints that she encounters within the urban areas, where she can hardly live. As one of the main characters, Clara appears in the story as a disabled child since her early childhood. While living in a luxurious mansion, she leads an empty and oppressive social way of life, totally different from the one Heidi has.

Regarding Heidi , she is very sad and oppressed when staying at Clara’s house, but when Clara goes to the mountains for the first time, she discovers a magnificent and gorgeous scenery there, and besides, she finds out a feeling of comfort and a sense of identity and uniqueness. Both girls feel quite happy as they are in the high hills, to the extent that Clara overcomes her serious illness because she is able to do away with some rules and regulations.

“Heidi” series  shows that it would be possible to live a great life with different kinds of values, by comparison to those which are proposed by modern- day society where these moral principles would appear to be a natural choice. The question is: might it be possible for us to change the model suggested by the actual system in order to set free from social constraints? It depends on us!

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An essay, by Andres Lema & Mariana Alamos

Unfit fitness

“It makes me immensely proud to know that I’ve made a contribution to Japanese football.” Those words belong to Yoichi Takahashi, the creator of the manga Captain Tsubasa. And that phrase seems  to be relevant when we confirm that the influence of his creation made the national football team of Japan not only debut in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but also qualify for the following World Cups ever since. Such influence is credited by the constant growing of football popularity in Japan. That is why, the manga and especially the anime, which was created two years later, have been regarded as the correct prescription for increasing football’s motivation in that country. Moreover, that influence has crossed oceans and cultures due to the fact that the anime has been translated into several languages and the Japanese names adapted to a more occidental lifestyle. In Latin America, the anime is known as Super Campeones and the main characters are Oliver, Bruce, Steve, Benji and Andy. But can we find side effects in a worldwide famous programme? Harmful effects, such as parental pressure over children, focus on winning rather than on participating or painful training seem to have been outshined by the beneficial effect of the anime.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), overweight and obesity in the under-twenty-year-old Latin-American population range from 20% to 25%, i.e. 1 out of 4 children or adolescents has one of these affections. WHO points out that junk food and lack of physical activity are the main contributors to overweight and obesity. That is why some may not agree on paying attention to the negatives aspects of the anime, such as extreme competition, and just celebrate that a TV programme encourages physical fitness. However, we consider that Captain Tsubasa promotes unhealthy competition.

The role of parents is really decisive because they exert pressure over their children in subtle and direct ways. Tsubasa (Oliver) is obsessed with football, his motto being “The ball is your friend". His obsession is backed up by his father, who is usually absent as he works in the navy. Still, he sends a former professional Brazilian footballer, Roberto Zedinho, to train and make his son a sport hero. Tsubasa's mother is his first fan. She supports him daily but she doesn't correct her son when he doesn't do his school homework or doesn't inform her where he is.  She wants Tsubasa to become a football star, too. But she is not the only example of parental oppression. Ryo Ishizaki, best known as Bruce, is one of Tsubasa's mates. His mother is always at the stadium watching his matches and madly shouting to her son that he must be the best. In one episode of the anime, it is raining heavily and Ryo Ishizaki's mother is allowed to be around the bench and offers her son and his football mates some tea to prevent them from getting flu. Her son and his mates will not feel ill, but his opponents will in the following chapter. What mother will allow her child to face a storm and give a hot beverage as if it possesses magical properties? Parents in the anime drop unnoticeable but strong hints about how a champion must behave and suffer.

The main characters are able to perform amazing but at the same time impossible dribblings and passes. To achieve that perfection, the players must train harder than their opponents do by being exposed to extended training periods. And when all the players, struggling for breath, are allowed to go to the changing room, Tsubasa continues practicing his 'Drive Shoot'. Due to his determination and stubbornness, Tsubasa masters this technique. During one match, he makes a plea to the coach to continue playing, even though he has a badly injured shoulder, because he has promised to himself to perform that shot in that match. Would a couch put his best player at risk just for a promise?

Throughout the whole anime, it is clearly showed that losing is unacceptable and that successful footballers can show off. These situations are portrayed by different characters, for example, by Kojiro (Steve), who is famous in Japan for his 'Tiger Shoot". He is able to perform this powerful shoot from the mid-field and to break the opponents' nets. And he boasts about this ability, encouraging other footballers to compete against him. But ironically, when Kojiro becomes a member of the Japan Football National Team, he is expelled by the coach alleging that his shots are too weak, so Kojiro cannot be accepted in that team. He will not be allowed to be a member of the team unless his shoots are strong enough to go through a sea wave. Another conceited character is Genzo (Benji Price), an excellent goalkeeper, but at the same time an authoritarian vain boy. He is not only admired, but also praised and respected for having such negative qualities. Although Genzo mistreats his mates and does not accept 'losers' in his team, they love him and feel that they deserve being mistreated because Genzo is someone superior to them just for having some football skills.

"My heart is still beating" says Misugi Jun, Andy Johnson in the Spanish version, who is holding his chest while he reveals his mates and opponents he suffers a heart illness. That is why he has never played for more than 15 minutes. During an important match, he decides to play the whole game even though his decision may cost his life. His friends, coach, manager and even his parents, who are watching motionless from the galleries, support his decision. He plays the entire game and of course, he does not die. All his friends and opponents express that it has been an honour to have been chosen by Misugi Jun to watch him almost sacrifice his life on the football pitch.

Although the anime has encouraged some talented Japanese footballers, for instance, Sotaro Yasunaga and others from around the world, such as Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta, we shouldn't turn a blind eye to the adverse effects the manga fosters. The match between "No pain, no gain" vs "Healthy competition" is still being played and broadcast. So far, the former is beating the latter. But the questions are:  which of them are you going to support? Are you going to let your children enjoy the anime and be exposed to negative influences and wrong values?

There´s more than meets the eye

It’s a rainy Saturday evening and you have to do something interesting to calm your children down. Follow my advice and do not hesitate to play Shrek on your TV screen. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, and based on the book under the same name, this movie was on the big screen in 2001 and it seems to be current happily ever after! Not only your children but also you will be captivated by this amazing and catching story of a green ogre who has to carry out a mission to get his land - poor and dirty indeed, but his land at least! - back. Accompanied by a casual friend, a funny and garrulous donkey, he marches towards his aim-- to rescue Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a huge dragon.

So far, it seems to be another typical fairy tale love story, right? It may show a hero riding a white horse who defeats a villain, or contain the typical strong, brave, smart and handsome prince who saves a beautiful damsel and provides a wealthy lifestyle to her. But have you noticed I mentioned an ogre and a garrulous donkey? Let me tell you, as an adult you are, that this fantastic story of fairy creatures breaks all common stereotypes and rules in fairy tales.

For your surprise, as well as Fiona’s, the hero of this love story is Shrek. Yes, the disgusting but lovely ogre who doesn’t know anything about manners. Shrek breaks all royal etiquette rules. For example, when he goes to the bathroom he uses newspapers sheets, instead of toilet paper, to clean himself. Candles? Who needs to buy them when you can take them out of your own ears? Being nice? Not Shrek. He is always shouting and scaring people to be alone in his marsh. He is rude and rustic, but heroic enough.

Let me tell you that Shrek rescues Fiona twice, from the dangerous dragon and also from Fiona’s pretender, the selfish Lord Farquad. And as it usually happens in fairy tales, Shrek should have kissed Fiona to wake her up, although she wasn’t asleep, with the first kiss of true love. Instead, he shakes her and speaks to her rudely; not exactly as Fiona has been dreaming of. As Fiona says, “I’m waiting a knight so bold to rescue me [...] This is our first meeting. Should it not be a wonderful, romantic moment? You could recite an epic poem for me. A ballad? A sonnet! A Limerick? Or something!”.

 What´s also interesting about Shrek is the fact that he is not ambitious. After finally marrying Fiona, he decides to go on living in his pond instead of living in the royal castle highlighting once again his rustic personality.

          In most fairy tales, the prince fights the dragon in a heroic battle and kills it. In this way, he then becomes the hero. Of course, this is not the case. Shrek’s evil dragon is a female and she strangely falls in love with the donkey, clearing the way for Shrek to go and find Fiona without making much effort. This disappoints Fiona. She complains and says that leaving the dragon alive is not right. Later on, we will see that the dragon and the donkey are now a beautiful and odd couple. The evil creature is now their new best friend.  Can you believe it? At last, this short and fat donkey is better and more courageous than the brave, healthy and white horses that always appear in the fairy tales.

        Many princesses are often shown as well-educated, well-behaved, formal, delicate, weak, naive, and with no fighting skills whatsoever. But doesn’t it look a bit strange to see a beautiful thin princess acting in a way in which usually do? Fiona doesn’t really behave as princesses should.  I can tell you that since she has been captive in that high isolated tower, she has learned to defend herself and adopted some manly characteristics. How does she dare to let that noise come out from her mouth? “Better out than in,” as Shrek and Fiona assert. That kind of attitude is usually performed inside-doors, but Fiona is a tomboy. She also fights against other men and her delicate female appearance does not stop her. It reminds me of someone else… She is very similar to Shrek, isn´t she? That’s because there’s something you still don’t know… Fiona has been cursed with a spell and when the light of the day goes away, she turns into an ogre!

By the end of the movie, Shrek goes to stop Fiona and Lord Farquad’s wedding. He is eager to tell Fiona he is in love with her. Promptly, dusk approaches. She is so tired of hiding her ogre image that ends up revealing it to everybody in the church. Finally, they kiss and Fiona becomes an ogre forever due to that first true love kiss, showing that true love has nothing to do with physical appearance, actually.

 What is also relevant is the prince who is supposed to marry Fiona. We are accustomed to see princes who are handsome and charming. However, Lord Farquad is a short, thin and body-hairy man with a bad temper and very selfish, indeed. He just wants to marry Fiona in order to become a king.  What a pity for Princess Fiona! He is neither the lucky one nor the hero in this film. And he doesn’t know about happy endings since he is eaten by the dragon before he gets married.

   To put it in a nutshell, you have to acknowledge that this movie, my friends, is a clear example of how to exterminate all the possible fairy tales clichés. It actually works and makes you feel part of the story. You! A common human being can also be part of a fairy tale. This amazing story allows everyone to see how stereotypes and rules exist only to be broken. It encourages people to think in a different way. There’s more behind the images you see. Different is good and fresh. Believe me! It reminds you that there’s more than meets the eye. And your children will learn it, too! 

Written by Barletta Mariela, Morilla Maria Cecilia and Veneziale Agustina