I don't like these kinds of threads about one-to-one connections between what's on screen and what it means to generalized audiences, and it's even more complex with something as tricky and as potentially damaging to reputations as claims of "racism." But let me put it from the point of view of a father of a child (obviously a super-intelligent one, but still a youngster). Is it racism if no one notices? Do you, Simone, or others, really believe that kids, THE PRIMARY AUDIENCE FOR _THE LION KING_ have ANY idea who does the voices for animated characters? That kids from 3 to say, 10 or 1, or older still, really have a clue who is black or white behind the screen or care if they do know ? And if they don't know, much less care, then how could a film show signs of racism solely based on WHO does the voice of allegedly "bad" characters. Are Mexican-Americans ALL coded as "bad" if Cheech Marin does the voice of a hyena? And are all African-Americans coded as bad if Whoopi Goldgerg is also a hyena? Alternately, are all Brits bad because Jeremy Irons does the really bad guy? And if people know it's Whoopi, what about all the GOOD characters she's played for YEARS! Let me give you a different kind of example; this from Disney's _Dumbo_ (1940). The crows who sing the song about seeing an elephant fly are clearly coded as 'black' within the 1940s racist or racialist context. But kids today do not, absolutely do not, pick up any racist undertones or overtones, or anything other than it's cute crows singing about an unlikely event, an elephant flying. There is enough racism in mainstream American society to fight against in most places and venues. Let's not find obscure examples or even non-existent ones. Respectfully, David At 7:49 AM 9/10/96, Simone L. Fary wrote: > Secondly, in my original message, I said that SOME of >the bad animals had African-American voices. I'm not sure that >just because some of the good animals also had AA voices, and >some of the bad ones were white that we should dismiss the >matter. ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]