Using Critical Race Theory to Analyze How Disney Constructs Diversity: A Construct for the Baccalaureate Human Behavior in the Social Environment Curriculum

Authors

Amy Cappiccie, Western Kentucky University
Janice Chadha, Saint Louis University
Muh Bi Lin, George Fox UniversityFollow
Frank Snyder, Western Kentucky University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

Utilizing the basic tenets of critical race theory, the authors draw upon the expertise of multicultural scholars to raise consciousness and facilitate BSW classroom dialogue about microagressions perpetrated in Disney animations. Microaggressions pervade our media partly because they typically operate outside the thresh-old of the dominant culture’s conscious awareness. Our main consciousness-raising method is to expose social work students to microagressions depicted in Disney animations and then use the classroom as a counterspace to process the experience. We note that utilizing critical race theory to become conscious of microaggressions within Disney animations is the first step toward eradicating them.

Comments

Originally published in Journal of Teaching in Social Work (2012), 32:46-61.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08841233.2012.640252#abstract

Recommended Citation

Cappiccie, Amy; Chadha, Janice; Lin, Muh Bi; and Snyder, Frank, "Using Critical Race Theory to Analyze How Disney Constructs Diversity: A Construct for the Baccalaureate Human Behavior in the Social Environment Curriculum" (2012). Faculty Publications - College of Social Work. 9.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/sw_fac/9