Where are the Positives in Aladdin?

I can remember the first time I went to Disneyworld like it was yesterday…I was around the age of seven, I rocked a blonde, mushroom cut hairstyle, and my obsession with the movie Aladdin was getting out of control. I remember running around the amusement park trying to find the “real life” character of Jasmine, AKA the overly tan, white girl Magic Kingdom paid to pose as Jasmine for $7.50 an hour. After a discussion in class on this film, it further justified my ideas of why I should have chosen to remain in my Fantasia obsessed phase of life. I am not here to bash Aladdin because indeed the soundtrack is still to this day one of my all time favorites, however, I am here, to question it. The orientalism factor behind this film distorts the accuracy of what Arabic culture is and who Arabic people are. When people watch this movie, whether young or old, it is clear that this theme of exoticism arises, which captivates the audience because these characters are so “different”. The actions of the characters, especially Jafar, paint this false picture of Arab motives and their lifestyle, as Edward Said states, “In films and television the Arab is associated either with lechery or bloodthirsty dishonest. He appears as an oversexed degenerate, capable, it is true, of cleverly devious intrigues, but essentially sadistic, treacherous, low.” Okay, so this might be a bit of a stretch for Jafar considering this is a children’s movie, however, it is clear that with this Westernized portrayal of the Middle East, it is emphasized that this Arab man lacks morals and is borderline barbaric based on his actions and words.

            Aladdin’s “rags to riches” dream parallels with the Western “American Dream” of pursuing a future that provides good fortune financially. The characters of Aladdin and Jasmine also have visibly lighter skin than every other character featured in the film…coincidence? I think not. By portraying them as whiter, it emphasizes the cruel nature behind Jafar even more, which then causes a white audience to subconsciously form these ideas that darker skin equates to negativity. Jasmine’s character dressed in revealing clothing also illustrates this idea of the “sexual” and “exotic” nature of Eastern women, an idea formed all thanks to these pathetic Eurocentric ideas. So sure, my younger self was found singing “on a magic carpet ride” here and there, but aside from the catchy tunes, were there really any positive messages I took out of watching this film? Disney has found itself in many uncomfortable positions, not only with Aladdin, however, with countless other films portraying this “Mark of the Plural”. Either more accurate representations of certain cultures and people need to be exemplified within Disney’s films, or little white girls will continue to wander around the parks of Disney World, tracking down characters that promote disillusions and false realities.