Moana Drama

While there are many things you could be excited for this Thanksgiving: grandma's stuffing, the big football game, fall flavored coffees, there is nothing quite as exciting as a new Disney movie. To the delight of most Disney's upcoming animated film will feature the story of a Polynesian girl named Moana and a Polynesian demi god, Maui, both voiced by actors of Polynesian descent. For Pacific people of color this is a great move forward by Disney, and an interesting opportunity for representation.

However Disney has already dug itself into some deep trouble with activists and Polynesian natives, not only for the depiction of Maui in the movie, with some calling him an overweight stereotype, but also for a Maui costume they released for Halloween.



While I absolutely cannot decide for a minority what is and what is considered offensive, I do disagree with calling the custom racist. Creating a brown skin costume for young children to wear is unnecessary and horribly racial insensitive, but it is does not perpetuate a stereotype or discrimination against Polynesian people. Where as black or yellow face exaggerates and stereotypes the features of a race, this brown skin custom is simply brown because Maui is brown. Is it right to let little kids wear another person's skin color? Probably not, but Disney's intentions were clearly to represent a character and not an entire people.

Whether or not children are disrespecting or appropriating Polynesian culture, is not my forte. There are adults who often travel to an island or live there for a while, learn of the culture and customs, and then partake in some of the traditions such as getting a traditional tattoo. And as long as children are learning about and respecting a culture, I see no reason for them to be allowed to share and partake in it. It is not fair to expect Disney to represent a culture and not expect the audience to be able to partake in that culture, just as it is irresponsible for Disney to introduce a custom and not educate its young consumers about its origins.

I don't know who at the Walt Disney Company sat down and decided this costume would be a good idea. I do know that I will be in theaters this Thanksgiving to see Maui himself on the big screen. And I also know that a large amount of critics and supporters of the costume will be right beside me.