Excellent thread. Indeed, it’s difficult to say whether or not a child can grasp the biases towards particular ethnic groups during the movie, but I would say that the movie begins a ‘script’ to use a term from Katherine Nelson. These biases are implemented performatively (Judith Butler), built into each accent is an expectation of what comes next.
These ethic stereotypes are negative whenever a group of children in a school or general cultural setting encounters ambiguity. The newcomers to a group who have the accents previously heard in the movies, will be negated with a nickname – usually the character in the movie who has that particular accent.
I’m always hung in the air on the use of movies to boost status of minorities. I understand neoliberalism promotes PC culture in Hollywood, but I’m more in favour of children and adults getting to know difference through 1 to 1 experience. Intentions don’t always equate to consequences.
