I underestimated Disney. For too long, I assumed the conglomerate still majored in vapid princesses in dresses made of unfeasibly shiny fabrics. Happily, I’ve been schooled by small nieces and nephews. Disney’s junior canon is a riot of modern liberalism and progressive values.
In terms of “becoming the change you want to see in the world”, no one can outshine Dottie “Doc” McStuffins, a winsome trainee medic who treats her own toys, ably assisted by a small hippo.
The latest episode of Doc McStuffins includes an interracial lesbian couple (voiced by gay actresses Portia de Rossi and Wanda Sykes) who leave their house when a toy dragon causes an earthquake (standard McStuffins storyline). The show (made in Ireland) focuses on teaching kids how to be great citizens and no big deal is made of diversity: the interracial lesbian couple are just characters like the others.
It’s a winning formula: McStuffins and fellow dynamic heroine, Sofia (who, OK, is a princess in a ridiculous dress) have been credited with an upturn in Disney’s fortunes. Knowing that the teaching of progressive values can be safely devolved to a corporation is a boon for aunties left in charge during the holidays.
