Disney has given us some of the most insightful and profound stories that teach us critical life lessons. Two of the recent movies that have caught our attention are Aladdin and Coco. Both films are brilliant in their own ways, and they teach us an essential life lesson that we often tend to overlook, which is understanding and accepting others.
In Aladdin, we see a street rat who dreams of something better. Aladdin is a classic tale of the power of love, self-worth, and redemption. The story teaches us that the true value of someone is their inner qualities, not their wealth, status, or appearance. Aladdin is just a boy who wants to make a better life for himself, but he’s judged by others based on his social status. This judgement blinds the others to see the true intention of Aladdin and often leads others to dismiss his worth, qualities, and ultimately friendship.
On the other hand, there’s Coco, a heartwarming tale about family, culture, and the afterlife. The story is set in Mexico and follows the journey of young Miguel, who discovers the secrets of his family’s past and how it all connects with the music of his ancestors. The story’s primary message revolves around accepting and honoring family traditions, even when they seem challenging to understand. It teaches us that the dead can be remembered in many meaningful ways, and their spirit does not only live on in our memories but also through the celebrations of the living.
When you look at both films, you can’t help but notice how the main characters have been judged based on their social status, their looks, or even their race. Aladdin’s situation is comparable to how many of us are often not given a chance to prove ourselves because of our social status, financial situation or the color of our skin. Coco’s tale is all about accepting and celebrating different cultures and traditions that may seem alien to yours but hold profound meaning and value for someone else.
The most profound lesson here is the importance of understanding others. In Aladdin, we see the conversation between Jasmine and Aladdin when Aladdin asks Jasmine, ‘Do you trust me?’. Jasmine’s first reaction is to say no because she has only seen Aladdin from the lens of his social and economic status. Aladdin then spends the rest of the movie trying to prove himself and opening Jasmine’s eyes to see him for who he is, not his social standing. Meanwhile, in Coco, we see the conversation between great-grandmother Coco and Miguel. Miguel could only understand the beauty of the tradition when he could connect it with the story of his family. He gained a new perspective that has taught him the importance of respecting and valuing different traditions.
These movies show us that understanding others requires us to keep an open mind, refrain from prejudices and judgments based on status and race. Only by doing so, will it be possible to seek out the true essence of a person. Besides, it teaches us to listen to people’s stories, to recognize their value and worth. It reminds us to respect diverse cultures that may be foreign to us but that hold unique features and profound traditions that contribute to the richness of humanity.
Disney’s characters inspire us to always look for the goodness in others and never judge them based on their social or economic status. We must strive to understand others, recognize their worth and realize the importance of keeping an open mind when it comes to different traditions and cultures. Only then will we be able to live a fulfilling life that is driven by empathy, compassion and a genuine desire to understand the people around us.
In conclusion, we learn from Disney’s movies that life is about more than just what we see on the surface. We must invest time and effort in getting to know people and learn to accept and honor our differences. The stories of Aladdin and Coco illustrate just how important it is to understand others and how much this understanding can enrich our lives. We must strive to see the good in people, understand their traditions and values, and accept them for who they are. By practicing empathy and compassion, we create a world that is more accepting and nurturing, making it a better place for all.
Disney’s Aladdin and Coco teach us to understand and accept others, including their social status, race, and traditions. Life is about more than surface appearances, and investing time and effort to get to know people enriches our lives with empathy and compassion.
“Disney has shown us that the power of storytelling can teach us valuable life lessons that we can apply to our own lives. Through movies like Aladdin and Coco, we learn the importance of understanding and accepting others for who they are. These films remind us that everyone has a story, and it is up to us to listen and appreciate the diversity that surrounds us.” – Unknown
