Zootopia

“You come here unannounced on the day my daughter is to be married. I trusted you Nicky. I welcomed you into my home. We broke bread together, gramama made you a connoli. And how did you repay my generosity? With a rug, made from the butt of a skunk. A skunk-butt rug. You disrespected me. You disrespected my gramama who I buried in that skunk-butt rug. I told you never to show your face again but here you are snooping around with this, what are you? … Say hello to gramama.” Apart from one dude saying the animation sucks who clearly is just an idiot, the only criticism I’ve seen of this is that it’s a little on the nose. The ‘racism is bad’ message is too simple, right in your face and lacks any nuance. As this is the only real criticism, if I can prove it’s not true then I’ve proved this is the best film of all time, right?  Firstly, this isn’t just about racism. It’s about all kinds of prejudices and not in a way that’s broad and simple. At different points it’s specifically about different groups. It’s overtly anti-sexist, anti-racist, ant-classist, even anti-fascist and more.  The most notable metaphor is that for race. Predators vs prey is clearly a division between two racial groups where predators are the ethnic minority accounting for about 10% of the population. The argument being used is that predators are predisposed to violence as it’s in their DNA: an argument used commonly as an excuse for racism. On a small scale you’d hear this being used to justify a higher incarceration rate for black people in America and scaled up this idea of eugenics is core to ethno nationalist movements like that in the 1930s. To debunk the idea that certain groups are predisposed to violence or in anyway genetically deserving of oppression is about as important a message as anything. It’s both deeply intwined into historic racial movements and an argument used today. Zootopia’s panic over savage predators and immediate drastic conclusions are just like the reaction we’re seeing from people believing immigrants are more likely to be violent (despite no evidence for this.) Whether in real life it’s a belief they’re genetically predisposed or, more commonly a belief that violence is cultural (whatever tf that means) the proposition that a minority population are more likely to be criminal and thus should be targeted is not something confined to the history books. For me, deconstructing common supremacist and eugenics arguments in a kids film isn’t too simple at all. Not to mention this is only one of many, many messages.  The next biggest is probably the sexism. Judy has to work harder than any of her male counterparts due to the constant prejudgments and microaggressions. Shes infantilised (called cute) belittled (‘you’re just a meter maid’) and has her competence constantly questioned (instantly assigned parking duty.) She’s never taken seriously which makes it almost impossible to get anything done. It shows you can overcome the physical barriers for equality but whilst discrimination still exists there’s no level playing field at all. The way the assistant mayor is treated is equally as poor and I just refuse to believe it’s too bland a message to say you can’t treat women this way because it’s not, it’s radical. We’ve just seen Frage infantilising a journalist in interviews and Trump calling one a ‘piggy.’ This is often the way men in powerful positions speak to and think of women RIGHT NOW so idc if it’s only 9 years old, this film is ahead of its time.  Next metaphor is probably my favourite and it’s all about Nick (the fox.) Our first meeting of him instantly shows him being racially profiled by Judy (an officer) and racially discriminated against by the shop owner. Whilst the film is very clearly modelled on America (‘Serve and protect’ etc) and refusing a customer because of their race isn’t legal (anymore) my first thoughts were to an America before the civil rights movement or to Fascist Germany / Italy with him being refused service. It’s like a ‘No Coloureds allowed’ or ‘No Jews or dogs’ sign. This is ur overt racism so fair enough if it’s too dead on for you but it’s paired with the subtleties too. It’s the instant fear of Nick because of what he looks like with more stereotypes and micro aggressions. Judy is surprised a predator is so articulate showing she’s got her own prejudices herself snd she’s brought her own biases from her childhood experiences with foxes and from her parents. Racism is taught from a young age primarily by framing of childhood experience and often passed from parents. Onto my favourite bit though which is about Nick’s childhood and what’s made him the hustler he is. He’s not born a criminal rather made one by society. The other kids don’t trust him, bully him and turn him into the societal outcast he remains. Repeat abuse, constant judgment and rejection especially from childhood is gonna have that effect. People often conform to what is forced upon and expected of them (labelling theory.) Nick is a great example of a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Some of the political stuff I like too is how the assistant mayor creates division for political advancement. It shows just how easy it is to rally hate and how quickly it can spread throughout instituons. People are relocated out of the public eye to protect image. Once this racial hatred develops it spreads rapidly and institutions themselves unwittingly become responsible. It’s also started by Judy’s speech showing even the ‘good’ cops do wrong and it takes more than just not being a bad cop to be a good one. Plus it’s crucial to think for yourself and challenge truths. Even in this utopia it’s possible to create division by playing on permanently existing judgments alongside some disinformation. This will always happen: it’s timeless. I couldn’t help but think about Noem Chomsky’s theory of Manufacturing Consent. The rundown is that propaganda in democracy’s is more subtle but more effective than in autocracies. News outlets don’t tell u what to think but rather what to think about, like how the message isn’t strictly that all predators are savages but coverage of the predators is large and the clip of Judy saying it could be genetic would likely be viral. It’s all about repetition and framing. There’s way more to manufacturing consent but hey it’s just an overly simple kids film remember. There’s a load more in the film but I know I’m gonna rewatch this so I’ll leave a little unvisited. To summarise then: There’s no such thing as utopia. Prejudice is complex, harmful and often invisible. Even the best people are guilty of discriminating. Power systems can weponise fear to divide society. Change requires self-awareness and courage. Certain groups aren’t predisposed to crime rather criminality is created. And you can be whatever the hell you want to be. Don’t let ur rabbit parents, fox childhood bully, buffalo boss or society as a whole tell you what you what you are. Ur a hot ass bunny. Own it. Yes I watched this twice in one day. What r u gonna do about it?