Best Choice for Emerging Scholars

Personally, I would recommend having them read Black and White. This book contains many issues that are still dealt with throughout the country and might give them a better understanding of some of these issues. Issues with race and prejudice are still faced in schools and this book would be a fairly decent representation of a real life situation other than the fact that the ending may disappoint. The students could also discuss their feelings towards the book as a way to voice their opinions as well. This could lead into a constructive discussion on negative stereotypes and how they make students feel. There are many issues dealt with in this book that are represented fairly and unfairly, which makes it a great catalyst for conversation.

Disney's Mulan

I don't agree with the statement that Disney's Mulan has been "over" westernized. The story has been westernized, no doubt, but not to the point where it takes away from the story and Chinese culture that is involved. I feel like even though the Disney version has been altered, it still contains many aspects of Chinese culture as well as original details from the Chinese story of Mulan, which make a great movie for Disney's audience. Without the story being westernized, Disney's audience might not be as accepting. It is hard for a younger audience to fully grasp the concept of different cultures, which is why it is essential that Mulan be westernized to accommodate Disney's audience. Westernization may take some of the rich, cultural aspects away from the original story, but it still leaves younger audience's with enough diversity to spark an interest in different things. I don't think the Disney audience would be able to relate to someone like Ailin, who is more representative of true Chinese culture because the typical Disney audience wouldn't quite understand some of her cultural beliefs and practices, which would push them away from being accepting towards a character such as this. Ailin is a great character, who is quite representative of a rebellion against previous Chinese culture, and would be more widely accepted by an older audience who has the insight and understanding of different cultures.