A Classic Disney Song Is The Latest To Get Called Out For Sexist And Problematic Lyrics
This holiday season, several classic songs and movies have been called out by people who claim that their messages are problematic. Recently, the Christmas song "Baby It's Cold Outside" was pulled from several Canadian radio stations. Next, the animated kid's movie Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer was at the centre of controversy over "abusive and problematic" themes.
READ ALSO: This Christmas Song Is Receiving So Much Hate That Canadian Radio Stations Are No Longer Playing It
Now, another classic song is under fire. "Kiss The Girl" from Disney's The Little Mermaid is now being called "misogynistic" by some people because of its lyrics. For decades, this song has been a beloved Disney classic. Disney has not responded to the criticism.
An a capella singing group at Princeton University sparked backlash when they performed "Kiss The Girl". The all-male group has now pulled the song from their performances after getting several complaints about its lyrics and the message it may promote about consent, according to The Huffington Post.
An article in the Daily Princetonian even criticized the song. Noa Wollstein wrote in the column that the song "is more misogynistic and dismissive of consent than cute" and "by performing the song multiple times each semester, the Tigertones elevate it to an offensive and violating ritual." She also added that "the song launches a heteronormative attack on women’s right to oppose the romantic and sexual liberties taken by men".
But, many people are fed up with all the criticism that classic songs and movies are receiving and don't agree that "Kiss The Girl" promotes a problematic message. Some even argue that there are songs on the radio with much more alarming themes than this Disney song. Check out some of the reactions on social media.
Today I learned that people want to ban the song ‘Kiss The Girl’ from The Little Mermaid because the message is too forward. Radio stations are banning “Baby its cold outside” for being too pushy & suggestive.Is there ONE thing on this planet that someone isn’t offended by.
We can’t listen to “Kiss the Girl” from The Little Mermaid, but your favorite rapper, who had a verse bout raping women, can be making hit after hit bout the bitches he bags lol wild world we live in
Hello, Eric needs to kiss Ariel in order to free her from being turned into a sea slug thing and growing out of Ursula's floor for the rest of her life. Ariel cannot explain this because she has no voice. Therefore, Eric *should* kiss the girl. That is all.
Ok I have to say something about these songs people are protesting over. KISS THE GIRL???? REALLY??? Ariel knows she needs the prince to kiss her. She can't talk. She wants him to kiss her. Good Lord! #thelittlemermaid
Apparently, 'Kiss the Girl' from The Little Mermaid “Launches a heteronormative attack on women’s rights...” SJWs are beyond parody. https://t.co/75EorloXot
Please explain to me how someone who’s MUTE can give verbal consent 😭😂😂 https://t.co/cdMtWDfwFh
In The Little Mermaid, the song "Kiss The Girl" encourages Prince Eric to plant one on Ariel, a mermaid who gave up her voice in exchange for legs and needs a kiss from the prince to gain it back.
Sebastian, who is appointed by her father to watch over her, tries to encourage the prince in this song to kiss Ariel so that she can get her voice back. The song does not explicitly ask permission to kiss her, which has prompted the discussion over whether its dismissive of consent. Some people are arguing that throughout the movie, Ariel makes it clear that she wants him to kiss her.
In response to the backlash, the singing group's president Wesley Brown apologized for offending anyone and said that the song would be banned until they could perform it without making anyone feel uncomfortable, according to Global News.