In September 2015, Dr. Adrienne Keene, author of the “Native Appropriations” blog, criticized Netflix’s description of Disney’s “Pocahontas” for its sexualized language and colonial implications. The original synopsis read: “An American Indian woman is supposed to marry the village’s best warrior, but she yearns for something more—and soon meets Capt. John Smith.” Dr. Keene argued that phrases like “American Indian woman” and “yearns” overly sexualized Pocahontas and reduced her to her romantic relationships, ignoring her agency and humanity. She also highlighted the colonial undertones, suggesting that the description implied indigenous life was lacking until the arrival of a white colonizer.
After expressing her concerns on social media and her blog, Dr. Keene received a response from Netflix acknowledging the issues she raised. They agreed to revise the description to better reflect Pocahontas’s active role and to remove the implication that John Smith was her ultimate goal. The updated synopsis stated: “A young American Indian girl tries to follow her heart and protect her tribe when settlers arrive and threaten the land she loves.” This change shifted the focus to Pocahontas’s efforts to safeguard her people and homeland, presenting her as a proactive and courageous individual.
Dr. Keene celebrated this revision as a victory, emphasizing the power of the internet and social media in effecting change. She noted that the new description provided a more accurate portrayal of Pocahontas’s story, aligning with the importance of representing indigenous figures with respect and authenticity. This incident underscored the significance of language in media descriptions and the impact such portrayals have on public perceptions of historical and cultural narratives.
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