Diane Disney Miller is upset and she’s not worried about anyone knowing it. Miller is the only surviving child of Walt Disney, the creator of Mickey Mouse and so much more. What has Ms. Miller so upset? A recent article in the Daily News reported that the Islamic group Hamas is currently using this iconic figure as a teaching tool for Islamic radicalism.
Seriously?
Yes, seriously.
Farfur the Mickey Look Alike
Hamas’ Al-Aqsa television station began airing a program called Tomorrow’s Pioneers in April. The show features Farfur, a Mickey Mouse look alike right down to the tuxedo and the high-pitched voice. Farfur tells kids all about the importance of drinking milk and praying. That’s respectable enough, but Farfur also teaches children that they need to arm themselves and reach for the goal of taking over the world under Islamic rule.
Ms. Miller is very upset about the issue, considering that Mickey Mouse is iconic to children all over the world and he doesn’t usually represent a political or religious agenda.
Of course I feel personal about Mickey Mouse, but it could be Barney as well. It’s not just Mickey, it’s indoctrinating children like this, teaching them to be evil.
Ms. Miller is Not Alone
Ms. Miller is not alone in her dismay over this turn of events. The Fatah movement is also in opposition to this programming. It’s important to note that the Fatah movement is the political opponent of Hamas. The Fatah’s Palestinian Broadcasting corporation head, Basem Abu Sumaya said:
I don’t think it’s professional or even humane to use children in such harsh political programs.
Oddly enough, the Walt Disney Company itself has had no comment on this matter at all.
I’m not sure how I feel about it, other than I don’t like the idea of indoctrinating children at all. I wouldn’t care for marketing hate to children in any form. The idea of taking over the world seems to imply hate, but I haven’t actually seen the program so I can’t say for certain whether I can agree. I do feel for Ms. Miller, however, she wants to protect her father’s legacy and I don’t think this is what Walt had in mind.
What do you think?
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