MovieChat Forums > Zootopia (2016) Discussion > Predators = white men

Predators = white men

posted 8 years ago by desertgaara1995
13 replies | jump to latest

Most people seem to think the predators is a metaphor for the Muslims or the blacks or some other minority, but I got the opposite impression.

The predators were the ones who had all the power throughour history, while everyone else was the "victim". The predators also held positions of power (I mean the mayor was a lion)

The movie could be seen as a metaphor for how certain groups are prejudiced towards white people for their past (colonization etc.) The reason why predators were the minority was because in a few decades that's how it's going to be in the west. White people have among the lowest birth rates so it wouldn't be far fetched if certain minorities of today will be the majorities in the future.

[–] mrmoo2001 8 years ago

Interesting.

So one one hand we have a far-leftist message of how anyone can be anything (no matter how physically unqualified they might actually be, and obstacle course schmobstacle course Judy would have been lunch if she'd faced off with an angry wolf on the street) and that giving certain demographics unfair advantages for the sake of warm equality feels might be a good thing.

And on the other we have the very not far-leftist message that suggests that vilifying white men as predators can only lead to destruction, and that maybe we should get over the fact that white men run the place because geez look what happened when a chick tried to run things and besides it's us that keeps voting for dudes.

Take them to the security kitchen!

[–] TutuAnimationPrincess 8 years ago

At this point I would hope most agree that this movie is meant to be seen as allegorical more than metaphorical. The predators represent exactly what they say they are...predators in the animal kingdom. Even the 10% predators to 90% prey ratio is the true to life number for the animal kingdom.

"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"

[–] Laserseightoclockdayone 8 years ago

You guys should give centrism a try sometime.

This message can be taken either way. Majority views of minority populations, minority views on majority populations, anyone's views on historical injustices and the ancestors of the people who committed them.

Prejudicial views can swing any direction conceivable based on one's perspective.

[–] The_Ginger_Man 8 years ago

The thing people miss, is that the metaphors weren't clear cut in this movie. It doesn't point the finger and lay all blame in one corner, or make the sort of clear analogies between animals and real world human groups.

Some progressives were whining that the movie didn't assume a clear enough anti-cop stance, and therefore was suspect. Similarly, conservatives in some cases prejudged the movie to be yet another simplistic minorities good / white man bad type of story from Hollywood.

Makes sense that it made over a billion bucks, by not needlessly alienating large segments of the audience to score partisan political points. One can compare how well progressive agenda driven Iraq war movies generally do with the mass audience, or the recent anti-gun Miss Sloane.

[–] amandaef2000-917-397520 8 years ago

I agree. Some liberals and conservatives hate this movie. However, the makers could have unintentionally put out a message that is more independent thinking. The predators representing whites is not that hard of a stretch. The movie makes a point to show racism can be complex. Even look at the movie Moana. It is kind of showing the issue some islands may face if/when they become uninhabitable for humans. In fact it also could put certain refugees in a positive light. I assume the makers of Moana are real liberal but they show Maui and Moana as humans in their natural state along side nature in a positive way. Toy Story 3 had the message life does not stay the same and has a libertarian message. Of course I am more conservative/ independent think so you could argue I would naturally see these movie that way.

[–] HeelTaker 8 years ago

Hmmm personally I am almost 100% sure the whole sequence on the train where the frightened mother pulls her child closer to her and away from the predator and the scenes immediately preceding and following were about Muslims and terrorism.

The savage predators were terrorists and the innocent predators were wrongly feared Muslims.

Pretty much the number one hot button issue of our current society, and quite a brilliant way to tackle it and hopefully teach a generation better thinking.

[–] FishFu 8 years ago

The savage predators were terrorists and the innocent predators were wrongly feared Muslims.

Uh huh, and what does the nighthowler represent? ISIS propaganda? The Koran used (in)correctly?

Seems like a stretch to point to a specific group and say "it represents this group at this time" because it can apply to many different groups and societies. It's more general than that.

[–] wittmann73 8 years ago

Hillary disagrees.

[–] FishFu 8 years ago

Hillary who?

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] OhNooos 8 years ago

Sorry - predators are simply those who are seen as a threat and it can happen in any society. Since the movie was pointing out how racial profiling doesn't work, it strongly suggests a parallel to profiling of Muslims in the USA.

I see this type of thinking from time to time and I find it interesting that white people are feeling so threatened. Did you know that racism is not innate? Fear of the other is somewhat natural, but then is goaded further by culture and acceptance. When people take the time to talk with one another, to become familiar and to make connections, much of the fear dissipates. In the meantime, I tend to find suggestions that white people are being targeted as really a smokescreen for a deep seated prejudice.

Imagine how hard it is to be a Muslim in the US. You have to be so aware that you are not offensive to anyone. You are aware of all the police, because they might stop you to harass you. White people do not have to censor themselves to the same degree. This is only one small example of what some minorities face.

[–] FishFu 8 years ago

Sorry - predators are simply those who are seen as a threat and it can happen in any society. Since the movie was pointing out how racial profiling doesn't work, it strongly suggests a parallel to profiling of Muslims in the USA.

Whites are seen as threats by opposing ideologies too.

I see this type of thinking from time to time and I find it interesting that white people are feeling so threatened.

I think the reason whites feel threatened is because progressives accuse them of things like "white privilege" (whatever that is) and having racist original sin where if you're white, you're racist and oppressive because it's historical that whites have been imperialistic and prejudice.

Imagine how hard it is to be a Muslim in the US. You have to be so aware that you are not offensive to anyone. You are aware of all the police, because they might stop you to harass you. White people do not have to censor themselves to the same degree. This is only one small example of what some minorities face.

Are you kidding?

White people walk on eggshells with anything related to race in the USA in fear of being called racist. Police have actually avoided interacting with certain minorities in certain situations in fear of being accused of hate crimes.

Discussions about race are generally one sided where white people are not allowed opinions.

Minorities can generally get away with being prejudice and intolerant towards white people in public, because they are perceived as victims so it is justified.

[–] DarklordRB 8 years ago

I'm sorry, but predators obviously represent minorities.

Look at this scene... https://68.media.tumblr.com/f6e220e7cc314743d131fc40c7f7f583/tumblr_inline_o27a3wMvY01qzflvx_540.jpg

If that tiger was black or a Muslim and those rabbits backing away from him represent whites, then they're backing away from him because they have a negative perception that his kind are violent.