Disney’s Recent Films Are Demonstrating the Inadequacies of Individualism
As Westerners, we’re unknowingly swimming in a culture of expressive individualism.
Expressive individualism (long story short) is the marriage between self-definition and self-expression.
Expressive individualism says, “I am who I want to be.” (Hence phrases like, “You do you.”)
This theme is prevalent in all spheres of society, including the realm of film. Disney has produced films with this undertone. A few examples of expressive individualism in past Disney movies could be as follows:
“The Little Mermaid” Rather than being bound to her life at sea, Ariel risks her father’s kingdom to become a human being in the pursuit of love.
“Wreck-it Ralph” Instead of living life as the antagonist of a video game, Ralph reinvents himself as one of the good guys.
“Frozen” Elsa reconciles her painful past by stepping into her true self as a magical queen.
But the last two popular Disney films seem to paint a fuller picture of human identity and what it means for us to understand ourselves for flourishing.
“Encanto” and “Turning Red” are stories that highlight the need for bridging generational divides, and how family issues play such a powerful force in the lives of individuals. From Mirabel’s recognition of the division between her grandma and the family to Mei Lee’s understanding of her mother’s upbringing, these movies have the same major point:
Personal identity is never so personal.
Our understanding of ourselves and our sense of overall well-being is always tied to something bigger. It’s tied to a community.
Yes individuality matters, but our individuality requires and is redeemed in the broader community. This makes me think about what the Bible teaches about the relationship between identity and community:
1. We discover ourselves through others.
God fashioned us as individuals, but we cannot “find ourselves” through individuality. We were designed for community and will understand ourselves in the context of community.
Think about how the Bible talks about spiritual gifts (as an example). The Bible does not say we wake up one morning knowing what our gifts are. The Bible talks about the “one anothers’” and that we should serve others around us. The point is that we, much like Mirabel’s family, discover our unique gifts and personalities in the context of a village.
2. We’re healed in the context of others.
Yes, we’re often hurt in the context of community. It is family, friendships, and church community who can hurt us. And yet, it will be the exact same community that can heal us.
Therapy, spiritual direction, and vacations are wonderful tools. But in the end, it is in coming face to face with others in which we’re heard, understood, forgiven, reconciled, and healed in belonging. Healing was a ministry of Jesus. This is something the Body of Christ is also invited to. And it begins as we, like Mei’s family, come to understand the pains and hurts of one another.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling isolated and alone, I want to encourage you to reach out to someone today. I want to encourage you to get back in the church. If you’re attending church, I want to invite you to take that next step and join a group. Yes, it is scary. Yes, it is a risk. But the greater risk is to continue to live in isolation. Ambiguity and anxiety will always be greater in isolation than in community (and I say that as a proud introvert).
If you’re a member of a congregation, I want to invite you to pay attention to those around you who seem to be alone and isolated. Consider sitting next to them at the church service. Invite them to eat with you. Ask them how you can pray. Who knows? Maybe He’s inviting you to be an agent of healing for someone else.
Community isn’t just good for us. It is essential for our humanity.
It is essential for our individuality.
