Mickey Mouse and American Neurosis

In historian Mike Wallace's Mickey Mouse History, Wallace explores how Disney theme parks have affected American understanding of history. Specifically, Wallace considers how Disney's the Hall of Presidents, The American Adventure, and other attractions affect American understanding of history. However, for the sake of brevity, the post will only specifically explore Disney's The American Adventure seeing as it the youngest of the attractions related to history.

The American Adventure offers and idealistic run through of American history from Pilgrims arriving on North America's shores to "American Future." Though the presentation notes conflict in American past, figures like Martin Luther King Jr. are presented as more icons that actually spokespeople for their particular movements (150-152). Indeed, conflict in American past is hardly explored at all; instead, America is presented as a nation that has dealt with its past conflicts and moved on (152). The presentation is also curiously silent on important events in American history such as labor movements and the Vietnam War. In the end, America is displayed as a country with "imperfect but still inevitable progress" who has risen above the problems of the past despite current difficulties with poverty, sexism, racism etc (150).

A scene from Disney's The American Adventure

Wallace examines The American Adventure and other Disney "historical" attractions, and he concludes that they are less historical and more historicidal. They distort history unabashedly in a public setting where millions of people visit each year. Noting the popularity of such attractions, Wallace believes that this is a symptom of problems with American's understanding of history. "I think the country at large needs to reflect upon the consequences of the corporate commodification of history" (154). He asserts that if a country feels the need to alter or repress memories of itself, it could be a symptom of historical neurosis. He hauntingly concludes, "The past is too important to be left to the private sector. If we wish to restore our social health, we had better get beyond Mickey Mouse History" (155).

I believe that the best way to address a problem is to being as transparent about it as possible with one's self. In the same way, if a community has a problem it is often best to address the problem with as much honesty and transparency as possible no matter how difficult one's past may be. To do otherwise, to do as Disney does, is to allow the problem to fester as the community carries on with a kind of mania that will demand a reckoning eventually. America the free only if it retains its history.