Princess or Warrior

Pocahontas is probably one of the most underrated heroines of Disney animation. She was the Disney Princess I looked up to as a child. Reason I admired her over every other Disney Princesses is that while other Princesses were focused on their own lives. She was an environmentalist. Proud of her heritage and people, Pocahontas was a humanitarian and probably the only Princess who gave up her Prince to be with her people. 

The first time lead character John Smith is introduced to her, the conversation between them is so deep. Discussing the cultural diversity, learning about each other’s world. 

John smith was incredibly handsome, popular and well educated with much exposure to the world compared to this “simple” girl. He knew these facts very well, making him slightly arrogant and proud. Pocahontas puts him in his place by displaying her knowledge of the wild in an amazing song. 

You think I’m an ignorant savage
. And you’ve been so many places 
I guess it must be so
, But still I cannot see
If the savage one is me
. How can there be so much that you don’t know
? You don’t know. You think you own whatever land you land on
, The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim
 But I know every rock and tree and creature
, Has a life, has a spirit, has a name 

Though this movie was set in the 17th century the dialogue is still very relatable. 4 centuries later this song still applies to us. We’re still treating the Earth as a dead land. Taking whatever we want from it. Destroying forests and the homes of animals living in it. Dumping all industrial waste in the ocean. Putting up walls, creating boundaries acting like we own this Earth. 

You think the only people who are people
 Are the people who look and think like you
 But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
 You’ll learn things you never knew, you never knew. Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon 
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned
, Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains
? Can you paint with all the colors of the wind

You think the only people, are people who look and think like you, could she be more honest? We only prefer interacting with people with same interest or status as our own. Anybody else is usually not worth our time or just labelled weird if they are different from our normal. Judgment is flowing through our veins. Compassion died somewhere along the journey. People have amazing stories to tell we just never bother asking. 

Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest Come taste the sun sweet berries of the Earth, Come roll in all the riches all around you And  for once, never wonder what they’re worth

Appreciating nature as it is. She challenges John Smith to just stop trying to put a price tag on everything and really enjoy what the world has to offer. The song goes on but I only shared enough to get my message across. She taught me at a very early age about the kind of woman I wanted to be, not just a princess but also a warrior. 

Red Indians were considered backward savages. Ironic, isn’t it? If “savages” are more open minded, brave, accepting, Why are we trying to make the world more civilised, Remind me again? 

And we are all connected to each other In a circle, in a hoop that never ends

Love, 

Manal