The Lion King 1½: Judaism, White Pride, and Paranoia

Comments · 3.2K

• JA

  @jaimie1938 · 3 years ago

  Can't decide if I've just watched a really compelling and thought-provoking video essay or a 53 minute-long mental breakdown.

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• CH

  @Chordata-flyer · 3 years ago

  What's unfortunate is that they did the Meerkats as dirty as they did the Hyenas. Meerkats are aggressive warrior-like little critters that can sleep off snake venom, hunt small lizards and regularly eat venomous insects like scorpions and Millipedes. They defend their burrows fervently and have a strict social hierarchy that isn't even hinted at in any version of the movies all while maintaining tight familial bonds and careful relationships between each other. They're such a complex little species.

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• GO

  @Gormathius · 2 years ago

  I can't believe I forgot the single best line in the entire movie "Not exactly. We can't digest grass. We're grass intolerant."

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• NU

  @NukkuiskoHyvinVaiPois · 3 years ago

  I can't get over Mufasa's "respect the lower class" speech, it's so magnificent! Thank you!

  997

• EM

  @Emperor-Quill · 3 years ago

  This video is the perfect combination of both "well-researched analysis" and "absolutely batshit unhinged".

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• EA

  @earth_5496 · 3 years ago

  "If we're worried our kids might have taken the wrong message from a film, we can sit them down and talk to them." I want that quote written on a monument that will be built over a crypt containing every Disney live action remake.

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• TA

  @Tahmis_Googboi · 3 years ago

  As a kid who grew up with this movie, I found it really fascinating to watch.<br><br>As a kid named TOM who grew up with this movie, I collapsed in my seat laughing.

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• HA

  @hamishstewart5324 · 3 years ago (edited)

  Something that’s always ticked me off is how the Lion King popularised the idea that lions are the unchallenged top predators of the savanna, while hyenas are the dumb, pathetic scavengers destined to scrounge off of the predators. On the contrary, hyenas themselves ARE predators, and are known to kill most of their prey, while also directly competing with not only lions, but also leopards, wild dogs, cheetahs, and other predators. They also have jaws powerful enough to crush right through bone and intelligence rivalling or even surpassing primates in some areas such as teamwork. A troop of hyenas is a terrifying force to be reckoned with, and it’s even been theorised by some that the reason lions evolved to live in prides was BECAUSE of pressure from hyenas. <br><br>Another thing I want to mention is that, when raised in isolation away from these competitive conditions, hyenas and lions can actually be quite friendly towards each other if taught to socialise properly with each other, as can a lot of animals that normally can’t stand each other, thereby further suggesting that the whole “behaviour is an unchangeable part of us” isn’t even true given the fact that both humans and animals are capable of adapting our behaviour.

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• MB

  @mbot1901 · 3 years ago

  This is simultaniously the most and least cohesive video essay I have ever seen and I love it

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• RE

  @RedBirdRabbit · 3 years ago

  &quot;your red is different from my red; I can&apos;t see through the blood&quot; holy SHIT what a line to drop in a comedy bit in a video about a direct-to-dvd lion king sequel

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• GI

  @GingerTyPerior · 3 years ago (edited)

  Lion King 1 1/2 had a quantifiable impact on my life. The special features had a dark ride simulator where you rode a robot wildebeest through the story of the lion king where things go wrong. I remember a scene where the Hyenas chase you and then the lights turn on and they’re just eyes on sticks. <br><br>I work in lighting in theme parks now.

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• PE

  @pennyjpie · 2 years ago

  You know <b>as a black person</b> I always saw the Lions as “African” growing up. Like legitimately I never once saw them as “white” or whatever? They had African names, many of them were voiced by black/African people, all the songs were African, especially the Circle of Life…I just assumed that it was a homage to African people personified as animals in this story… And that the Hyenas might represent out groups taking over pre-established lands and peoples with their greed. (Kinda like that Colonialism thing that happened which destroyed the balance in many African peoples land and actually cause famine and death..)<br><br>So like the concept that apparently many many people, including white supremacists see the lions as white is really weird to me. And the fact that the text is seeing the Hyenas as lowlife people and representing the black people or whatever is kinda weird to process. It’s like saying The Proud Family is actually about white people with re-vitiligo. :/ <br><br>Maybe because I see the Lion King from this perspective is why I can never discredit it or it’s message as bad? Because like…all you have to do is change the groups and situations around and suddenly it’s not the same meaning at all.

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