Lessons from Zootopia: A Movie about Tolerance and Personal Growth
Zootopia is a kid’s movie that also has plenty of lessons for the adults who watch it. In the movie, main character Judy Hopps, a little rabbit, works hard to achieve her dream: working for the Zootopia Police Department, despite her family’s protests and the lack of support from those close to her. We can learn important lessons from Zootopia. The audience will notice similarities between the film and everyday society. It’s like a mirror reflecting ourselves back at us to help us learn important values such as tolerance and personal growth.
Zootopia, a reflection of our world
The animals in the movie are subtle representations of social groups. Every animal, who each have a job that’s basically predetermined, resembles a specific social group. They also represent what many people aspire to be.
In both the movie and real life, there is prejudice towards different groups. Having preconceived notions affects both the person they’re directed towards and the one who thinks them. In this regard, the movie teaches us how to eliminate prejudice so that everyone can get as far as they can.
The protagonist teaches us that appearances and labels deceive. Her family’s lack of understanding and her coworkers’ lack of confidence in her only serve to help Judy grow.
“Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit.”
-Bernard Williams-
Judy is also an example of how steadfastness and faith can help you go much farther than you think, and that difficulties are just learning opportunities.
Tolerance is key to personal growth
Perhaps one of the most effective methods for achieving goals is the elimination of obstacles. This movie shows how this works both externally and internally. We should not be afraid of differences, because differences offer an opportunity to get to know each other better.
Tolerance is found in the acceptance of diversity, like Judy teaches from the beginning of the movie to the end. The only way to take advantage of what everyone else can offer is to eliminate prejudice and promote tolerance.
Who would have thought that Judy Hopps, a little rabbit, would become a part of the police force? Especially knowing that it’s dominated by predators and species that are considered stronger than her.
“If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.”
It’s a good thing that we’re not all the same, because it allows us to enjoy the details of life that we wouldn’t know how to appreciate if others didn’t teach us. Therefore, understanding others is simply an opportunity to discover and share.
Let’s all be like Judy and dream bigger
We have to be tolerant and understand that differences are not obstacles to personal growth and achievement. In order to become great, we have to be like Judy and keep dreaming without giving up. Remember, effort and persistence will bring you closer to achieving your dreams.
Who you are, where you come from, and what you have are important. However, the most important thing is how big your goals are and how ready you are to fight for them, with love for what you do and hope for the journey ahead.
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
-Zootopia-
This movie is full of lessons for both adults and children. It reminds us that we sometimes forget the most fundamental values, and that looking at the world through a child’s eyes can bring us much closer to ourselves than we think.