Lion King 2 and Current Events
Hopefully, we all know the original "Lion King" but I believe that the "Lion King 2: Simba's Pride" is the one Disney movie that directly relates to current events going on in the world. Although the movie deals with lions, meerkats and warthogs; the similarities to the human race is uncanny. Let me give you a little back story in case you are not familiar with this movie. First off, Simba is married to Nala and they have a daughter Kiara. As Kiara is growing up she gets into some trouble, just like her father did. She meets the cub Kovu when they were young, and while it was innocent when the two first met, their parents did not see it that way. Kovu's mother was exiled to the "outlands" by Simba for allying with Scar (Simba's nasty uncle). When the two grow up they reconnect; when Kovu saves Kiara's life. Long story short, they fall in love and together help there divided families forgive and become one again. Okay, so now you know the back story, onto the similarities!
1. Holding grudges
In the beginning of the movie it is clear that neither Zira (Kovu's mom) nor Simba (Kiara's dad) have forgiven one another the situation that has become their lives. A betrayal that led to exile is never easy to forgive but neither of these two want to try and come to terms.
Presently, we have many different people and regions that might still be holding a few grudges based on actions of decades prior. Understandably, it is never easy to forgive and forget but opening up and coming to a compromise is something that will be beneficial to both parties. There is no reason to live with anger directed at someone else.
2. Being who you are
When Kiara is young she struggles to see who she really is, she wants to make her father proud and be the princess of Pride Rock and take over when Simba dies. At the same time she feels like she doesn't have a voice in her own life. She can't decide many things for herself, especially not who she can love. "Can I trust in my own heart, or am I just some part, of some big plan?" -Kiara
Currently, as members of a community we all feel like we aren't sure about some aspect of our life. Questioning whether we really do have complete control of what happens in our daily life. Speaking from a college student perspective, it is very strange to go from having to ask to use the restroom, to deciding what your entire future is going to be about in a matter of months. Confusion is bound to occur for some people. But that's ok! Be who you are, and you will find a way.
This last one gets me every time I watch the end of the movie. It's beautiful in both the message and the presentation of it.
3. We are ONE
At the end of the movie, Kiara and Kovu have a realization. Both of their families are important and even though they might not have the same way of thinking or doing things, that's okay. They convince Simba that they are unique but all one pride by saying "Them, us. Look at them. They are us, what differences do you see?" After this realization, they all lived in harmony, as one single unit, in Pride Rock.
In this world, there are too many times where we look at people a certain way because they look physically different than we do or they believe in something we do not. It's okay to be different because underneath it all, we are ALL the same. Each one of us in the human race has a beating heart that keeps us going when we feel like we can't. Each one of us has a brain, we are intelligent people, each one of us is smart in their own way. Each one of us has a soul, that helps us to feel. With so many powerful similarities it's amazing to see how sometimes we can only see the insignificant differences.
It is my hope that one day, the work done by our ancestors and us right now will one day pay off. One day there will be no war, only love. No heartbreak, only joy. After reading this, now I challenge you, the next time you have the opporitunity preform a random act of kindness, do it. Because remember underneath it all, we are all the same. Much love!!
