Disney’s upcoming film “Moana” features a Polynesian teen who embarks on a journey to save her people. Along the way, she meets demigod Maui, who helps her accomplish her mission.

Maui is a Polynesian oral tradition, a story passed down to explain the creation of the Hawaiian islands “Moana” is on track to be released in November. However, Disney was selling costumes for children depicting Maui, the demigod, before the release of the film. The costume featured “tattoos” on a shirt, and a “skirt” of leaves- what Maui is depicted to appear as.

The costume received unforeseen negative feedback and reactions with consumers claiming the costume was “racist.” Chelsi Fairchild claimed its a form of cultural appropriation, wrong to sell a costume that allows a child to pretend to be another race.” Disney, in response, pulled the costume and apologized, claiming to have “taken great care in respecting the culture of the Pacific Islands that inspired the film, and regretting that the Maui costume offended some.”

 I respect and love Disney greatly, since I have grown up watching, enjoying and relating to various Disney films. Jasmine and Belle were always tied for my favorite Disney princesses, since “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast” are my second and third favorite Disney movies.

Over recent years, they have unfairly received a lot of wrath for certain characters, depictions of characters and movie plots. Disney princesses have been said to be “unrealistic” and an “unachievable standard for young girls.”  Disney’s “Frozen” received negative reaction in the plot as well as the characters’ body types. And now “Moana” is receiving a backlash for the cultural depiction and allowance of children to dress as a different culture.

I understand the remarks that Disney princesses’ bodies are unachievable; because they are.  They are also characters in a children’s film; a film meant to teach children, as well as, adults lessons that go beyond the body type of the characters.

“Aladdin” teaches you not to judge other for their wealth and essentially that love conquers all. “Beauty and the Beast” teaches you not to judge a book by its cover literally and metaphorically. “Frozen” teaches you that love is the answer (sisterly love, at that). “Brave” teaches you the meaning of being brave. “Mulan” teaches you that you can be anything you want to be, along with teaching us about China during the Wei Dynasty. All these movies have received negative feedback for their characters’ depictions and as a result, the lessons, are being looked over. “Moana,” I’m positive, will contain not only a great lesson, but will teach us about Polynesian culture as well.

I also understand the claim that the Maui costume is a “racist figure.” However, I disagree with the complaints. There are costumes available for almost every Disney character. Children admire the characters and aspire to be like the characters. Children choose their favorite princess, prince or other protagonist because of the impact the character has on them and the enjoyment they get from the movie. I know when I was young, I wanted to be Belle for Halloween because we both liked to read and she was so strong. Not because of how she looked, but for her message.

The Maui costume is available for the same reason: for kids to dress as a character who may inspire them or simply because they love the movie. Disney, clearly, does not intend to spur racist feelings from the production of their costume. I am sure they intend the opposite, in fact. As they have done with other racially spread movies: “Pocahontas,” “Mulan,” “Brave,” “Princess and the Frog,” and many more. They intend awareness and appreciation, allowing children to dress as the character they love and learn from by providing such costumes.

I respect Disney for the decision to retract the Maui costume, as they are doing it out of respect for those who are been offended. However, I do not agree with the claim that the Maui costume is “disgusting and inappropriate.”