Portrayal of Race in Aladdin (1992)

When I was young, I remember being mesmerized by Disney’s portrayal of an “exotic land” in Aladdin (1992); it wasn’t until I became older than I realized that the manner in which Disney portrayed the Middle East in the film was very, very inappropriate.

Supposedly a film that celebrates racial diversity and inclusion, I felt that the film particularly reinforced the North-South divide between the Anglo sphere and the Global South. The film's titular song “Arabian Nights” is a complete testament to this:

“Where they cut off your ear
If they don't like your face
It's barbaric, but hey, it's home.”

What’s strange is that all the main characters in Aladdin all have Anglo-American accents. Disney appears to have “glorified” Aladdin and Jasmine by whitewashing their portrayals, as Robert Egert notes, "Most of the Arab characters have exaggerated facial characteristics - hooked noses, glowering brows, thick lips - but Aladdin and the princess look like white American teenagers."

Here’s my breakdown of the respective characters and their portrayals:

Aladdin

Role: Protagonist / “Prince”
Race: Arabian
Accent: American
Physical features: Paler skinned (compared to the other Arabian characters and Arabians in general)
Character description: a poor street orphan who steals food to survive. Despite being a thief, is known to have a heart of gold (perhaps, literally, since he pretends to be Prince Ali of Ababwa in order to win over Jasmine). Is carefree and jovial despite his humble background.
Closest cousin(s): Robin Hood, who like Aladdin, is kind-hearted albeit being a thief

Jasmine

Role: Protagonist / Princess
Race: Arabian
Accent: American
Physical features: Is paler skinned just like Aladdin. Very typical attractive and innocent Disney princess. Wears a very revealing outfit, despite the conservative values of most Middle Eastern societies.
Character description: As the Princess of Agrabah, Jasmine is feminine, innocent, intelligent.
Closest cousin(s): Ariel from The Little Mermaid (1989), as she has been confined to the underwater kingdom all her life under her father’s control

The Sultan

Role: Supporting character
Race: Arabian
Accent: English accent
Physical features: Has the palest complexion of all characters. Short and plump with a very white beard and moustache.
Character description: Jasmine’s father who adores on Jasmine. Very gullible and easily taken advantaged of, which seems to be reinforced by his physical appearance and age (despite the wise old English man stereotype).
Closest cousin(s): Maurice (Belle’s father) from Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Jafar

Role: Antagonist / Villain
Race: Arabian
Accent: Strong English accent
Physical features: has a darker complexion compared to the other Arabian characters. Is sinister looking and slim-faced, and has a hooked nose, well-defined and sharp jaw line.
Character description: Cunning, deceiving and greedy for power and wealth.
Closest cousin(s): Ursula from The Little Mermaid (1989)

The Genie

Role: Supporting character

Race: Arabian??

Accent: Very ambiguous (Mental Floss describes Robin Williams’ accent as “questionable”)

Physical features: blue-skinned, muscular, has a thin black beard

Character description: Omnipotent as he can grant a designated “master” three wishes, acts as Aladdin’s saviour and confidante

Closest cousin(s): Fairy Godmother from Cinderella (1950), Ursula from The Little Mermaid (1989)