The Proud Family episode, “I Had a Dream” is one of those hidden gems from Disney Channel
history.
About a year ago, I made a video analyzing that episode, and people seemed to really
enjoy it.
If there is one specific episode that I could point to that I would say is the most influential,
and motivating in the series, it would be that one.
However, there are 2 other interesting episodes that have messages related to discrimination,
and how to deal with disrespect in an approriate manner.
The first one is called “She’s Got Game” and the second is “Culture Shock.”
In this video I want to give my thoughts on both of them, and expand upon the messages
they provide.
Let me first start by saying, if it isn’t already clear by now, I love Penny Proud as
a character.
As you’ll see in these 2 episodes, she doesn’t tolerate disrespect from anybody, and instead
focuses on being that positive influence to her school.
She leads by example, and handles complicated situations in the most inspiring way possible.
Simply put, she understands that if you respect yourself, others will respect you.
In the episode, “She’s Got Game,” she is incredibly confident in her abilities as
a football player.
She even implies that he’s better than most of the boys in her school.
Obviously, the guys counter that claim with their words, but she enjoys the trash talk.
It starts with some harmless playful teasing.
Similar to the kind of trash talk you hear when you’re playing an online multiplayer
video game.
However, the minute Penny tries out for the boys football team unironically, the guys
crack more offensive jokes about how ridiculous she’s being.
Even the coach rejects her request to particulate in tryouts, disrespecting her in the process.
The normal thing to do in this situation is to allow the person being disrespectful to
let them win, and to hurt your feelings with no counter argument.
Something that I’ve personally had to realize the hard way, time, and time again, is people
aren’t always kind and respectful.
People are the way they are, and at some point you have to accept that, but you
definitely have to watch your back, and protect your energy around these people.
I’m suggesting to respond to the disrespect similar to how Penny does in this scene.
She stands tall, keeps her head up, and tells the coach straight into his face that she’s
not going to allow him to disrespect her.
She sticks up for herself, and her personal truth, ignoring the fact that he’s an adult.
She expresses her maturity, but at the same time doesn't stoop to his level.
Having respect for yourself is not allowing people to walk all over you, and treat you
like their doormat.
Another point I will add is she also knows when to be quiet.
At some point you have to realize some people can’t be convinced that they’re in the
wrong.
For me personally, I’m someone who doesn’t like to argue, because I feel like in most
cases it gets you nowhere, makes the situation worse, or more dangerous.
So it’s not about arguing, it’s more about making your case, and leaving it at that,
and not abandoning yourself.
It takes a while to convince the coach, but he eventually allows Penny to try out for
the team.
She completely dominates try-outs, but is told by the coach she didn’t make it because,
in his words, he will never allow a girl to join his team no matter how good she is.
Shortly after, Penny decides to sue the coach for gender discrimination.
Then ends up winning the case, granting her permission to join the boys football team.
Still, even that isn’t enough to stop the team from insulting her every chance they
get.
During their first football game, the coach sits Penny on the bench for the majority of
regulation, ignoring the fact that they’re getting blown out.
Once Penny finally gets a chance to participate in the game after begging the coach,
she goes on a run of her own, scoring touchdown, after touchdown.
What upsetted me the most is even after Penny carried the team on her back, scoring basically
all their points.
This coach has the audacity, the nerve, to throw a temper tantrum just because she couldn’t complete
the final catch.
Still, Penny shows great heart, and determination in this episode, and the same applies for
the next episode I want to talk about real quick, “Culture Shock.”
This episode takes a different approach by demonstrating how stepping into someone's
shoes, and attempting to live their lifestyle, helps you understand that person better.
It’s a fast way to gain more respect for someone.
Throughout this video I’ve been talking about how to handle intentional disrespect,
but it can also happen unintentionally.
Sometimes we have a lack of awareness, a lack of understanding, or we are uneducated about
someone’s history, culture, or true identity, and without even realizing it, we take that
person for granted.
Social media, and modern day society, will do whatever it can to make us forget that
we’re all human.
Nobody is above or below anyone.
When Penny is forced to live with a Muslim family for a week, at first she doesn’t
understand their culture.
She doesn’t even give them a chance.
She pretends to be sick, unintentionally disrespecting their family in the process.
Eventually, she decides it would be best to give the experience a chance.
By the end, she discovers there is beauty to be found in people who look, and behave
differently than what she is used to.
There is a scene where they come home to find their house had been vandalized with the disrespectful
phrase, “Go back to your country.”
written on their garage door.
By now, you should know that Penny doesn’t put up with people's ignorance, and disrespect.
So like the classy character she is, she gives a speech at a school assembly, admitting that
she was wrong about not giving the Muslim family a chance at first.
Confirming the idea that some of the most fascinating people you meet tend to be the
people you least expect.
At least for me anyway.
To be disrespected, to feel unheard, to feel unnoticed, to feel... underappreciated... that's
one of the worst feelings you could ever have as a human being.
And it's something that I don't wish on anyone.
You never know what someone is going through, you don’t understand their history, and
you especially don’t understand who they truly are until you spend a significant amount
of time with them, and even that doesn’t tell the full story.
On the other side, don’t be afraid to defend yourself, and your own personal truth.
This is part of what it means to love yourself.
It doesn’t make you a mean person, or a harsh person.
Being too nice can be kind of dangerous in certain situations.
Not everyone can be trusted, not everyone will like you, not everyone is respectful.
It’s a tough truth to swallow, but the ability to be cautious around these individuals, and
to love yourself no matter what they say, think, or do to you is incredibly powerful.
Penny Proud demonstrates how to do that effectively in these 2 outstanding episodes.
By incorporating her courage in everyday life, you can make yourself, and others proud.
Thanks for watching.
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I want to give a special thanks to the names you see on the screen.
Every month they show me love with their generous donations.
And hopefully this video brightened your day a bit.