To parents of millennials, you probably recognize some of these songs on this list as you may have watched Disney movies with your children when they were growing up.

Millennials, there are probably a few songs on this list, if not all that you can still belt out every single word to. Why are Disney songs so memorable? Sure you could say because they are fun and sometimes even the best part of the whole film, or even because some of the best Disney characters sing them. Might I offer, that maybe we remember these songs so vividly because they are incredibly powerful.

There is so much meaning to each of these songs and multiple messages that can be taken away from each and applied to a variety of issues we face everyday. I think it is because I grew up watching, and continue to watch, these films that have songs of acceptance, longing to be understood, strength, and hope, that I feel the way I do about many current issues today. I carry these memorable songs and the lessons they taught me in everything I do.

Please consider the lovable songs below and their reflections of current issues today, as well as the magnitude of lessons that can be taken away from each.

1. "Go The Distance"- "Hercules"

The message of this song could be applied to the progress we have made as a country. While America has hit some pivotal peaks of progress, such as The Civil Rights Act of 1963, allowing women to serve in the military, drive, and even vote, as well as the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, we still have a-ways to go. " I have often dreamed of a far off place, where a great warm welcome will be waiting for me." This far off place is a place of equality, acceptance, and peace. We need to continue to make strides of change and go the distance. "I know every mile will be worth my while."

2. "I Wanna Be Like You"- "The Jungle Book"

King Louie's desire to be like men, "walk like them, talk like them", is reflective of what those who may be opposed by members of our society might attempt to do to blend in. Such as immigrants abandoning their own beliefs, heritage, or culture to be accepted by American society. These people just want to be apart of society and not be seen as what makes them "different" to some, such as their citizenship status, sexual identity/ preference, or skin color. "You'll see it's true. Someone like me, can learn to be someone like you."

3. "One Jump Ahead" - "Aladdin"

The reprise is reflective of how society looks down on those with a low-income and is reluctant to help them. Instead, they label these struggling individuals as "criminals" or "street rats". Perhaps we should offer more ways to help those in need, rather than criminalizing and labeling them with demeaning titles. " Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat. Otherwise we'd get along." "If they would look closer, would they see a poor boy? No siree. They'd find out there's so much more to me."

4. "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" - "Mulan"

This extremely iconic song is reflective of how often our society underestimates women and continues to label them as weak or at least not as strong as men. When Shang begins training with the men in the film, he calls them pathetic and even asks "Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons?" As those of you who have seen the film know, the one who saves China and defeats Shan Yu happens to be the only woman in the entire Chinese army. Maybe it's time we start seeing women as the true warriors they are "with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire."

5. "Colors Of The Wind" - "Pocahontas"

This is one song's message that has never left me as I grew up. It covers so much from treatment of indigenous people, appreciating the world we have been given and taking care of it, racial issues, and acceptance. "You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you. But if you walked the footsteps of a stranger you'll learn things you never knew you never knew." This song teaches us to appreciate the natural riches of our planet and to preserve them and that race doesn't matter, we have to come together. "We are all connected to each other, in a circle, in a hoop, that never ends."

6. "Belle Reprise" - "Beauty And The Beast"

Belle's reprise is reflective of the barriers put on those seen as less by society. This includes minorities, immigrants, and women. We have to stop with the stereotypical gender and race roles and just let people do what they want to do and what they are well capable of doing. "For once it might be grand to have someone understand, I want so much more than they've got planned."

7. "Won't Say I'm In Love" - "Hercules"

While Megara's song is meant to represent her newly formed feelings for Hercules and her attempt to deny it out of fear of her past, it is also reflective of our LGBTQ community and interracial couples. Meg attempting to fight off those feelings could represent the panic of those who begin to have feelings for someone society says they shouldn't, such as someone of the same sex or of different race, and their attempt to deny their own feelings. To those of you who have experienced this battle, know your feelings do not stem from "rotten judgement" and there are many out there who support you and feel as though love, regardless of form, is simply love. "It's OK you're in love."

8. "Part Of Your World" - "The Little Mermaid"

Ariel sings this song to express her true desire to leave the ocean and be on land. She wants to experience the simplest things humans get to experience, such as walking and laying on the sand. This song is reflective of immigrants' or refugees' desire to come to America, and to them, being part of "our world" is the greatest thing there is. Most are willing to sacrifice everything for it. We need to be appreciative of those who see so much in our country, even with its weak spots, and aid it to be everything they are told it is. Similarly to Ariel, these people may not get to enjoy the simplest things we do. "Wandering free, wish I could be part of that world."

9. "Let It Go" - Frozen

This wildly popular song is meant to show Elsa feeling defeated, yet liberated by her abnormality, and her beginning to accept it and wanting to "test the limits." This reflects the strength in everyone who is different whether they possess an abnormality or are just not like everyone around them or what they're "supposed" to be like. Imagine how strong we could be as a society if we weren't so afraid of what we didn't know or of those who didn't do everything we do, or look the same way as us. "It's funny how some distance, makes everything seem small. And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all."

10. "How Far I'll Go" - "Moana"

Moana sings about finding her own role in a place where roles have already been set. This message speaks to our generation as millennials. We don't have to accept the way things are. In our current society "everything is by design." But it doesn't have to be this way. Change calls on us. "No one knows how far it goes."