In these tense times in which tragedy seems to be striking daily and most people are upset or even angry at injustice, I decided that I would try to add a helping of some food for thought about our morals as human beings. I wanted to take a look at what we may all look at as being decisively right. Sometimes I think the best way to solve a problem is to start at square one. So I have put together several children movies that I believe teach ethical principles for children as well as adults. The foundation that we have as children shapes us into who we are as adults. So let’s revisit our foundation:

1. "Howl’s Moving Castle"

This is one of my favorite children's movies of all times. "Howl’s Moving Castle" to me speaks on a myriad of different topics. It deals with self-esteem and how to love yourself for who you are. The focus on “love” is a prevailing theme throughout this movie. Howl, a dashing wizard, knew that an old woman that he took in to tend his castle was actually a young woman named, Sophie, who was cursed by an evil witch. It would seem impossible that they would fall in love but somehow they did and even before she broke the curse he liked her. On the other hand, Sophie excepted Howl for who he truly was. She knew that he was extremely vain and immature but loved him regardless. Someone who really loves you will see you for who you really are and love you just for that. Another interesting part of the movie is that at the end of it Sophie breaks the curse of a scarecrow turning him into a prince because the curse deems Sophie to be his true love. On saying to the prince that she loves Howl, he simply replies, “One thing you can always count on is that hearts change.” That itself speaks volumes. Sometimes you can love a person who isn’t the right one for you.

2. "Chicken Run"

We all remember "Chicken Run," the funny cartoon about a group of chickens who ban together under a rooster named, Rocky, that claims he has always been free when in retrospect he just escaped from somewhere himself. The movie starts off with a sassy chicken named Ginger who is trying to “fly the coop.” She is caught every time and sent back to the chicken coop with the other chickens where she tries to explain to them that together they can be free and escape. She tries to gather them to rally against Mrs.Tweedy, the owner of the farm, and stop her from stealing their children before their born or throwing them into chicken pie when their fat. However, the chickens do not listen and continue to ignore their circumstance and close their eyes to the murdering of their own and the pain of their existence as if nothing is happening. Of course we know that in the end of "Chicken Run" they do end up escaping but just the first part of this movie was profound. Sometimes people who have never known better don’t do better. Pain, hurt and violent atmospheres can become so prevalent in a society that people began to accept it and anyone who speaks against it is crazy, because to them that’s just how things are done.

3. "Coraline"

The mischievous and ill tempered, Coraline, is an endearing character that you just can’t help but love. Coraline, after feeling that her life is too boring and her parents do not pay her enough attention or give her what she wants, discovers a door in her new home. This door leads to another world with parents who although look like her real parents are completely different from her, especially because they have button eyes. At first all seems well, but as time goes on, what she thought was better actually turns out to be monstrous. Coraline teaches us not to sell our souls for something that seems good in the moment. Some things that make you happy and feel good can be the same things trying to kill you at the end of the day.

4. "Zootopia"

Judy Hops, a quirky and vibrant bunny is the first police officer of prey in a world where predator and prey now live together in harmony. The only problem is it’s not exactly harmony. Animals of prey are still looked down upon and judged and predators are still mistrusted and hated. Judy herself doesn’t even recognize that she herself has a prejudice against predators due to the past abuse that she has suffered from as a child. It takes everything almost falling apart for her to realize that there are jerks and meanies in every single species and that what’s special about her world is that everyone is different. "Zootopia" teaches us that you can’t fight racism with racism or hate with hate. The only way to win is for us to all learn to respect one another for what makes us alike and what makes us different. One person’s choice does not define a whole race.

5. "Princess and the Frog"

We all know the story about Tiana the Princess who dreamed of owning a restaurant. She was a hardworking and no nonsense kind of girl who got more than she expected in life. Besides hard work there is something else that Princess Tiana teaches us: she teaches us to be focused and that’s something everyone needs in life. Focus helps us to see a goal and not lose sight of it, inching forward, day by day. I honestly believe even if Naveen did not help Princess Tiana get her restaurant she would have achieved it somehow. Some goals can’t be accomplished partying with your friends all day and all night, but are achieved through hard work and perseverance.

6. "Tangled"

Next to Princess Tiana, Rapunzel from "Tangled" is my second favorite princess. Rapunzel, who had spent all her days delaying her life and believing all the horror stories about the world that her mother had told her, finds herself in a house wishing to be outside of it. Once she escaped the tower with the help of her prince, she finds that life was more wonderful than it was scary. I believe Rapunzel teaches us there is never a good time to start living your life, just do it. No matter when you start the journey it can still be an enjoyable one. Search for the goodness in life and stay positive.

7. "Up"

"Up" is one of the many movies in which I’ve found myself crying in the first five minutes. "Up" is one of the heaviest children’s movies that I have ever had a chance to see. It is about an old man named Carl Fredrickson who is trying to float his house to the cliffs where he and his dead wife planned to go to before she died. On his journey to go to Hope’s Spring, a little boy gets stuck on his floating home and becomes his traveling companion, although he is not too happy about this. While trying to crawl back into his past and grieving his dead wife, the little old man in "Up" somehow stumbles into his future and finds new things to care about in life. "Up" teaches us not to let grief rule our lives and even when it seems impossible, we can still move on.

8. "Corpse Bride"

A haunted corpse bride drags a man who is already engaged to be married down to the land of the dead after a misunderstanding and plans to try to steal his heart so that he will stay with her. "Corpse Bride" is a fabulous movie about a slighted girl and a girl who is still dreaming about love. They are both in love with the same man, but only the one who he originally loved first is the one he chooses in the end. The "Corpse Bride" shows us that you can never take what isn’t yours and that hurting someone else doesn’t bring you happiness rather doing the exact opposite does.

I hope you guys enjoyed my article. Please continue to read and follow me and thank you to all those who do so. It’s is an honor writing for you and I really do hope that you guys enjoy my writing. If ever there is a topic that you want me to write on inbox me or email me at Janoah.wright@gmail .com. I hope these children movies left you inspired!