A Note on the Disneyfication of History

Our guide from the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan explained all the ugly ways— blatant and subtle— that the Israeli authorities and extremist settler groups are using to confiscate the land of Palestinians in Silwan and drive away as many people from their homes as possible.

He and young Silwani activists also explained the Israeli plan for creating a Disney-like version of the “City of David” in the area of Silwan. Even the ultra-religious Hasidic Jews, let alone Palestinians, are to be kept out as much as possible because they don’t fit into a Disneyfied version of the landscape.

This really struck a chord with me because I always told my American-born children that most of the version of history (including the portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr.) they are taught are Disneyfied versions of history.