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(Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana)
Oh, boy.
After years of flack from the African American community, in 2006, the Disney company saw fit to finally include an African American princess in its pantheon of animated royals – which in the past had representation from every other racial and ethnic group (Jasmine, Pocahontas, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, etc.)
In December of this year, the company is set to release 'The Princess and the Frog,' set in New Orleans and featuring Princess Tiana, voiced by actress Anika Noni Rose. Oprah Winfrey is voicing Eudora, Tiana's mother.
Oddly enough, though, Princess Tiana is black; her prince is not. That's right – even though there is a real-life black man in the highest office in the land with a black wife, Disney obviously doesn't think a black man is worthy of the title of prince. I guess Sasha and Malia and all the other little black girls out there should just shut up and be thankful to have something! Little black boys will have to wait another 20 years.
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Ice T and Coco
Rapper turned actor Ice T married voluptuous swimsuit model Nicole Austin, known professionally as Coco. The 'Law & Order: SVU' regular and his wife speak often of the secret of their seven year marriage -- great sex!
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Bi-racial British actress Thandie Newton married her writer/director/producer husband in 1998. The pair have two daughters, Ripley and Nico.
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Iman and David Bowie
Somalian supermodel Iman and rock luminary David Bowie have been married 19 years and have one daughter, Alexandria Zahra -- they make an amazing power couple.
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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
These two were introduced in 2001 and by 2004 were getting married at an exclusive golf resort in Barbados. The two have two children, Sam Alexis and Charlie Axel.
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Emma Bunton and Jade Jones
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Prince Naveen of Maldonia is voiced by a Brazilian actor, and his skin is ... tan. His hair and features are decidedly non-black. This has left many in the community shaking their head in befuddlement and even rage.
It's not like Disney isn't used to the controversy. Over the years, it has offended blacks, Jews, women's groups and some shade of everyone else. Appropriately, controversy has dogged the 'The Princess' since its inception. Originally, the black princess was named Maddy, a maid working for a white family set in 1920s New Orleans.
Both the name (which sounds eerily close to Mammy) and position made many take pause, so Maddy became Tiana, a more African American name. Even choosing New Orleans with its history of slavery and voodoo had some in an uproar. That toothless firefly that sounds like a slave (see video) isn't likely to convert many fans either.
Some, including Rose, think it's all good: "It's great and wonderful, and bigger even is being the first American princess," the Tony Award-winner told Black Voices. "They have chosen to give the world an American princess who looks like me. I really can't think of anything else that would be more exciting," she added.
I'm sure folks could come up with a couple.
Comments: (3101)
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By: Megan on 6/12/2009 8:45PM
I think people, who look for controversy, find it. You can't please everyone and no matter what Disney does someone's going to be offended because they're seeking it out. For some people it's never good enough. Rather than focus on the negative, why not look at what's positive?
Also, in regards to the "pantheon of animated royals – which in the past had representation from every other racial and ethnic group (Jasmine, Pocahontas, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, etc.)," which racial or ethnicity group does Ariel belong to? Shouldn't the statement rather be racial, ethnic, or species group? Just saying...
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By: lindsey on 6/08/2009 1:25PM
This is pitiful! Are we trying to teach our Black youth that the only way to be some bady is to be with a cracker? For crying out loud!
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By: Emily on 6/08/2009 1:31PM
ok seriously people. ITS A MOVIE. A movie made for little kids who watch Bugs Bunny and think Santa Claus is real. Its a fairy tale designed for entertainment, not to try and brainwash kids into thinking that a black woman can only marry a white man. I pretty sure they could make a Princess with polka dots and a prince with stripes, and you would all complain that this is teaching kids that polka dot girls can only be with striped guys. Kids don't see the difference. I PROMISE. seriously people, get over yourselves.
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By: Tina on 6/08/2009 1:48PM
I think its alright that the prince isn't black. There are so many American couples that consist of one black person and another of a different race. As we all know Disney is into adding little sexual and racist nuances such as SFX and a bug that sounds like a slave. Although whoever said that the bug sounds like a slave is being stereotypical themselves.
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By: Rev. Essex Hubbard on 6/08/2009 10:33PM
I am an African American minister and an artist. I have long advocated that African Americans will never see an adequate representation of themselves in a "Disney type" animation until they produce it themselves.
Is my white brother obligated to satisfy my esthetic? I don't think we should wait on Disney.
There are enough African Americans financially capable of producing what we are really looking for, an plenty of African American artists and writers to invision it as well. Thank God for talent!
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By: toya on 6/08/2009 1:49PM
I think it is somewhat offensive that the prince couldn't be African-American too. The most powerful man in the nation is African-American, so I think little black boys do have a good role model. But it would have been nice for them to watch a Disney movie, and see somebody that looks like them. And as far as the firefly goes, it is very offensive. Maybe they meant for him to have that deep south New Orleans accent. But it does come off as if he is a toothless, drunk, slave. But Disney has always had little undertones to their movies, so no one should be surprised. This is just another case. They want black kids to feel like they need the white man to come rescue them. It's sad in this day and age, with our first family being Black, that we cant even get a Black cartoon made. On the other hand, I am glad that i can actually show my little girl a black princess.
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By: April on 6/08/2009 2:03PM
Is there even a reason to get upset over this? Seriously, you think that out of everything this could be described as, Tiana having an interracial relationship is offensive? Isn't it a good thing to promote to children that any two people can be in love?
The author of this page is obviously biased against this movie and its soon to be iconic characters, therefore they shouldn't be reporting upon it. Really, it's a shame that anyone is against this film, cause whether or not it offends them, or anyone, it will still be an awesome Disney movie, full of artwork by some of the most talented people on earth, strung with music from the gifted Randy Newman, and as always, with some discreet message that, at first, you may not pick up, but one that you sometimes go back to rediscover when you're older. Perhaps it's a message about loving whomever you please.
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By: Molly on 6/08/2009 2:10PM
I think this movie looks cute. It's kinda cool that it's the first African American princess. I mean, there's other princesses from different races. Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan are all different. I think that children don't see people as colored or as races. They see them as other humans. I really don't think most kids will care; it seems like it's the adults getting worked up. Are we not an example to children?
Just let the kids enjoy their fairy tale before they have to grow up and deal with the issues that have been left for them.
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By: Kyle on 6/08/2009 2:16PM
I believe that the prince should be African-American as well. Growing up even young boys watch disney movies and seeing a African-American prince marry a beautiful African-American princess gives hopes to young African-American boys that they can be iconic as well.
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By: jodie on 6/08/2009 2:21PM
I look at the poster and the prince isnt white. He looks hispanic or bi racial to me. Our society is changing all the time and I dont see why anyone should be so upset about a racial princes. I find it odd that a mermaid can fall in love with a man and a woman can love a beast but an african princess cant love a man of a different heritage. Go Figure.
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