(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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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: (3102)
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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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By: marcia on 6/08/2009 2:13PM
I have no problem with this movie. This is life. I teach my children to like someone because of their personality not their color. We older adults need to chill out. This world is not black, black and
white,white anymore.
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By: Becca on 6/08/2009 4:13PM
yes there should be a black prince to complete the image of having a black princess. this has nothing to do with interracial couples not being accepted or racism towards white people. the point is that every other princess that was white had their white prince, mulan who was asian had her asian prince. so why can't a black princess have a black prince. it's as if they're saying that a black man and black woman can not be a couple and it doesn't exist, when it does. yes this may only be a cartoon but this effects peoples minds just in a smaller way but people will then apply that into real life situations.
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By: Seanb on 6/09/2009 4:00PM
I think people are failing to recognize why "African Americans" are so upset.
"WHAT ABOUT THE YOUNG BLACK BOYS?"
This is a PERFECT opportunity to address each gender of the same race! Disney movies are empowering and according to all of their movies made, thus far, EVERY gender of the same race has been represented... EXCEPT... black males and black females! (Why only represent one, when you can EASILY combine this opportunity!)
Again, this was the PERFECT OPPORTUNITY!!!
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By: wodiej on 6/08/2009 3:10PM
I don't really care what Disney wants to portray out in "anything goes" California, it doesn't speak for the rest of the country and it never will. Whether it is moral or not is only up to God to judge. It doesn't hurt me so I don't really care.
Whites and blacks come from two completely different cultures and have their own traditions and I don't see how they would even have enough in common to make it something lasting.
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By: Mary on 6/08/2009 4:35PM
This is my family ~ I have grandchildren, nieces and nephews that run the gamet from blue eyed blonds with fair skin and deep brown eyes with dark skin. Why would anyone want to take my grandbabies dreams away from them? It is children's play, each and everyone is a Prince Charming and a Princess to our family.
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By: Just an observer on 6/08/2009 6:09PM
It is not the fact that it is a white or black person together, but the fact is could Disney not have researched it a bit more in the African folktales or fairytales whichever you prefer to find a story of a Black or Nubian prince or princess and develop it into a Disney animated movie. I'm sure they could have come up with a folk or fantasy in Africa, or somewhere in the world that there was a Nubian or Black Princess or Prince that came into being and to make it come to life on screen. Disney is just being Disney and wants everyone to be accepted in any form shape or fashion, but I know they can still do a animation with the real life or fairytales of the history of the African community. Keep trying but I'm sure this one will be great also.
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By: pir8capn on 6/12/2009 3:38PM
I'm sitting here at the computer barely catching my breath. Not only does Disney finally have a black heroine that my wife can finally identify with, but a hero and heroine duo that my mixed-race child can identify with. They'll look like his (slightly darker than average) white dad and his (slightly lighter than average) black mom.
Finally after all these years a mixed-race couple in a kids' movie! And where better than a movie set in New Orleans, where the population is already peopled with natives who have cafe-au-lait skin and where white/black couples have been part of society for generations before the rest of America?
So why are people railing that somehow Disney is shunning the black community? It's actually painting a picture of our society's most rapidly growing demographic - those who self-identify as "mixed race." Rather than spurning blacks, it looks to me like Disney is savvy enough that when they finally got around to creating a positive black character, they went the extra mile to include an even more under-represented minority.
This bitter blogger writes "I guess Sasha and Malia and all the other little black girls out there should just shut up and be thankful to have something!" Perhaps, but I think that "little black girls" will certainly be thankful and little mixed race children (who are even more under-represented in media) will DEFINITELY be thankful.
Ms. Bronner Helm writes that "folks could come up with a couple" more things to be more exited about than a black heroine in a Disney movie, and she's right - a mixed race relationship is certainly rarer in life, and even more rare on the silver screen.
Yes, Ms. Bronner Helm, folks CAN come up with a couple more things to be excited about - like seeing their mixed-race families represented in popular media for once.
Check out my occasional ramblings on mixed-race paranting at www.hepcatandhotsie.wordpress.com.
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By: Calvin D, Evans on 6/08/2009 7:58PM
Given the times that we live in,interracial couples are more than common. That Tiana's princes race, is for the most part is ambiguous, fits a growing norm. I may be deluding myself but I would hope that Disney is promoting people as people. Rather than stating than Black men are not worthy of the title prince.
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By: gary wong on 6/08/2009 11:28PM
I'm a fifty five year old man.I will always remember the feeling of absolute "THRILL,AMAZEMENT. and WONDERMENT" to enjoy the experience going to the theater to escape into my own imaginary world.From Bambie,Cinderella,Old Yeller,Mary Poppins,the many great world, nature,educational,and the new collaberation with PIXAR, I will remember... I left the theater with a smile and a spring in my step.During all these and numerous others,I !!! NEVER!!! thought { the crows in Song Of The South} were a deliberate reference to BLACKS, or TINKERBELL { Peter Pan} reference to a FAIRY, or GAY.....It goes on and on.....From should Huckelberry Finn be banned to The DeVinci Code, and The Passion Of Christ....GROW UP PEOPLE!!!!! or we " w" not capitalized are truely doomed.......
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