Disney First Black Princess Prepares Debut (Guest Post)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 9:00AM 
After much ado, Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" opens Nov. 25 in select cities. The film will be the first Disney production to feature a black heroine. While much of the viewing public is excited that an African American will be added to Disney's multicultural list of leading ladies, which includes Mulan, Pocahontas and Esmeralda, others have lambasted the film long before its November release.
So, what do naysayers have against "The Princess and the Frog?" The main objections are that Tiana, the film's protagonist, spends much of the film as a frog rather than as a black woman; the prince is not African American; and the film's portrayal of voodoo.
Before delving any further into criticism of the film, let's outline the plot. "The Princess and the Frog" takes place in 1920s New Orleans. Tiana, an aspiring restaurateur who works as a waitress, turns into a frog after she's talked into kissing an amphibian who's really a prince. Much of the film focuses on Tiana's quest to remedy their condition.
Back in May, the aptly named Shannon Prince, contributed an essay to Racialicious.com about her concerns with this plot device.
"The prince is turned into a frog by a bad voodoo 'magician'... ," she wrote. "The foundation of voodoo is not charms but monotheistic faith, belief in saints and spirits, and a focus on moral values such as charity and respect for the elderly. People do perform rites for protection and defense, but suffice it to say that voodoo is not about being a magician or a fairy godmother."
On a related note, Prince also takes issue with the fact that Tiana is not in human form for the bulk of the film.
"After decades of waiting, would it be too much to actually see an hour and a half of a black princess on the screen? I can't help but think that Disney would never hide a non-black princess away in animal form for a large part of a film--maybe because they never have."
While this is certainly a disappointment, the merchandise of Tiana, the doll in her likeness and the actresses who play her in Disney theme parks represent her as a black woman, not as a frog. Accordingly, I doubt that filmgoers will forget that Tiana is, in fact, black. And in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Disney animators Ron Clements and John Musker explained that they always conceived of the "frog princess" as African American, which undermines the idea that the studio made her a frog because they were lukewarm about committing an entire feature to a black heroine.
"From the beginning we wanted to do an African American heroine. It seemed natural," Musker told the Los Angeles Times. "It seemed like it was time to do that and Anika Noni Rose brought such intelligence and vulnerability to this part."
Disney executives have also spoken out about the race of Tiana's love interest. "Prince Naveen hails from the fictional land of Maldonia and is voiced by a Brazilian actor; Disney says that he is not white," the New York Times reported.
Whatever Naveen's ethnicity is, Shannon Prince raises some interesting points about why not making him African American is cause for concern. She writes:
"Some might argue that portraying interracial marriage in film is good - but why then weren't any of the white princesses given non-white princes to save them from white villains? And since Disney doesn't give white princesses non-white princes, isn't this interracial relationship at the expense of black boys who deserve a hero just as much as black girls deserve a heroine?"
For those not familiar with Disney's history, this intense focus on "The Princess and the Frog" may seem like overkill. It's only a cartoon, many of you are probably tempted to say. But Disney films have a long history of misrepresenting ethnic groups.
The New York Times points out, "Yes, 'Dumbo' traded in black stereotypes in 1941 with its band of uneducated, pimp-hat-wearing crows. All the animals in 'The Jungle Book' from 1967 speak in proper British accents except for the jive-talking monkeys who desperately want to become 'real people.'" And in the Los Angeles Times, Walt Disney biographer Neal Gabler writes: "The main evidence for Walt's racial insensitivity, however, is 'Song of the South,' his 1946 combination of live action and animation based on the Southern folk tales of Joel Chandler Harris, known as Uncle Remus, which, though set in the Reconstruction era, makes the black former slaves seem dependent upon and excessively grateful to their former owners. From any modern racial perspective, the film is cringe-inducing..."
Because of this history, a sociology professor at my college warned students to skip Disney films altogether. I might just catch a screening of "The Princess and the Frog," though. Not only does Tiana's debut mark a key moment in popular culture, I also want to be able to decide for myself if the film constitutes a step forward or step back for race relations. Despite the problems I've already heard the film has, I do believe it has the potential to make a positive impact. For example, "The View's" Elisabeth Hasselbeck--the right-winger on the talk show--reports that her young daughter Grace adores her new Tiana doll. This has proven mind-boggling to white passersby who observe the little white girl clutching a black doll, Hasselbeck says. So much has been made of black girls preferring white dolls that if "The Princess and the Frog" results in not only black girls but white girls and everyone in between making a black doll their favorite, that's one reason I can find to support the movie. It would be a long overdue racial turnaround.
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Reader Comments (45)
My father read Brer Rabbit stories to me as a child from a copy that was put out with Song of the South. I know I have seen the movie, but I don't really remember it. I find it interesting that the character of Uncle Remus was so dependent while he was telling stories that are metaphors for slaves using their wits to out fox their owners.
That writer had been waiting decades for a black disney princess? Maaaaaaaan fuck Disney and their princesses.
Another column on this movie? I guess we have about 8 more to go. Hee, hee
I just don't understand why black films have to be so scrintinzed and disected. I am tired of it. It seems that black people in general are never satisfied. I don't think that all films can represent the entire black experience. I don't understand how blacks expect non black people to be sensitive to our culture and people. Disney is owned by white people. I am not expecting white people to be sensitive to my needs.
As for little black boys not having a role model in the film I could care less. Black women and black girls are not nutured in our culture. Little black girls need role models too. Little black girls need to be look after as well. I am sick and tired of the prevailing attudes that "we" have to protect our men. Well who is protecting us? Yesterday I saw a video of a boy beating and choking a black girl. The majority of kids on the bus did not come to her defense except one person. Can you guess who that was? A black girl. We are ignored in popular (white) culture unless we are a certain hue (ie Halle Berry or Michael Michele). In popular black music most of the time we are disrespected. So forgive me if I am not too concerned on whether a little black boy has a role model. Little black boys have more role models and more people concerned with them than black girls.
I am glad that the film is made and I am taking my 3 year old niece to see it.
I am not really too upset or uplifted by the characters in the movie -- Disney movies tend to be degrading to women and that is a large reason I don't tend to support their films.
The bigger issue to me is going to be the continued reactions of parents and young people to the merchandise. Why is it such a big deal that little white girls are going to be having black dolls? That is going to be something to see as the holiday shopping continues after the film is seen by children.
Also of interest will be the demographics of the people viewing the film.
I'll see this for my love of traditional animation; but I do find it "unfortunate" that Tiana spends most of the film as a frog. It's hard to tell whether something like that is intentional, or just the lack of forethought, but I would have liked to see her have an adventure as a black woman.
Why are you people so dependant upon music, movies, tv, and other forms of media that you don't even have the intellect to notice the racial propaganda in them?
Its sad that supposedly grown people have such low-level logical and analysis ability.
I too am tired of people always worrying about black men and black boys,and their role models. They have had plenty of roles models and those in positions who could be good role models, but chose to put forth thuggish images.
What about black women and girls? Nobody worries about them. This movie might not be perfect, but the image and message is more uplifting for black girls than most of the stuff hip-hop and other movies put out. Why should Disney care about a role model for boys, when it's the women who drive the market, they're the ones who are going to see this movie. Most black men won't spend a penny to go see this movie, and Disney knows it. Hollywood is watching to see what black women will do.
So, support this movie, black women. At least we get to see a black woman having an adventure other than being abused or beaten or shaking her booty. Hollywood is watching. If we overwhelmingly support stuff we like, they'll put out more good stuff. Go see it even if you don't have a little girl to take. Or better still buy a ticket, even if you don't go. I know I am. Make your voice heard with your pocket book.
you folks are really overreacting to this film, as if it will set back the self esteem of young black girls 150 years...we got two little black girls in the white house!!!!
I have seen this film, and would take my daughters to see this film, BET has done more damage in the last ten years to assault the image of black girls than disney in the last 50 years!
Maybe if Nadra could let go of her fantasies about perceived racism in this film she might be able to help fix the real problems in real life.
@ M - Thank you. I am glad I am not the only one who feels the same way as me.
I have never been a fan of Disney because of their open racism. I had heard that the princess spends to much of her time as a frog which didn't help, but I didn't hestiate to find an AA family w/ girls(I have boys) to give the free passes to when I won them from Reelblack the local AA film society( I haven't heard their review). I have to hope seeing a postive image for little AA girls was good for them.
Sounds like some folks ought to do a little research and study in sociology, specifically identity development. Its very easy to discount the impact that images have upon people but one develops their sense of self/identity in relation to what is around them and that includes images, and it also includes little boys. Humans unconsciously place value judgements long before they are old enough to deconstruct an image or an opinion or an action.
Perhaps those tired of "worrying about Black men" would have less to be upset about if in fact there were more positive images for them as well. This is not a battle between who gets or needs more.
As a mom of a little Black girl and a little Black boy, I am taking them both, not because I need to support Disney, but because it is just as important to my son as it is to my daughter to see a black Princess.
It frustrates me how much credence we put in white representations of us. I don't understand everyone who says how overdue a black Disney princess is. Why are we always waiting and hoping that white people see the beauty in us and represent it appropriately. We should do it ourselves, that's whats overdue to me.
What's even sillier to me is how were all just willing to "support" this movie (as if Disney doesn't have enough money) like Disney is any less racist because of the black princess. Just in case ya'll forgot:
http://www.cracked.com/article_15677_9-most-racist-disney-characters.html
Ariel spent most of the movie unable to speak. Sleeping Beauty spent most of the movie asleep. Mulan spent most of the movie as a man. I do not think that having Tiana as a frog for most of the movie was in any way intentional towards her race.
I heard from the Mom I gave my passes to. she thought it was very positive though it opens w/ a AA girl and a white girl living in the same house, the mother is a seamstress and the protect your children armour came on like Iron Man. She said she walked out very happy and felt the message was very positive. the girls loved it.
What is really odd is...I have yet to see a trailer for this movie on television. I did not even know it was out today. I am also VERY upset that the princess is a frog for about 90% of the film. It's so annoying that we live in a world where people are so adamant about not letting people of color get a fair chance at anything. Seriously? Black people can't even get a princess who stays a princess for the entire film?! Whatever, I am going to watch it with my younger sister and it'll be great because we love Disney movies.
What's up all and confused, I'm mod to the forum and reputable wanted to transubstantiate hey. It is hoped I posted this in the strategic echelon!
i still wanted my black prince:( i say someone other then disney comes out with animated film about black people, now that'd be interesting to seee...
The prince is Creole, which is mulatto, which is Disney's sneaky way of making him white enough not to offend white people with an entirely black cast. Well, I think that is fucked up, and I hope it flops. They all should have been obviously black, and the princess should not spend the majority of the movie as damn FROG!!! If they want to market to black people, then they need to consider what the audience wants to see, not what makes them feel more comfortable. Thank you for posting this Dani!
the first disney-esqe film i EVER remember seeing with characters with traces of black features and actual black people was in the prince of egypt and that was in 1998.
kids (if still uncorrupted) won't care at all about the cast skin tone, they just want to see a funny cartoon about frogs, princes, and princess. We need the next generation to accept all races, (because as some of these posts made by ppl forgetting we live in post imus america prove) obviously we're terrible at it.
Walt Disney was a racist...and just because the Disney Corporation throws the black community a bone after many years of being excluded from their media content, doesn't mean we should support them.
Jason
Not only is Walt dead but must of the stories about him are not true.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-disneyrace22-2009nov22,0,978597.story
I formerly worked at an art store that had random toys for kids. One doll in particular was a porcelain doll. Look exactly like any porcelain doll with hazel eyes, brown curly ringlets under a floppy hat and a victorian dress. . .but her skin is black. She had the features of any caucasian porcelain doll: dainty nose, rosy cheeks, straight hair fashioned in loose curls but her skin was brown. I had a little laugh at this doll and had mixed feelings when I merchandised the shelf for it. One day, a middle-aged caucasian male walks up to the counter ready to purchase some paint and his daughter (couldn't have been over 7 yrs.) approaches the check out clutching the doll to her chest. . .He looks at her dubiously and asks, "are you sure?" I secretly squeal with delight. This little girl wanted the doll despite it's skin color. Yes, it had european features but I was enthralled and perplexed by her choice, we had other dolls that were her color.
This movie, on the other hand. Yes, I was mad when I found out the princess would be a frog for most of the movie, but.......If they're selling the dolls and girls of all colors are buying them, that is more positive culturally and racially then buying Simba and Nala as a lion then what they should've been, African (the Lion King).
I begrudgingly approve the small step forward, but I would LOVE to have more black heroes and heroines in cartoons and movies that don't always pander to the stereotypical black character or choose to show them as an animal for most of the movie. :)
I hope the film does well.
I dont, nor will I ever understand why so many movies and program with blacks being portrayed as anything other than lawyers or doctors, are considered so terrible.
SOME: Black people molest their kids. Black people rape their kids. Black people steal. Black people would rather sell drugs than get an education and make an honest living. Black people practice Voodoo in New Orleans (I'd know, I was born and raised there), Haiti and elsewhere. Black people, lie, cheat, steal and kill.
Why is it when a movie is shown about SOME of these black people, the movie makers and bringing the WHOLE race down? If it isnt you, why worry about it? Hiding behind whats shown on the televison wont change whats going on in the black community.
Black folks who are jumping up and down crying foul, need to focus on the real problems and not what two damn movies are doing.
Its a cartoon for pete's sake. My daughters have never seen a black princess. I will definitely take them to see this.