Controversy Over Princess Tiana, Disney's First Animated Black Princess
There has been great controversy over Disney's new animated movie The Princess and the Frog, which stars, for the first time ever in Disney's 70 years, a black princess. From the princess' name being changed from Maddy to Tiana to the prince being racially ambiguous, this new movie has created quite a stir, leaving no one satisfied., asks the poignant question: Who needs a black princess anyway? She questions the value of "princess" ideals, preferring to give young women a dose of reality to counteract this fantasy.
My answer to Field's question is: every little girl. I don't know how many times I've watched those classic Disney animated movies. And I still do. Every girl deserves to have that dream of becoming a princess whether it's real or not.
I remember people being a little upset when Aladdin came out. Jasmine was the first ethnic princess, and somehow it all worked out. To this day it is the most favored Disney animated movie. I know it's my favorite. So what does that mean?
I think we are so ready for a black princess and so does bvblackspin.com.
Fields seems to miss the fact that enjoying a fun childhood builds inner security, allowing one to courageously face adult responsibilities. The beautiful feelings created by fantasies also build tenderness of heart, so one can retain humanity while dealing with life's cruelties.
The Web site's author's too focused on impressing kids in mental infancy with the harsh nature of reality before they are ready. I can understand her not wanting girls to believe the "princess" way is an adult mentality, but why take away the sacred joy of childhood when you are actually a child?
If having a black princess allows more young African American women to see themselves as tender, warm and beautiful, this may go a long way towards soothing a lot of the defensive emotional wounds I see black women carrying. And society at large would be enriched by a rare image of black womanhood that is utterly feminine.
[jwplayer|config=Hollywire|width=350|height=292|file=http://www.youtube.com/v/h6DmEgtibOg|image=http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/h6DmEgtibOg/hqdefault.jpg]
How do you feel about this controversy?
F.Y.I The Pricess and the Frog uses the talented voices of Keith David as Dr. Faciler, John Goodman as Eli 'Big Daddy' LaBouf, Terrance Howard as James, Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, Oprah Winfrey as Eudora, and Bruno Campos as Princes Naveen.
