After nearly 75 years and eight princesses, Disney introduces its first African-American princess in the new animated film "The Princess and the Frog" this weekend.
We’re looking at perspectives on what Princess Tiana means for African-American communities and younger viewers from MSNBC, CNN, WTVT, and The New York Press.
First, a look at MSNBC’s coverage, which reviews the landmark characters that shattered the previous all-white cast of earlier Disney princesses.
“It breaks one of the last racial barriers for children’ movies. In 1992, Aladdin’s Arabian princess was Jasmine, followed by the beautiful Asian Mulan, and Pocahontas is Native American, but it took 71 years to get from the fairest of them all to Tiana.”
CNN puts the film in the context of other milestones for black role models this year.
“You have to think about this in the context of Barack Obama’s presidency, the fact that we have the first black president, and Malia and Sasha, these role models for African-American girls to look up to for the first time in the White House. So, it’s apropos that a film would come out this year celebrating an image that really hasn’t existed in animated film before.”
But not everyone agrees that the new Disney princess symbolizes change. FOX News affiliate in Tampa Bay, Florida explains.
“I think what Disney and what some people are arguing is this is representative of what people are calling a post-racial society. I don’t think we are in a post-racial society, a society where race is going to be irrelevant.”
MSNBC also looks at what went in to crafting the image of an African-American role model for children.
“Sensitive to criticism of everything from the color of the prince’s skin to the southern locale, Disney enlisted a slew of consultants, including Oprah, and held screenings for the NAACP. With her upswept hair, diamond crown and soaring voice, Tiana is every inch the Disney princess.”
The New York Press is more critical, saying Disney outright failed at creating a positive image of African-American beauty.
“His narrative allows Disney to maintain the primacy of its classic white fantasy heroines: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid and the recently restored (remastered) Snow White. Tiana isn’t truly allowed into Disney’s canon. Because this animated heroine is a frog, the movie does not confer a modicum of idealized beauty or grace on a black girl’s countenance. She’s primarily shown as different, alien, from other-species.”
So what do you think, does Disney’s new princess give children a new image of what a princess looks like?
Writer: Jennifer Herseim
Producer: Jennifer Herseim
