Black Elsa @ Disneyland ?

[Shanti]

Not sure what to say here.... I'm not going to get political on disboards, but will always debate via pm.
As I've said before, seeing as it's obvious where this may lead, this is my last post on the subject. Feel free to PM me

MG

It is no "debate" at all if it can't be done in the open. And yes, I do see racism here. I don't think the OP would have posted this complaint if the actress just had red or black hair.

 

[figmentofmyimagination]

Ok folks here me out

Doesn't Disney cast their park princesses to look a certain way

I mean lets say a 400 lb woman or even a man wanted to be Cinderella

All over the park, Elsa is portrayed as a faired skinned blue eyed princess

Kids recognize Elsa as such in the toys and merchandise they buy

L.A. Is a talent rich area filled with accomplished actresses

I should not be accused of being racist if to me it just seemed weird watching the show

 

[Shanti]

I should not be accused of being racist if to me it just seemed weird watching the show

If the shoe fits, wear it. If watching a talented black actress play Elsa feels weird, try to just "let it go".

 

[figmentofmyimagination]

It a kinda takes away from the magic when a certain image of a character is changed

Nevertheless I guess we must be politically correct these days as any open discussion of race or gender labels you a racist

 

[Shanti]

It a kinda takes away from the magic when a certain image of a character is changed

Nevertheless I guess we must be politically correct these days as any open discussion of race or gender labels you a racist

What kind of "open discussion about race" do you imagine, in which the word "racism" isn't going to come up? You would have to censor the discussion for that to happen, because racism is naturally a big issue in any discussion about race.

I personally find Disney more magical, knowing that they are not excluding talented black performers from 99% of their stage roles solely due to the color of their skin, which would be the case if they didn't use color blind casting.

A theatrical production is not a meet & greet, which is predominantly about the character's appearance. It requires a great deal more talent. Whether that talent is white or black shouldn't matter. That was the whole point of the civil rights movement.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

Who cares. I do not care if she is green. Enjoy the show and do not worry about this stuff. It is for the kids. Give me a break.

 

[figmentofmyimagination]

What kind of "open discussion about race" do you imagine, in which the word "racism" isn't going to come up? You would have to censor the discussion for that to happen, because racism is naturally a big issue in any discussion about race.

I personally find Disney more magical, knowing that they are not excluding talented black performers from 99% of their stage roles solely due to the color of their skin, which would be the case if they didn't use color blind casting.

A theatrical production is not a meet & greet, which is predominantly about the character's appearance. It requires a great deal more talent. Whether that talent is white or black shouldn't matter. That was the whole point of the civil rights movement.

I guess you never seen the LION KING in which the entire cast is essentially entirely black.

Also i give the in park characters alot of credit. Everything from their mannerisms, guest interactions to even how they sign their signature is carefully crafted.


Yes, I want the most qualified person for the "role".

Well what that does that role entail? Shouldn't an actress bare some resemblance to the character they are playing

 

[Princess Jes]

I don't understand what point you're trying to make with the Lion King?

 

[figmentofmyimagination]

I don't understand what point you're trying to make with the Lion King?

pervious poster Shanti notes

"I personally find Disney more magical, knowing that they are not excluding talented black performers from 99% of their stage roles solely due to the color of their skin, which would be the case if they didn't use color blind casting."

To counteract this argument, I note that this 99% number is false and shows, such as LION KING consist almost entirely of black performers.

The point being it isn't as if Disney has not created multiple multi cultural shows and movies which entirely isolate a race from performing on stage

 

[pjweaver]

I am still upset that Ariel is not a real mermaid. She is just wearing a fish tail and clam shells on her tata's.

 

[pjweaver]

pervious poster Shanti notes

"I personally find Disney more magical, knowing that they are not excluding talented black performers from 99% of their stage roles solely due to the color of their skin, which would be the case if they didn't use color blind casting."

To counteract this argument, I note that this 99% number is false and shows, such as LION KING consist almost entirely of black performers.

The point being it isn't as if Disney has not created multiple multi cultural shows and movies which entirely isolate a race from performing on stage

Those are actually white people who use burnt cork to apply black-face

 

[Princess Jes]

pervious poster Shanti notes

"I personally find Disney more magical, knowing that they are not excluding talented black performers from 99% of their stage roles solely due to the color of their skin, which would be the case if they didn't use color blind casting."

To counteract this argument, I note that this 99% number is false and shows, such as LION KING consist almost entirely of black performers.

The point being it isn't as if Disney has not created multiple multi cultural shows and movies which entirely isolate a race from performing on stage

the lion king film is based on animals... They don't have a human race to assign, so they can cast anyone and it wouldn't matter.

The only connection is that the film is set in Africa, and it seems plausible that they might cast African Americans in those roles if they were the right fit.

 

[KingLlama]

Folks, I think it would be wise for all of us to step back from this discussion for just a moment and watch this scene from "Captain EO". I think it would be helpful.

 

[pjweaver]

I found this very interesting while reading this thread and losing intelligence in the process
http://www.acbl.org/learn_page/how-to-play-bridge/
Just a tip to help me avoid people that do not know the difference between 'here and hear' or 'to, two, and too'.

 

[NeuroCindy]

Wow, the whole premise of the "complaint" behind this thread is incredibly racist, and I have a very hard time believing it was started with good intentions.

That being said, if you care that Elsa is a different race, maybe you need to sit back and think about why. If she had the best voice and was best for the part, I could not care less what color her skin is. Why do you care? Are you also outraged when Pocahontas or Jasmine are played by tanned white girls (which is actually offensive since Pocahontas was a real person as opposed to Elsa who's a fictional character)? Being perfectly happy with a non-white actress playing Elsa isn't being "politically correct", it's not being a racist human being.

We teach children about race. What message are you sending to your children?

(All you's are the general you, not to a specific person).

 

[pjweaver]

Folks, I think it would be wise for all of us to step back from this discussion for just a moment and watch this scene from "Captain EO". I think it would be helpful.

Bob, please stop plugging a ride that you personally closed, then reopened, then closed, then reopened, then closed, then reopened, then closed, then reopened, then closed, then reopened, then closed, then reopened, then closed, then reopened, then closed, then reopened, then closed.

 

[SarahDisney]

I remember when the movie came out, there was some controversy because Anna and Elsa were not drawn with normal people faces or something like that. So you're not going to cast someone who looks exactly like her. Really, Elsa is best known for her hair and her dress ... so as long as this person looks decent in a blond wig ... cast whomever you want.
Also ... I once met a Cinderella that looked like Carrie Underwood. Princesses don't look like the actual characters anymore. Yes, there are guidelines (I could never be a princess because I'm half an inch too short), but "looking like the character" is not the first qualification.
You can't blind cast for meet & greets. It's unfortunate, but it just wouldn't work. But if you can get away with it for a stage show ... please pick the most talented actor/singer no matter what they look like. I wish this world could reward people based on their talent, not how they look or where they come from. I don't want to listen to a bad singer just because they look like a stereotypical Scandinavian. I want to listen to the person who makes me not hate "Let It Go," and I don't care what that person looks like.

 

[figmentofmyimagination]

Folks,

Are we assuming that just because Black Elsa was casted she was the most talented.

Once again you are in L.A. area , the next Meryl Streep is probably in the park now serving you popcorn.

Could this be Disney trying a social experiment to see how we react? Perhaps

You can be dismissive and speak of green people and mermaids but what if Disney starts looking at more park attractions and events that need to be more culturally sensitive and gender neutral for roles

 

[NeuroCindy]

What if they did?
Would the world crumble?
WWIII break out?

Honestly, does it matter?

Of course it matters Jes!!!

 

[figmentofmyimagination]

What if they did?
Would the world crumble?
WWIII break out?

Honestly, does it matter?

Yes, it does matter to me

I wouldn't feel comfortable with a man in a dress hugging my child or renaming attractions like SPLASH MOUNTAIN because of the movie its based on