Disney's Fascination with Raven

[icebrat001]

Since there's an elephant in the room that nobody wants to acknowledge, I'll throw it out there. Disney uses her because she is black. And not just black, but she looks and sounds like middle class black. A demographic Disney wants. Not saying it's right or wrong, but that's why they're using her more as the "face of Disney."

How does one sound middle class black?

I know people sound different types of ways, but it's all in the upbringing.

So do people sound middle class (japanese, chinese, white, mexican, india, greek...)

I get really annoyed when people come into my job and tell me they thought I was a "sally" because they thought I had a "white" voice.

 

[icebrat001]

OK guys. Sorry, I'm out of touch. Who did Raven play in the Cosby Show?

She was Olivia

 

[WIcruizer]

So do people sound middle class (japanese, chinese, white, mexican, india, greek...)

Yes...people who generally speak proper English sound "Middle Class" regardless of their race. Which is why Disney is fascinated with Raven. She's black, but projects a middle class image. Disney has no interest marketing WDW to the poor...white. black, brown, or otherwise.

 

[Disney Ella]

I like her and liked her in the Cosby Show. Her acting style, at least in her TV show, is over the top with lots of slapstick, but obviously a lot of kids, like mine, really like it.

 

[Snoopymom]

I thought she was a bad match for that special. I would have enjoyed it more if they had went with a regular older parent type of person who might actually be the one to choose a restaurant and pay for their family to dine there....more realistic and boring, I know, LOL.

 

[cardaway]

I thought I was the only one. I think she is terrible, but I was thinking the majority must still like her since she still has a job.

As long as they keep her to her own show I'm fine. Just stop sticking her other shows and movies.

 

[SamRoc]

I recently saw Raven on the Regis and Kelly and they started talking about her weight. She said shes not fat but "thick" I also agree that whoever dressed her last night was nuts, you dont put someone with big hips in horizontal stripes.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My daughter and I love Raven.

Lori

 

[ChrisnSteph]

My dd loves Raven, but I can only handle her in small doses. I would rather my dd be really interested in Raven than Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Ritchie and - I thought I'd never say this - Hillary Duff.

 

[Mermaid02]

She's one of the few Disney actresses I love. She cracks me up all the time and DD loves her too. I really like that she's not a skinny little lollipop actress.

Ya nasties!

I like that she's not anorexic. I think she's a great role model for young girls.

 

[Tink33]

I witnessed her DIVA-itis at the Princess Diaries 2 movie premiere.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I like that she's not anorexic. I think she's a great role model for young girls.

I agree. I also believe her weight is a reason that the photographers never follow her. You rarely see her picture in People etc. You do see her bone thin peers. I think it is really sad to see how thin Nicole, Linsay and Lizzie have gotten. I feel you should be healthy but not starve yourself.

Lori

 

[MomofKatie]

I like her as a role model of what a real life, healthy girl looks like- not the anorexic Lindsays and Hillarys out there.

As for being fake-y and "on" all the time, she has been in show biz since she was less than 3! She has never had a normal childhood- she probably wouldn't know how to act like a regular kid.

I thought she did fine on the Food Network special- she is a bit over-the-top, but she's articulate and well mannered, and that is OK in my book. As far as I'm concerned, it makes not one bit of difference what color she is.

 

[roque]

one person's annoying is anothers emmy award winner as long as the ratings are good Disney will keep her if she annoys you that much don't watch and the ratings will drop and no more Raven ....at least not that show she will crop up somewhere else

 

[luvwinnie]

Is she still a teen? I figured she had to be in her 20s by now.

 

[pixiemomma]

I think she is cute. She is almost 20 (12/1985).

 

[tmq2766]

I like her and I love the fact that she looks healthy!!!! I think she is a great role model for young girls..... My dd11 loves her and I encourage her. She probably has more talent in her little finger than most of the people on this thread knocking her around. hehehehe

 

[Deb & Bill]

I will agree that she really did a pretty good job on the Food Network special. Her pronounciation was very clear and precise. And she didn't get too "over the top" for most of the times when she was actually on camera. I guess I just get annoyed with the cutsey attitude at times.

I also agree that she beats out a lot of other "teen idols" just because she is healthier looking.

 

[mamaprincess]

I think she is a rather brilliant comedic actress and I like her, so do my daughters and all of their friends however, I wasn't in love with the food network special. I'm not so certain it was because of her. It was just boring IMHOP.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

My daughter adores Raven, she loves her show and her music...she's great for kids to watch and doesn't mind making a fool of herself. She doesn't try to make herself as skinny as most and I think she's a great role model for kids. I think she was hosting because of it being candy and christmas, she's more appealing for kids to watch, I think they wanted something that appealed the kids and the adults can understand. I know my daughter loved the show.