Disney's New Princess - Tiana

[dayzemair]

Interesting article OP and thanks for sharing.
I am always frustrated when people criticize something that they haven't even experienced yet - be it books, movies or whatever - I say, along with the others here, wait and see!!! Then if you have issues about it, people will take them more seriously anyway.

I for one am excited for a couple reasons, one I am excited for another hand drawn animated movie - no one does it better than disney! And two, I am excited for another "strong" princess movie (if this turns out to be one) I really loved mulan because of how strong she was and how she is the hero of her own story. I hope that is the case in this movie too.

Its def. time for another princess movie and I think she looks gorgeous, adorable and spunky which is what I like in my princesses be they black, white, asian, native american, arabian....you get it

 

[challer]

Most white characters have white romantic counterparts.......What's wrong with having a black prince?

Didn't the article say the Prince has lighter skin but is not white?

Have we seen a picture of this prince yet?

Another question that one could ask is, "What's wrong with a black princess and a non-black prince?"

Just asking.

 

[fakereadhed]

Didn't the article say the Prince has lighter skin but is not white?

Have we seen a picture of this prince yet?

Another question that one could ask is, "What's wrong with a black princess and a non-black prince?"

Just asking.

 

[challer]

OK, so I don't know "what" he's supposed to be, but nice hair!

 

[wishspirit]

Personally, I think it is very irritating that Disney is getting ripped to shreads over this when the movie (or even substantial trailers for it) are not even out yet. The company was bashed for not having an African-American princess and is now bashed for having one. I really think people need to wait for the product to be out before they begin their criticism.

I also think it is absolutely outrageous that Song of the South is not available to today's public. There are other films out there (think Gone with the Wind and The Indian in the Cupboard, for example) with racial stereotypes in them. Why is this such a huge social faux pas? If Disney is so dang concerned about issues within the film, re-release it with a prologue of some sort explaining the time and thoughts put into its characters and how it was produced.

Yeah $20. About a year ago. I wanted to see this film badly (because I had not see it and because it was often called racist). So I ordered it from http://www.officialsongofthesouth.com/. It was a great quality, but a bootleg. I can't say I'd call it racist, but 'typical' of that time and YES full of shameful steretypes. My DD and I saw it together, she had problems trying to listen (for understanding) thru the 'thick' southern accent. To be honest, I couldn't stand listening to it myself. It took me a few times just to see the whole thing. My DD never did finish it. I didn't know that one of my favorite Disney song (Zip a di do dah) came from that movie.

Add my thoughts into the fray:
I watched Song of the South as a child a lot. We recorded it off the TV a long time ago, and I loved the movie, mainly for the fables of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox, and the integration of live action and hand drawing. Has that made me racist? I blooming hope not! I study the African American Civil Rights Movement at degree level, and studied slavery throughout my time at school. I think movies like this are great at understanding the feelings of people at the time and comparing them against progress made by Civil Rights groups. To me education is much more important than whether one film shows slave owners as kind, which plenty of other films at that time did too.

Even if they don't release the film again, can't they just edit it to have the animation and the stories so people can actually understand Splash Mountain!

 

[WaltD4Me]

He reminds me a Gaston from Beauty and the Beast.

I think the critics should cut Disney a break until they see the movie. I think Disney does a pretty good job when it comes
to diversity....look at Disney Channel, their shows have a pretty wide range of backgrounds and ethnicity. Why be so negative
before it's even released.

 

[audeodream]

I am glad that there is finally a Disney image of an African-American Princess who reflects a postive image(this only addresses the ethnicity discussion don't get me started on the body image, I believe Nani and Lilo were the only Disney characters who had curves) As a parent I know that it is our role to teach, nuture and support our children's growth and self-esteem. Imagery and the media are also forces you have to filter through, discuss and explain to them. If your child never sees themselves in the pictures/images in front of him/her, someone who looks like them, someone they can relate to how does that add positively to their self-image?

I can understand the comment about the prince simply because I have a son who adores Disney movies and there is no prince that looks like him. There are no Disney animated movies where someone who looks like him is the hero. Someone mentioned the Disney Channel as a good source for diversity; I agree somewhat with that comment. Yes Disney has attempted to make their shows more culturally diverse, but the bulk of their shows feature leading characters who are not of color, the diversity normally comes via the best-friend or side-kick. What shows are left? Corey from Corey in the House? (that doesn't come on regularly anymore) Raven is not in the normal rotation and the Proud Family is not shown much at all either.

There are few age-appropriate media choices and it is my belief that Disney is still one of the better ones, at least they have made the effort.

I look to Disney as an escape, a place where I can go back and live in my imagination, see the world through my child-eyes again with my child (that's the Magic). I appreciate that they have made some mis-steps, but as a corporation comprised of human beings who did not always have the cultural competency to address some of the issues they have had in the past, I can understand the historical "why" that caused the mis-steps to occur.

They are learning from those mistakes, they have vaulted the offensive images and tried to reach out to gain more understanding and are making attempts to be more respectful of the changing demographics and social constructs that have evolved over the decades.

I remain a Disney supporter because they promote creativity, impagination, exploration of new worlds and individuals and encourage children to come along for the ride with them. They did not remain in the "safe" zone with one mono-animated world ( I appreciate their willingness to explore multicultural images further even admist each film's backlash). If there are any questionable images in the Princess and the Frog I'll be right next to my son helping him to interpret what he saw-that's my job as a parent.

 

[challer]

Happy Kevin mentioned the thread on the Podcast!

 

[djm99]

Happy Kevin mentioned the thread on the Podcast!

What did he say?

 

[DaParkers]

What did he say?

I won't speak on Kevin's and Theresa's comments but I will say that Pete seems to get it a little bit more than they do. Pete can be harsh at times, but he is able to put himself in other's shoes which makes him rather insightful. P.S. My statements are not meant to be negative towards Kevin and Theresa. I truly believe they have good hearts and never mean anyone harm.

 

[DisneyKevin]

If you were consistently misrepresented, you might understand. But even so, don't dismiss what you don't understand.

You just have to trust that I completely understand this.

I was 6'3" in the 5th grade.

I was overweight.

And I wasn't "like the other boys".

Do you think I grew up seeing anyone, anywhere that positively represented me?

I understand being misrepresented. I really, really do.

I truly believe they have good hearts and never mean anyone harm.

I truly appreciate this.

I never meant to offend or hurt anyone.

 

[DaParkers]

I appreciate you replying to my comments. Now I feel famous. Lol! But, seriously, you've never offended me. I'm sorry you went had to endure the crap that you did. I can't believe how many hypocrits there are in the world(as evident by the prop 8 voting results). I commend you on persevering and never giving up. That's one of the reasons I listen to the podcast. I look at Pete, Walter, John, and yourself as minorities. In the future, I'll try to be more like you and develop a thick skin. .

 

[challer]

This Tiana issue was a story on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric tonight. I only caught the tail end, and I hope it'll be on the CBS website. West Coasters can probably still catch it.

This issue is spreading & growing, and we're still months away from the movie release.

To be continued...