Mods: Please Close This. Let's Think Happy Thoughts!

[#1 Pocahontas]

Come on, that wasn't called for. You are twisting her thoughts.

People expect to see characters who look like the characters. No they won't be exact but my goodness you would expect to see them the same skin color or hair color. That does not make you a racist to expect that. My goodness.

I have blond hair and very pale skin. You can't honestly say you'd be fine seeing Disney trying to pass me off as Pocahontas?

 

[Bbgrizzle]

2.5 years ago, we visited Disneyland. I heard Snow White, Princess Aurora and Belle speak Spanish to little girls who spoke no English. I thought it was incredibly sweet. Snow White was particularly talented because she also communicated in sign language to a hearing impaired child. I don't see why it's a big deal. If Cinderella speaks English to your English speaking child, why do you care if she can speak Spanish to the next child in line or French or Japanese??? I think it's magical.

Wow! I hope they pay those princesses well. They sound very talented and very sweet.

I think it's a great idea for the princesses to be bilingual--as long as they are the same race as they are in the movie. The kids would NOT like that kind of change.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I find this attitude interesting. The park princesses differ from their movie counterparts in dozens of different ways. And that doesn't seem to bother you. But a change in skin color does. Funny how important skin color is.

Any changes in the park princesses from their movie counterparts are very SUBTLE. They are still VERY recognizable. A change in skin color is not subtle. Kids would know she was an imposter.

 

[PamNC]

I personally am not at all bothered if Disney wants to hire bilingual princesses, or bilingual anybodys for that matter. It really makes sense from a business standpoint. I think what they are looking for are characters who CAN speak English and Spanish so that if a Spanish-speaking child approaches them, they too will be able to understand them. I doubt they are saying "Those who speak only English need not apply." I think it makes sense for them to hire some princesses who speak English AND Spanish.

Heck, when I saw Lucky the Dinosaur in AK, the professor that accompanies him was clearly NOT Hispanic in any shape, form or fashion and he spoke English and Spanish. Which was great because an adorable little boy who appeared to be Mexican (I'm just guessing) was so excted about Lucky and the Professor and Lucky really made him smile. I wasn't offended because the American professor spoke Spanish. Nor would I be offended if a Hispanic CM spoke English. Who Cares? We're all brothers and sisters and race, ethnic origin, religion, SHOULD NOT MATTER.

I saw the Pocohontas show in AK and the main character was not Native American. It was obvious, but they had a wig on her and she was a little tanned. I didn't care, it is a "show." I'm from NC, I have black Irish roots as well as Italian. I'm saying this because although I'm legally "white" as it were, I'm very olive skinned with dark hair. My husband is often asked, "Your wife is pretty. What is she?" Interesting, huh? I like the pretty comment but sometimes I'm baffled by "what is she?" It doesn't upset me really, I just wish it wasn't that important to folks. Again, it doesn't matter. We're all one!!

PamNC

 

[theblackbird]

interesting thread. I grew up in canada, when did the national anthem change? what's that about? personally if the princesses are bilingual, that's fine. I'd just like to be able to celebrate halloween and christmas without being told I'm offending someone. Hello? I live here, these are my traditions. I take a phrase book when I travel, I speak enough french to get by in quebec and france (I'm sure they laugh but they at least appreciate the fact that I'm trying and not "expecting" them to speak english) I'd like to be able to walk into mcdonald's or walmart (etc) here in my hometown and be able to order/find something without a major language barrier. (ok, sorry that was a bit of a tangent, but you get the idea).

 

[disneyjunkie]

Come on, that wasn't called for. You are twisting her thoughts.

People expect to see characters who look like the characters. No they won't be exact but my goodness you would expect to see them the same skin color or hair color. That does not make you a racist to expect that. My goodness.

I have blond hair and very pale skin. You can't honestly say you'd be fine seeing Disney trying to pass me off as Pocahontas?

Why can't they introduce new princesses that are different races?

My niece has asked me several times why NONE of the princesses look like her?

 

[MUFFYCAT]

wait a minue!!!

you mean to tell me the people I see in the parks aren't real??

that's not Julie Andrews in the Mary Poppins costume??


now i'm shattered for the day

 

[PixieDust32]

Why not? They have lots of spanish speaking guest.

And not everybody has an accent and if they do, so what?

Gracias!

 

[Daxx]

There does not need to be a 'black' princess, a 'green' princess, blah blah blah blah.

If she's white in the movie, she's white at the park.
If she's a Native American Indian, she NAI in the park.

I think you might misunderstand ... those of us who want an African princess want a whole new princess w/her own individual story line to be African American. Just like Pochahontas is Native American and Jasmine is Arabian, we'd like to see an African tale w/an African princess (her own story, just like Jasmine, Pochahontas and Belle, etc. have) who would join the ranks of our current princesses!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I think you might misunderstand ... those of us who want an African princess want a whole new princess w/her own individual story line to be African American. Just like Pochahontas is Native American and Jasmine is Arabian, we'd like to see an African tale w/an African princess (her own story, just like Jasmine, Pochahontas and Belle, etc. have) who would join the ranks of our current princesses!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I think you might misunderstand ... those of us who want an African princess want a whole new princess w/her own individual story line to be African American. Just like Pochahontas is Native American and Jasmine is Arabian, we'd like to see an African tale w/an African princess (her own story, just like Jasmine, Pochahontas and Belle, etc. have) who would join the ranks of our current princesses!

That would be a great idea, Daxx. I've often thought the same thing.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Come on, that wasn't called for. You are twisting her thoughts.

People expect to see characters who look like the characters. No they won't be exact but my goodness you would expect to see them the same skin color or hair color. That does not make you a racist to expect that. My goodness.

I have blond hair and very pale skin. You can't honestly say you'd be fine seeing Disney trying to pass me off as Pocahontas?

When was the last time you saw a truly arabic Jasmine? I can tell you...NEVER. So I am still waiting to see a Jasmine that looks like Jasmine. Maybe Disney can hire me. Of course Jasmine was never drawn as she should have been.

 

[bubie2.5]

The local news has reported that they are casting for Spanish speaking princesses. They are also going to increase the number of Spanish signs in the parks and at the resorts.

WTG Disney!!

 

[marconat]

I think you might misunderstand ... those of us who want an African princess want a whole new princess w/her own individual story line to be African American. Just like Pochahontas is Native American and Jasmine is Arabian, we'd like to see an African tale w/an African princess (her own story, just like Jasmine, Pochahontas and Belle, etc. have) who would join the ranks of our current princesses!

that would be a good idea.... I'm all for the Spanish speaking princesses... the more language you know, the better off you are... I would love to learn a new language ( in college, I learned a little Spanish, but I think I will take new courses)... I speak French and English. But this thread has some interesting views and some make very good points too!

 

[RobinMarie]

For a first class, it was very good. Just remember: ñ (for español) hold alt + 164

ñ

Cool, I never knew that. Thanks!

 

[tonyolily]

Wow. I've seen threads on refillable mugs closed faster than this....hello? Is there anyone moderating this???

 

[RobinMarie]

I thought this thread, and I read most of it, had some interesting views from all sides. I would like to see it remain open.

Hopefully, during this discussion some of the barriers to communication are identified so we can start working on those barriers. I agree with folks who are supportive of all children to have magical experiences with princesses. I feel so fortunate to experience these moments with my daughter. I would love to think some of my spanish speaking friends' daughters could enjoy the same.

I would also love to see a Beautiful Black Disney Princess. It would be fabulous for all girls to see beautiful women with all skin colors!

I read a comment about a Princesses duty to diplomacy and learning several languages. Excellent point!

I had hoped, since it's 2006, we would have moved beyond tolerance to acceptance. Afterall, who wants to be tolerated? Accepted denotes equality to me.

 

[KatheeME]

pass that popcorn!!!!!!!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Wow. I've seen threads on refillable mugs closed faster than this....hello? Is there anyone moderating this???

Pete, the webmaster of this site, posted that he is keeping this thread open.

Hi everyone:

I know this is a heated issue, and that some would like to see it closed.

I'm hoping that we can all agree that it's a very divisive topic, and a very relevant one given recent news and events. But we are all adults here, and I'm really hoping that everyone can avoid the rhetoric and flaming, and keep the discussion honest and considerate. I don't think we need to always trade civility for honest dialogue.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[TLHB70]

I agree with folks who are supportive of all children to have magical experiences with princesses. I feel so fortunate to experience these moments with my daughter. I would love to think some of my spanish speaking friends' daughters could enjoy the same.

I would also love to see a Beautiful Black Disney Princess. It would be fabulous for all girls to see beautiful women with all skin colors!

I read a comment about a Princesses duty to diplomacy and learning several languages. Excellent point!

ITA!