Why are there no Black princesses? (more)

[PixieDust32]

Oh well, we never care about the color or race o whatever of the Princesses, or any other characters. We love the magic, the fun and all of that the Disney does, the pixie dust.

We never wonder why there no LATIN, or HISPANIC princesses or characters?

We enjoyed what we got!

 

[megan4777]

I haven't thought about the princesses being white. Although, DD#1 also has very little interest in them and VERY must interest in Tigger!!!
However, I wonder what will happen in about 25 yrs when Caucasions are the minority?
I would also like to disagree with Caucasion kids not having a doll of colour. I had (still have) a Cabbage Patch kid who is black. She was my favourite b/c her middle name was "Meggie" and my name was Megan (you didn't find Anything with Megan in it while I was growing up).
Several, if not all, of my friends also had a dolls of different races while they were growing up.

 

[PixieDust32]

Also there really pretty black dancers in Beauty and the beast live.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

That's good to know! We skipped Beauty and the Beast, because we only had a half a day at MGM and we saw the Broadway one a few weeks before.

 

[Glendamax]

Interesting thread! Seeing all the White princesses both as a little girl, and now as a woman, the feeling is the same, "why am I left out"? It would be so easy for Disney to create a Black princess (and prince), but I don't think they'll ever do it. I don't believe they think it matters, but it does. I just hope that if I have a little girl someday, she won't have to look at Un-named Princess #3 to see someone who looks like us.

 

[Leota]

I agree, Disney is missing the boat on this one & better catch up by having a more diversified line up of Princes & Princesses. I think they are moving in that direction, but are not doing it fast enough.

I know that it does bother the children sometimes. My friend's daughter was very sad that she couldn't have beautiful blonde hair & white skin like Cinderella. That just breaks your heart to hear a child say that she can never be a Princess because her skin is dark, it sure broke mine.

 

[disneytraveler]

Yes interesting discussion. If anyone wants to read their daughter a good book about strong women characters i would suggest "Tatterhood and other
tales''. its a book of stories where the female characters are all strong ,resourcefull people-princes who save the prince and other stories.

 

[VSL]

The princesses at WDW aren't black because the characters in the movies aren't black.

^^^What I was going to say^^^

 

[chill]

Well, this is a very powerful thread! This will be my family's first WDW vacation. As an African American, and based on the previous post, my hope is to see more representation of African Americans and other minorities in the future. I hope this is an eye opener for others. Thanks so much for the thread.....

 

[edingerc]

To understand what's going on here, first look at the princesses: Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmine, Belle, The Little Mermaid. Each one of these was from a well-known and proven story. Disney is all about making sure that their movies do well in the box office and proven stories mean guarenteed audiences.

The fact is, that the lack of minorities at Disney is a reflection of a lack of minorities in junior fiction. What they need are stories with minorities in the forefront, that they think can bet $200 million on.

Disney has no problem with changing with the times. Look at Cinderella and Snow Whilte: neither of these characters Acted, they reacted. Jasmine, Belle, Pocohontas, The Little Mermaid and Nala were all strong female characters who knew what they wanted and acted to change their environments. Quite a change from female characters who were simply decorative or servile.

 

[Schmeck]

Are there any 'black princess' folk stories out there to be used by Disney? edingerc has made an important point - Disney used old stories, fables, folk tales, etc, in the movies about princesses. If they were to have a successful new one, it would have to be based on an old story. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[liquid]

Here's a book that Disney could make into a movie. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters is a lovely folk tale. My children (half Puerto Rican and half German - my family thinks they are so *white* but not one of them has my husband's blue eyes!) loved this story when they were little.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0688040454/qid=1124449244/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-5906504-6379816?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

 

[hucifer]

I agree with the poster who said to write to Disney...perhaps one of the best ways to get their attention.

I disagree with the poster who said we will never see a Black princess. I think Disney realizes its marketing potential and will eventually do something about it. Why it's taken this long is beyond me.

After Pocohontas, Jasmine, Mulan, and even Lilo...I do think it's about time! Sheesh!

 

[WedwayRocks]

I want to pose a question. Do characters at Disney really play that important a role in the development of our children? Does the type of characters that children see when they go to Disney theme parks really effect what our children become? I grew up going to Disney and I know that I must have had a favorite character and I don't even remember it now, therefore, I know that it played no effect on my life. So I think we should ask ourselves, are we really getting on this soapbox, to try and "get role models that are of the same color as our children or in the minority", or is this an opportunity for us to express our displeasure (as petty as it may be) with things in the world around us. If anything, we should take the example from the character's story...they all had to overcome great struggle, not by writing whiny pointless letters or emails, but by finding solutions to the problems at hand and finding ways to make the world around them a better place. I think the greatest role model for your children is their parents, and they will take up the attitude that everyone owes you something, whether it be something as simple as a minority disney character and this will be past down for generations to come. If nothing changes, then nothing changes. Why not start with yourself and then issues like this won't matter to your children.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Why are there no black princesses? I don't know, there should be. Lets not point the finger at disney, how many fairy tales do you know with a black character? How many black super heros can you think of? I know there may be some but I can't think of any. Disney does have native american, polynesian, japanese and middle eastern characters. I just remembered that in the Incredibles I think his name was Mr. Freeze, he was black. Disney has a way to go but I think they are on the right path.
Here, I did a quick search, are some interesting links:

Did you know James Basket an African American was the first live actor to be hired by Walt Disney. --

http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/709/Walt_Disneys_first_live_actor_James_Baskett

I saw the Lion King Broadway production when it cam to Toronto, many of the cast was black, and not only was Rafiki Black but also a woman! http://disney.go.com/disneytheatrical/thelionking/about.html

This is probably why Disney has not yet made a "Black" animated feature, they are walking on egg shells and are afraid of being attacked--
http://www.units.muohio.edu/psybersite/disney/disneyculture.shtml

 

[Mortlives]

How many black super heros can you think of?

Had to jump in on this one: Static Shock, Green Lantern, Storm, and Cyborg. I'm sure there are more, but I'm not as involved in comic culture as I once was.

 

[ScoJo15]

I started to type a long response to this but ended up with the same feeling that I'll try to limit into a few words...

America is about freedom of choice. Disney can choose to portray any character and you can choose to support them or not. A rival company could see this as an opportunity and come up with a more diverse lineup. But in no way do I want to go to the castle and see white princess, white prince, black princess, black prince, asian princess, asian prince, gay princess, gay prince, hispanic princess, hispanic prince, etc. just for the sake of trying to please everyone. Disney does a great job with the World Showcase and I see cast members from all walks of life there.

No company can please everyone. Disney does what they feel is best from a marketing standpoint. Your loudest voice is your wallet.

 

[ScoJo15]

I want to pose a question. Do characters at Disney really play that important a role in the development of our children? Does the type of characters that children see when they go to Disney theme parks really effect what our children become? I grew up going to Disney and I know that I must have had a favorite character and I don't even remember it now, therefore, I know that it played no effect on my life. So I think we should ask ourselves, are we really getting on this soapbox, to try and "get role models that are of the same color as our children or in the minority", or is this an opportunity for us to express our displeasure (as petty as it may be) with things in the world around us. If anything, we should take the example from the character's story...they all had to overcome great struggle, not by writing whiny pointless letters or emails, but by finding solutions to the problems at hand and finding ways to make the world around them a better place. I think the greatest role model for your children is their parents, and they will take up the attitude that everyone owes you something, whether it be something as simple as a minority disney character and this will be past down for generations to come. If nothing changes, then nothing changes. Why not start with yourself and then issues like this won't matter to your children.

Very well said!!!!

 

[babar41]

I am sorry if any child ever thinks they can't be a prince or pricess, for any reason. All children deserve to have positive role models. All children deserve the right to dream of castles and dragons. All parents should encourage childrens imaginations. It is such a beautiful part of childhood.

I agree with the posters that said the choice of characters is a matter of $$'s. Disney is a business, their job is to make a profit. It is not their job to correct the injustices of the world. If a story is written that proves the potential for profit (this does translate to potential purchaseing of dolls and accesories) then I'm sure Disney would include other princesses.

It's sad to that in the 21st century we are still having racisim. I was raised to respect everyone for who they are. I respect all cultures, beliefs and non-beliefs. I may not agree with them, but I respect them.

For the past 10 years the U.S. has become so engrossed with being politically correct. I am really tired of the PC world. IMHO the way to bring unity is not to constantly point out the differences but instead to point out the likeness.
We live in a world with many cultures, all deserve to be represented with positive role models. ALL cultures.

OP, if you change your desire from seeing an African American princess to seeing a princess from each culture, I'll join your bandwagon. Otherwise, I'm sorry but I am tired of being forced to look at everything in a black - white way. When I go to WDW I enjoy all the beauty, all the colors, the rainbow. I prefer not to look at something and think... "this attraction/show doesn't have someone of this color or culture."

 

[KMH1]

I just remembered that in the Incredibles I think his name was Mr. Freeze, he was black.

I think you mean Frozone....Mr. Freeze is from Batman.

I don't think anyone's mentioned Esmeralda from Hunchback yet.