Will There Ever Be an...

[disneyphanatic1911]

African American Princess? I would really like to see Disney make an animated movie based on an African American Princess. Is this in the works? Do you think it would/could ever happen?

There are many African folktales that they could base the story around.

What are your thoughts?

 

[mickeyfan2]

I think so but I have no ideas when.

 

[dbarker]

They seem to be diversifying their princesses nowadays. I think it is just a matter of time--and a good story.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

There's bound to be just the right story coming along. May it be sooner rather than later!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

In principle, I think it is a great idea. Only, unless she came to America, she'd be African, not African-American.

 

[outtonight]

Wasn't there once talk of animating Aida?

 

[kellyanne731]

I think it would be a great idea. As a minority, I always think there should be more diverse representation in movies/tv.

 

[zippehsmom]

I have always thought there should be. Hopefully one day there will be a princess representing all ethnicities/

 

[lucyanna girl]

Why not?

 

[DreamDelta]

I'm really hoping so . DD (2) loves the princesses and says that she is a princess herself, but I would LOVE to see a princess that looks more like her. I think Disney needs to get with it and make sure that there is a princess that African-American little girls can look up too.

I feel a letter writing campaign coming on...

 

[Matt]

Now let's be fair to Disney. We have a Middle-Eastern princess, a Native American, an Asian princess, and a half-fish princess. I mean, if they were all lilly white, I'd agree.

However, I'm more concerned with Disney finding decent stories and making great movies (that aren't Pixar) than I am them filling a quota. However, if they can, it would be great.

I do think they should have Frozone out signing autographs more though. There aren't many African-American characters to begin with. They should use the big one they have.

 

[disneyphanatic1911]

 

[Daxx]

I think this is a wonderful idea and hope to see an African princess in the near future!!!

 

[Stacerita]

I think it would be great if the princesses were more ethnically diverse. But I dont think they need to be a princess for girls to look up to them.

 

[disneyphanatic1911]

I think it would be great if the princesses were more ethnically diverse. But I dont think they need to be a princess for girls to look up to them.

I agree!

That's a parent's job.

 

[tmt martins]

well they did a hero out of a FAT WHITE MIDDLE_AGED MALE and we all know we are the last on the minories and priotities list now a days

So I think it's just a matter on time with Raven dominating the Disney chanel in prime time it's due.

 

[Disney Doll]

I think it would be great if the princesses were more ethnically diverse. But I dont think they need to be a princess for girls to look up to them.

How much more ethically diverse can they be?

Mulan-Asian
Jasmine-Middle Eastern
Pochontas-Native American Indian
Ariel- half fish
Snow White-European (German I think)
Belle-European (French)

Cinderella is about the only one who seems to be a WASP.

An African princess is about the only one missing, and I am sure that once they find a good African folktale to base a princess on, we'll see that too.

 

[sambahat]

I think it would be a great idea to do something with an African princess. Disney hasn't really tapped much into the legends, folklore, and history of Africa, that I would think it would be easy (relatively of course) to come up with a good story.

I also think it wouldn't be a bad marketing idea to have a character of color that would be identified by other young girls of color.

The trick would be to not come across as trying too hard to be politically correct: developing a story with a princess of color for the sake of doing it. People would see right through it and be annoyed.

 

[TDC Nala]

You didn't mention Esmeralda...while she's not a princess, she's a female protagonist. Technically, Mulan isn't a princess either. She's a Chinese girl who ends up a warrior (and I usually think it's ironic that the parks usually have her walking around all done up in the matchmaker dress, which she hated. I've seen her in her armor only a couple of times). Pocahontas...she's the chief's daughter, does that make her a princess?

The only animated feature I recall set in Africa featured animals...maybe they can find a good African story that would appeal to everyone to use.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I, too, wish they would have an African princess. One of my dear friends is a black woman from Dominican Republic married to a white man of German, Irish, French and ??? heritage. They have 2 of the most beautiful daughters and I often take care of one or both the girls so their mom can have a break.

R., the oldest, loves the Disney Princesses, and told me one day that she wishes she were all white so she could be a princess, too. I told her that princesses could be any color, but she doesn't believe that. When I asked her why not, she said that she's never seen a black princess.
Sigh. I wish she could see that she can be black and beautiful and a princess, too.