The Princess and the Frog is an upcoming animated musical feature film currently being produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and based upon the classic fairy tale The Frog Prince. It will be the first traditionally animated (2-D) feature film in Disney's animated features canon since 2004's Home on the Range. The film is set in New Orleans during the 1920s Jazz Age, and Tiana will be the first black Disney Princess.
While it seems this might be a GREAT thing for us. . . there are critics who say the Disney story is too-little, too-late and that the story line is full of racist elements. I say to the critics: SHADDUP!!!!! And I say this mainly because the majority of the critics are black folks or “well meaning” white folks who have appointed themselves our representatives.
First of all, Disney is the ONLY Company that has even thought about, considered or put into action any type of plan to include a diverse group of characters in their portfolio. Why didn’t some of these critics come up with the idea or beat Disney to the punch? Why haven’t black owned studios or television stations created programming or movies that cater to little black girls to show them that they are just as beautiful (even more so) than Cinderella.
There are even critiques about the storyline, which takes place in the 1920’s in New Orleans. People who got an early taste of the film were “shocked” that there was a plantation owner and that the main character was a chambermaid and that her name was Maddy. Um- correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t that pretty much how things were in the 1920’s in the South?!?!? So as not to offend (and to protect their bottom line), Disney tweaked the story line and now the plantation owner is a “sugar cane farmer” and the main character while still a chambermaid her new name is Tiana.
Again maybe I’m crazy but I thought ALL the Disney princesses were poor or down on their luck before they become “princesses”?! That is the Disney formula!!! Rags to riches. Wishing on a star and making your dreams come true. Who cares if Maddy/Tiana is a maid or that she lives on a plantation? As long as in the end she gets the damn prince and they live happily ever after!!! Seriously people, there are much bigger fish to fry and other issues that need our immediate attention. If we could get people as engaged in protecting the lives and education of our children as they are with fighting over the image of an imaginary, animated character- then we’d probably make some serious progress!
While it seems this might be a GREAT thing for us. . . there are critics who say the Disney story is too-little, too-late and that the story line is full of racist elements. I say to the critics: SHADDUP!!!!! And I say this mainly because the majority of the critics are black folks or “well meaning” white folks who have appointed themselves our representatives.
First of all, Disney is the ONLY Company that has even thought about, considered or put into action any type of plan to include a diverse group of characters in their portfolio. Why didn’t some of these critics come up with the idea or beat Disney to the punch? Why haven’t black owned studios or television stations created programming or movies that cater to little black girls to show them that they are just as beautiful (even more so) than Cinderella.
There are even critiques about the storyline, which takes place in the 1920’s in New Orleans. People who got an early taste of the film were “shocked” that there was a plantation owner and that the main character was a chambermaid and that her name was Maddy. Um- correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t that pretty much how things were in the 1920’s in the South?!?!? So as not to offend (and to protect their bottom line), Disney tweaked the story line and now the plantation owner is a “sugar cane farmer” and the main character while still a chambermaid her new name is Tiana.
Again maybe I’m crazy but I thought ALL the Disney princesses were poor or down on their luck before they become “princesses”?! That is the Disney formula!!! Rags to riches. Wishing on a star and making your dreams come true. Who cares if Maddy/Tiana is a maid or that she lives on a plantation? As long as in the end she gets the damn prince and they live happily ever after!!! Seriously people, there are much bigger fish to fry and other issues that need our immediate attention. If we could get people as engaged in protecting the lives and education of our children as they are with fighting over the image of an imaginary, animated character- then we’d probably make some serious progress!
I think it's going to be a great film and has the potential to be a classic just like the others. But what will probably dictate it's success is whether or not Black folks go out and support it like they should! Check out the trailier: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princessandthefrog/
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