[nitaworm]

Hey, I am an African American and I didn't find it offensive that the Prince wasn't also an African American..we are in America and seeing bi-racial couples are the norm. However, I wonder what would have been said if the races were reversed? Caucasian princess, African American Prince...give me a break.

[b1wife]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

If the author of that article was here I'd stick gum in their eyeballs.

BWAAAHHAAAAA! Nobody messes with Wishy's Disney!

[StaceyDarling!]

Whoever wrote this article is looking for a fight where one doesn't belong. Maybe Disney is just trying to show the diversity in couples. Interracial couples is a very popular thing now. Not everything is malicious.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by StaceyDarling!

Whoever wrote this article is looking for a fight where one doesn't belong. Maybe Disney is just trying to show the diversity in couples. Interracial couples is a very popular thing now. Not everything is malicious.

I completely agree, it's a fight looking for a fight where one doesn't necessarily exist. Why can't Tiana just fall in love with who she fell in love with? Jeeez, it's a little archaic to insinuate that "even though there is a real-life black man in the highest office in the land with a black wife, Disney obviously doesn't think a black man is worthy of the title of prince."

Excuse me? That statement disgusted me. That, to me, is like saying "Every person I saw standing in line at the ice cream shop bought a vanilla cone, obviously this community doesn't think chocolate is good enough to be sold here." It's obvious to me that the writer of that passage is the one with the issue.

Let's call a spade a spade; the person who wrote that is an alarmist & none of his words hold any worth to my attention.

[gingles]

Originally Posted by Kippage

It depends on how much Disney is pulling from reality.

Our "kings" aren't of royal blood. The tribal leaders are elected officials, and there can be numerous ones serving at a time. So there isn't like a family that titles will be passed down through. But the families are more prominent and respected.

So if you look at that and kinda twist it a little, you can give Pocahontas the "princess" title, like most people do. However, I'd personally like to give that movie back to Disney and pretend it doesn't exist.

Get your point on the movie, but I guess I saw it as just a cartoon movie and DD#2 adored the character AND that the face character playing Pocahontas that Rachel met and spent 20 minutes talking to her when she was a tot (and she was REALLY Native American) and a superb CM then I can't say anyting bad about it in front of her. lol.

Also, again I think most little girls at WDW think of all of the young female face characters as "princesses" and want to be like them. That's the good part.

Having said all that, have we (America) made any really good (major) films about Native Americans? Maybe "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" or the offbeat "Little Big Man" (I read about George Custer as a hero when I was a kid).

[Justin]

Originally Posted by Peppertink

Yes, apparently someone peed in their Corn Flakes

ROFL! Don't blame me I just found the article... This author hobv. had a bad day!
- Justy

[leslieh]

This article is so hateful- the guy needs counseling for his anger, obviously!

[StaceyDarling!]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

I completely agree, it's a fight looking for a fight where one doesn't necessarily exist. Why can't Tiana just fall in love with who she fell in love with? Jeeez, it's a little archaic to insinuate that "even though there is a real-life black man in the highest office in the land with a black wife, Disney obviously doesn't think a black man is worthy of the title of prince."

Excuse me? That statement disgusted me. That, to me, is like saying "Every person I saw standing in line at the ice cream shop bought a vanilla cone, obviously this community doesn't think chocolate is good enough to be sold here." It's obvious to me that the writer of that passage is the one with the issue.

Let's call a spade a spade; the person who wrote that is an alarmist & none of his words hold any worth to my attention.

Exactly! I couldn't have explained that any better than you just did. Some people are just ignorant and fishing for something to write... journos! haha (jk!)

But yes, that statement was completely disgusting and uncalled for. And completely out of text.

[webfltrs]

Well, I can see how everyone thinks that the author already had an opinion formed before he did the research and found out why they choose to cast the prince as they did. But, the real princesses have been of a certain racial profile, and I think the author was responding to that. In our day and age, people do notice when diversity isn't being represented.

But anyway, interesting discussion on what makes a princess a legitimate princess. I guess you can never go back and recreate the original princesses, because they already are and will remain classic.

[dwoodz]

I can understand some of the frustration of the original author. Don't get me wrong....I love Disney, I'd live on Main Street if I could. However, Disney hasn't gone the distance in providing equality in some of its productions. I took my daughter to the Princess Tea Party two years ago and was amazed that all the princess dolls were white. It would have been nice to have an assortment since the dolls weren't of a particular princess, they were all images of a generic princess.

I purchase my daughter dolls of every color and at this time (4th grade) she is aware of different races, but treats them all the same because of how my wife and I've raised her. I would dress her up every year (until two years ago) as a Disney Princess during Halloween. She loved it until she once asked me why there aren't any black princesses. I didn't expect the question and didn't know how to respond. I just told her that maybe one day there will be.

Instead of feeding into the anger of the author, I'd suggest trying to understand why he feels the way he does. How would you like it if your child didn't have someone they could relate to? As big as the Disney name brand is, I would have expected this should have been created years ago.

[Seadragon7]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

Actually.... of the six official Disney princesses - Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Ariel, and Jasmine - only one is of a different skin tone. I don't consider Mulan or Pocahontas princesses because they came along much later and were not of royal blood and did not marry a prince (or maybe Mulan's fellow was a prince... I don't quite recall... I know he was a soldier). There has definitely not been representation for "every racial and ethnic group." I have yet to see a Latino "royal."

I have a feeling this new "princess" is not really a princess, considering it's set in New Orleans, and as far as I know, New Orleans is not a monarchy. I find it odd (rather ironic, really) that it's taking place in the deep south.... I wonder if she'll have a southern accent. (She better.... and it better be a real southern accent - not a thick, fake, really drawn out, ghetto sort of accent.)

As for Tiana being a more "African American name," I also find that mildly amusing. I don't quite understand the problem with "Maddy." I think people are looking too far into it.

And if they made the prince black, what would that really teach young girls? That you must marry within your own race? Disney princesses are known for accepting (and loving!) someone who is different from them (Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Eric, Pocahontas and John, Jasmine and Aladdin.... all were opposites! In fact, Snow White and Cinderella were the only ones who notabley "married up" - and even so, they were still quite different from their prince).

But I hope this is animated like a classic. I was afraid that Lilo and Stitch would be the last Disney film using classic animation. I am rather tired of this computer animation.

I agree with everything you just stated. Also remember as far as Barak Obama is concerned, he is not full African American but half white as well so one does not have to marry within ones own race to be worthy of princess status. Look forward to the new film. Take care

[dwoodz]

[quote=LittleMissMagic;948573]Actually.... of the six official Disney princesses - Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Ariel, and Jasmine - only one is of a different skin tone. I don't consider Mulan or Pocahontas princesses because they came along much later and were not of royal blood and did not marry a prince (or maybe Mulan's fellow was a prince... I don't quite recall... I know he was a soldier). There has definitely not been representation for "every racial and ethnic group." I have yet to see a Latino "royal."

I have a feeling this new "princess" is not really a princess, considering it's set in New Orleans, and as far as I know, New Orleans is not a monarchy. I find it odd (rather ironic, really) that it's taking place in the deep south.... I wonder if she'll have a southern accent. (She better.... and it better be a real southern accent - not a thick, fake, really drawn out, ghetto sort of accent.)

As for Tiana being a more "African American name," I also find that mildly amusing. I don't quite understand the problem with "Maddy." I think people are looking too far into it.

And if they made the prince black, what would that really teach young girls? That you must marry within your own race? Disney princesses are known for accepting (and loving!) someone who is different from them (Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Eric, Pocahontas and John, Jasmine and Aladdin.... all were opposites! In fact, Snow White and Cinderella were the only ones who notabley "married up" - and even so, they were still quite different from their prince).

You are correct in that they (Disney Princesses) are all different from their Prince in many aspects, however the point of the author was to signify that none of the other Princesses (except Pocahontas) married outside of their race. I can't wait until the next Disney Princess film is made where a white Princess marries a man of a different race. And you are correct that a woman can marry anyone she chooses, I hope all young girls (along with their parents) feel inspired when that man happens to be of a different race. This will show true change.

[dwoodz]

Just wondering....What does a "ghetto accent" sound like? Perhaps you've been sheltered, but your above statement boasts of arrogance! I've learned the Internet is a great place to express ones true feelings! You shouldn't judge an individuals perspective unless you are willing to open your eyes to their reality.

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

Actually.... of the six official Disney princesses - Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Ariel, and Jasmine - only one is of a different skin tone. I don't consider Mulan or Pocahontas princesses because they came along much later and were not of royal blood and did not marry a prince (or maybe Mulan's fellow was a prince... I don't quite recall... I know he was a soldier). There has definitely not been representation for "every racial and ethnic group." I have yet to see a Latino "royal."

I have a feeling this new "princess" is not really a princess, considering it's set in New Orleans, and as far as I know, New Orleans is not a monarchy. I find it odd (rather ironic, really) that it's taking place in the deep south.... I wonder if she'll have a southern accent. (She better.... and it better be a real southern accent - not a thick, fake, really drawn out, ghetto sort of accent.)

As for Tiana being a more "African American name," I also find that mildly amusing. I don't quite understand the problem with "Maddy." I think people are looking too far into it.

And if they made the prince black, what would that really teach young girls? That you must marry within your own race? Disney princesses are known for accepting (and loving!) someone who is different from them (Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Eric, Pocahontas and John, Jasmine and Aladdin.... all were opposites! In fact, Snow White and Cinderella were the only ones who notabley "married up" - and even so, they were still quite different from their prince).

But I hope this is animated like a classic. I was afraid that Lilo and Stitch would be the last Disney film using classic animation. I am rather tired of this computer animation.

[boilerjeff]

Originally Posted by nitaworm

Hey, I am an African American and I didn't find it offensive that the Prince wasn't also an African American..we are in America and seeing bi-racial couples are the norm. However, I wonder what would have been said if the races were reversed? Caucasian princess, African American Prince...give me a break.

Hey, all I care is that it is a relationship between a man and a woman! I am sorry, I am not going to cast the first stone and judge others.....and no offense to anyone, but Miss California is exactly right! I want my boys to understand that Marriage = Man + Woman (no matter the color of their skin!!!!). It scares me that people with political agendas require people to think as they do. Again, to each their own and I cannot and will not judge others.