It seems that in 2009, Disney will release another movie — The Frog Princess — and for the first time, will feature a black princess (my emphasis):
Once upon a time, nearly all fairytale movie princesses had three things in common: a tiara, a sparkly cap-sleeve dress and porcelain white skin. In recent years, the Walt Disney Co., the studio that brought Snow White and Cinderella to life, has presented a more diverse array of animated leading ladies. And this week they announced one more: Princess Maddy, the studio’s first black princess, is expected to make her debut in a 2009 hand-drawn animated feature called “The Frog Princess.”
What do you think about Disney’s newest princess? Is it important for princess-loving little girls to have icons who look like them?
That last question may not win the Dumb Question of the Day Award, but it’s real close.
At the 3 min., 53 sec. mark, you’ll see why.
In truth, life is not a fairy tale, and princesses in Disney movies don’t look like any of us. But if beauty and self-esteem are more than skin deep, then every little girl needs to see herself as a princess — valued, treasured, and good.
She should see herself as she deserves to be seen, both in the mirror, and in the world around her.
We’ll see how it goes.. After all It’s Disney.. But for the record.. my Black Friends in New Orleans who are following this are amused, They say “She better be from the 9′th Ward!”