Some say it’s been long overdue and others say that Disney can’t pull it off. Disney who has long been criticized for their void of darker skinned heroines and heroes will release The Frog Princess (due in 2009) and in so doing unveil Maddy, their first ever African American princess.
Disney, who has said publicly that they wanted to pay tribute to New Orleans who still is not rebuilt after Katrina, describes The Frog Princess as ‘an American fairy tale’. There have been no details regarding the plot, but rumor has it that it takes place in the 1920’s during the jazz era in New Orleans.
Disney’s ‘original’ princesses are Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves), Cinderella, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and Ariel (The Little Mermaid). They then added their first non-white princess in 1992 with the creation of princess Jasmine from “Aladdin”. Next was Mulan in 1998, and then Pocohantas in 2000.
While I certainly understand the criticism, I have to point out that Disney’s first princesses were always from classic fairy tales–the stories themselves did not originate with Disney. (Don’t tell my daughters that though.) Since 1992 they have only churned out non-white princesses. I also have to say that while some adults may criticize Disney for their white heroines, my kids don’t care. They adore all the Disney princesses–regardless of skin color. (Did I mention that we have so many we could start a Disney princess village? I guess that’s the lot of having 4 girls!)
I am sure that Disney will have an onslaught of remarks when the movie finally comes out. I can imagine some saying that it wasn’t soon enough and that they should’ve done it better. It’s funny, and maybe it’s because I was too young to notice or care, but I don’t remember all the hubub about Disney’s first non-white princess in 1992. In either case, it will be interesting to see what they do with an African American heroine living in the deep south in the 1920’s.
The Disney Princess line has totaled billions of dollars in revenue and I’m sure Maddy will be a big hit. If she comes with cool clothes and cool accessories I’m sure the twins will be begging to add her to their doll collection.