Who needs a black princess anyway?

[RStar]

The Princess and the Frog seems to be causing a stir.

But why would anyone be upset that the princess of the story was updated to be African American in the new animated Disney film? Princesses come from all over the world, and so far Disney has shown Europe and Asia. So what's all the fuss over? I'm not sure what country this is suppose to take place, or what true nationality she is suppose to be, but she seems to round out the Disney Princesses.

What do you think? Any one heard any of the rumblings, or is this just marketing hype?

Story here (http://www.bvblackspin.com/2009/06/05/who-needs-a-black-princess-anyway-we-all-do/?icid=main|aim|dl3|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bvblacks pin.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fwho-needs-a-black-princess-anyway-we-all-do%2F)

[scaeagles]

I've heard rumblings.

There were issues raised that her original name of "Maddy" sounded to much like a slave name, and then also that the prince was too light skinned.

I find all the uproar ridiculous from any direction, really.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Of course there's rumblings. We're still too immature a country to handle anything regarding race.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm more upset that the filmmakers were instructed to design things to look like Disneyland so that the "synergy" planned for the Park could work to its utmost.

So, as far as i know, at least part of the story takes place in and around New Orleans. There's a steamboat that looks like the Mark Twain, but has the stacks in the back.


Bleh.




I think I kinda like it that the castles in the parks look nothing like their movie counterparts.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I see nothing wrong with a black princess. She still looks like she has European features, but whatever.

I'm with you, ISM, in that movie castles need not be copies of the real-life castles.

[RStar]

Is this suppose to take place in New Orleans? With a castle??

[Alex]

I'd take with a pinch of salt their proclamation that there's "been a tremendous amount of controversy" over the movie when the link they provide it to another story on the same site. Though there was a rather prominent slam of the initial announcement of the movie by a BET columnist.

That said, Disney has never handled race issues well in its animated movies (more through cluelessness and paternalism than outright racism) so I can see why some would have their doubts when a bunch of white people at Disney gather and pronounce proudly how they've granted a black girl entry into the pantheon and isn't that just the most wonderful thing ever?

My biggest issue is Randy Newman doing the score. Who needs that yet again?

[Gemini Cricket]

I'd take with a pinch of salt their proclamation that there's "been a tremendous amount of controversy" over the movie when the link they provide it to another story on the same site.

You beat me to it. I logged back in to post the same thing.