African American Disney Princess Controversy

on April 1, 2009 at 12:42 PM

Disney photo as shown in UK Daily Mail

The Princess and The Frog set for release late this year will be Disney's first animation starring an African American princess. I want to jump up and down on my bed for all the little girls who look as I did as a child, but unlike the girl me, will have a chance to actually see themselves reflected in a fairy tale. Yay for Princess Tiana! Go on, girl!

There is a controversy surrounding this movie however.

Prince Naveen, the dashing guy who eventually scoops the beautiful princess off of her feet, is apparently white. In response to this, some people are charging Disney with being uncomfortable with idea of a black prince, and by extension, "black love" to represent a fairy tale.

Talk more about it with other moms in the CM group ThePrincessandTheFrog!

Could that be possible? What do you think about Disney's decision not to have a black prince? Issue or non-issue?

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Comments (60)

May-20

on Apr 1, 2009 at 1:27 PM

A new princess?!? My daughter will be beside herself over this. Seriously. She loves all the Disney princesses.

Um, I don't know that I have an opinion about the prince being white and the princess being black. If we are trying to raise our children to be color-blind (I am), then I think this is a non-issue, to me, anyway.

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a2zali

on Apr 1, 2009 at 1:32 PM

The name Naveen actually suggests our prince is middle eastern as do his features

emslala

I think it's better that the prince is of a different race. That teaches children to love beyond color, which is a lesson that many adults could stand to learn!

NorahSethsMommy

I love the new princess and I think the white prince (or at least I hope) is indicative of mixed race relationships being more acceptable and common. Its a good thing IMO.

laura7485

on Apr 1, 2009 at 1:38 PM

The prince is def a non-issue with us! I love that they are getting out of the "blond and blue eyed" mold!My daughters will love that there is a new princess!

txmamaof3

on Apr 1, 2009 at 1:39 PM

I think so too.. he doesnt look white to me, he looks middle eastern... but as other posters said about teaching our children to love and not to look at a person's color is a great idea and i wonder why they havent come up with this sooner

tayanddyl

on Apr 1, 2009 at 1:42 PM

I started a group for Moms to share info about this movie. It's www.cafemom/group/ThePincessandTheFrog. I can not wait for the movie to come out. I live in New Orleans so this really makes me want to see it even more.

JessecaLynn

on Apr 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM

I don't think it is an issue, and agree with the other posters. I can't wait to take my little girls to this movie.

Sorry, I was so excited I forget to say, it's a non-issue for me. My kids have friends of many colors and that's the way I raise them.

Mrs.Combs

on Apr 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM

Hmm. Interesting.I don't think it's an issue, but I am saying that because I am HOPING that Disney is trying to break racial boundaries. And I have to agree with a2zali on the prince being Middle Eastern rather than white.

In any case...it's about time.