Like most African American adults and children, Kye Wilson of Atlanta will be excited to witness history when Disney features Princess Tiana, the first animated black princess, in the movie, The Princess and the Frog. However, she did share an interesting observation when she visited Disney World in Orlando, Fla., recently.
“You will not believe what they were selling at Disney World,” she said. “Tiana, of course, has her own little section – and they had Princess Tiana wigs,” Wilson added, noting that Disney has partnered with Carol’s Daughter to create a line of haircare products based on the black heroine.
While the Tiana wigs gave Wilson, a black woman, a reason for pause, she is happy that a black company like Carol’s Daughter is able to profit from Disney’s multimillion-dollar marketing project.
Opening on Dec. 11, The Princess and the Frog has people nationwide talking about how Disney may portray African Americans, and they are snapping up Princess Tiana memorabilia for their children at store outlets and online.
“Please say it’s good,” begged Deanna Davis of Charlotte, N.C., speaking for many other black women. “My niece’s doll was delivered to her today [and] it’s going to be really hard for me to get it back if Disney is trippin’ [with blatant stereotypical depictions of black life]!’
Others are simply Disney animated movie fans, watching and memorizing the intergenerational classics Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella andThe Lion King since they were kids. They are grateful to finally have a Disney tale feature characters that finally resemble them, like Monica Calhoun Rogers of Akron, Ohio: “Personally, I can’t wait to take my daughters and nieces to see this movie. It has been a long time coming. I will let you know what my girls think of it.”
Black men were equally opinionated and anticipatory over the film. Los Angeles-based independent filmmaker Hashim Williams was philosophical in his perspective of what the film means.
“I’m not a black woman, but I’m engaged to one, my mother is one, my mother and my sister are, and my daughter is one. I think the concept is beautiful, to give children of all races the message that we are aren’t all that different,” Williams said
Williams is still concerned over the trailer of the film. “The characters did seem to be a bit stereotypical from my first look [but], I might need to watch it again,” he said. “The story of a black princess is most necessary and overdue.”
Wilson said Princess Tiana dolls will infuse a sense of pride in little black girls, telling them that they can dream big and accomplish their goals.
“I did rush out and buy the doll for my nieces’ birthday,” Wilson said. “I cannot tell you how many of the other Disney princesses I have purchased for them over the last six years. They live for these dolls, toys, dress up outfits, etc. I am glad that they specifically requested Tiana this time. It made it a bit easier to buy yet another one.”
There was one consensus among black moviegoers: They hope The Princess and the Frog will portray African Americans accurately – and be good enough to be inducted into the pantheon of memorable, iconic Disney animated films. –terry shropshire
