With Change Comes Critics

As I've come to learn, Disney critics are a tough crowd. No matter what Disney does, somebody is always upset or offended by their decisions. However, I suppose this is the case with anything that has such a substantial impact on our popular culture.

In one of my earlier posts, A Mickey Mouse Monopoly, I explored the common idea among critics that Disney is racist. One of the main reasons behind this point was that the overwhelming majority of Disney princesses were caucasian and attractive, while the only characters portraying black traits were monkeys. According to them, this leads young girls to believe that only white women can be beautiful.

To satisfy its audience, and to keep up with the progressive times, Disney came out with The Princess and the Frog in 2009. This was the first Disney film to feature a black princess as the main character, after nearly 80 years of animation. After decades of flack from the African American community, you would think this would be cause for celebration.

Think again.

The first complaints came years before the movie even hit theaters, with critics challenging the lead character's announced name and occupation -- She would be a maid for a white family named Maddy. When her name and occupation were labeled demeaning (people felt her name bared close resemblance to the ethnic slur "Mammy"), Disney was quick to respond, renaming the heroine Tiana and recasting her as a chef.

While Disney was able to avert that particular crisis, they should have known it would not be the end of their problems. When it was revealed that the groundbreaking African-American princess would not be falling in love with an African-American prince, outrage ensued.

 "We can have a black president in office, but not a black Disney prince?" was a common cry heard among critics.

dailymail.co.uk

On the other hand, Disney is doing exactly what most parents and teachers believe it should do -- promote racial tolerance. We should credit Disney for diversifying their portfolio and promoting interracial relationships. Moreover, this is an animated movie for kids about people who transform into frogs; the main characters even spend most of their screen time as amphibians, with their race being imperceptible.

When asked her opinion on the situation, Oprah Winfrey (who plays the voice of Tiana's mother) said, "You have to applaud [Disney] for finally having their first African-American princess. Sadly, though, given all the complaining folks are doing without even seeing the movie, Tiana will probably be Disney's last black princess."