One of my lifelong dreams is to be Jasmine at DisneyWorld. I've always wanted to be a Disney princess and ever since I can remember I've claimed Jasmine for myself. It wasn't until recently that I realized why.
You see when you're growing up and you pick which character you're going to pretend to be, you are usually limited to whoever is similar to you. That's why I was Scary Spice whenever we were the Spice Girls, even though I always wanted to be Sporty.
The thing is, I chose Jasmine not because she was my favorite but because she was the closest to the way I look. There has never been a black princess and so I was left to identify with the next best thing: an Arabian princess.
Now I know race shouldn't matter, etc. … But in this case it is pretty dang important.
Next year, Disney is finally releasing a black princess. They decided it was time to come away from the racist "rumors" that have befallen them since Walt Disney Animation Studios was created. I mean, when the founder has made comments like hiring African-Americans would "have spoiled the illusion at Disneyland," you have to do something to prove that you're politically correct.
"The Princess and the Frog," formerly named "The Frog Princess," aims to do just that. And let me tell you Disney, if there was any doubt of your racism before … well, this movie takes it all away.
The main character's original name was Maddy, a name considered to be stereotypical for a lower-class black woman. Of course, they had to change the name after complaints and so we now have Tiana, the afrocentric 'fro-sporting princess.
Now that we have her name, what should be her occupation? A chambermaid working for a rich, white, spoiled Southern debutante, of course. Does anyone see anything wrong with this? Well, if you know the original Brother's Grimm story, you would know that Tiana should be a princess before she meets the frog.
Disney must have finally realized the similarities between a chambermaid and a slave because Tiana lost her job, and according to Disney, "will be a heroine in the great tradition of Disney's rich animated fairy tale legacy, and all other characters and aspects of the story will be treated with the greatest respect and sensitivity."
So we now have the name thing covered, they have the job covered, what about location? Oh, don't worry; Tiana isn't going to get a magical kingdom far, far way like all the other princesses. She deserves much better — she deserves New Orleans.
That's right, folks. This new movie will take place in good old New Orleans, during the 1920s Jazz Era. Now I must say Jazz will make for an impressive soundtrack, but New Orleans?
What, is the black princess undeserving of a kingdom? You already robbed her of her crown and now you make her "castle" an apartment in the French Quarter? Am I the only one who sees something terribly wrong with this?
I mean, I have nothing against New Orleans; most of my family is from Louisiana. And, I do understand that we should want to do anything we can to help the city get back on its feet after the terrible disaster that most people seem to have forgotten. But to set a fairy tale in an actual city is just so inconsistent with Disney.
So Disney, this is my warning: you already have three strikes with me. But, come 2009, I will be there ready to critique, so this better be the most fantabulous movie ever if you want to assure me that the company no longer holds its racist beliefs.
At least I have Randy Newman's music to look forward to. Oh, and by the way, Jasmine will still be my princess 'til the day I die.
Rachel is a journalism sophomore. She can be reached at: rmbranch@asu.edu.
