Ever since Disney announced they were going to make The Princess and the Frog, the first animated movie featuring a black princess, there has been chatter, and quite a bit of it has been negative. People have had problems with Princess Tiana’s original name, Maddy, and her original occupation, a chambermaid, as well as the initial prince she was going to marry, a white charismatic prince named Harry. While people who have a say in the media-columnists, talking heads, etc.-have given their two cents on the matter, no one has ever asked people who might actually see the movie-college students. Yes, college students. Young adults going to college nowadays grew up during the Disney Renaissance during the ‘80s and‘90s. They will make up the audience that will go see the first 2D-animated movie in five years. So it would only make sense to see what they think. The following responses are from two students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Audra D. Pettway and Chelsea J. Marion.
Moniqueblog-What were your initial reactions when you heard about Disney making their first black princess movie?
Audra D. Pettway-I was really excited to see that Disney was making their first black princess movie.
Chelsea J. Marion- I was excited because I felt that my nieces would have a Disney Princess to grow up with who looked like them and who they could identify with. As a child, the most diverse Disney characters were Mulan and Pocahontas and Jasmine.
MB-Do you think Disney will make any more movies featuring black characters? Why or why not?
ADP-As long as they don’t loose any money or get too much opposition about featuring black characters, I think Disney would continue to feature them.
CJM- I think that it depends on the reception of this movie. If this movie is successful, then Disney will probably diversify their characters and possibly create some other princesses of diverse heritage(s). However, if this movie does not do well at the box office, which I highly doubt, then there will be a lapse back into what has been done already.
MB-When the story was initially proposed, Tiana was named Maddy and was a chambermaid in a rich person’s house in 1920s New Orleans. Do you feel that the name and occupations changes were necessary, even though the movie is still set in the ’20s South?
CJM- I think the name change makes it more relevant for younger black females. I do not know if the change in occupation as necessary except to be historically correct. When has Disney ever been completely historically correct?
ADP-The names or occupations didn’t need to be changed since it was set during that time. But Tiana is an overall better name that the younger generation could relate to.
MB-Do you feel that Prince Naveen should be black? Why or why not?
ADP-I don’t think that Prince Naveen had to be black.
CJM- I think that the race of the prince is unimportant because John Smith in Pocahontas was not Native American. He was white. So it wouldn’t be unheard of. I like that he is black[non-white]* because black[non-white] men are underrepresented in cartoons period, unless you count The Boondocks.
MB-Naveen comes from the fictional country of Maldonia. Do you feel that making up a new country is necessary for a character of color? Do you think it negates the idea of regal black/African men?
ADP-No, making up a new country wasn’t necessary for a character of color, but one must recognize that this is a children’s story and imaginary lands are common.
CJM- I don’t think that making up a country was necessary. It sort of goes along with the idea of referring to Africa as a country and not a continent because people don’t know the names of countries in Africa. It does negate the idea of regal black/African men.
MB-Originally, the prince was supposed to be a white man. Do you agree with the decision Disney made by changing the original prince to Prince Naveen?
CJM- Like I said before, the race of the prince does not matter. However, I do agree with the decision to change the original prince to Naveen.
ADP-I actually agree with Disney. They are a business and having a black princess is kind of risky on its own. As we saw with Obama’s election some of America may not be ready for certain things. So, it is okay for Disney to take it one step at a time and see how the public responds.
MB-Have you bought any Princess and the Frog merchandise? Why or why not?
ADP-I haven’t bought anything yet because I haven’t seen anything. But I plan on it.**
CJM- I have not. I feel like I am too old to buy merchandise for the movie. However, if I enjoy the film, then I will purchase the DVD.
MB-Are you going to see the movie? Why or why not?
ADP-Definitely, we have to support change! We’ve been waiting on it for so long.
CJM- I am going to see the movie and I plan on taking my oldest niece to go see it as well because it is an important and historical moment that I want to share with her. So I want it to be special for her as well.
MB-Any final thoughts?
CJM- This movie is being released at a perfect time because Chris Rock’s Good Hair is also being released. So it is just a good time in entertainment for young blacks. ▪
* “Non-white” was put in brackets because Prince Naveen isn’t technically black. But he’s not technically white, either, and this is one of the things that’s causing part of the controversy. A lot of people want the prince to be one solid race, not an amalgam of races.
**Disney Stores are now selling Princess and the Frog merchandise; if you’re in Alabama, go to the Disney Store in the Riverchase Galleria.
