The Obama Effect

Now, I know Disney couldn’t see into the future and be able to plan The Princess and the Frog to premiere in the same year that Barack Obama was elected as the first president of African descent, but fate and providence would have it so. Since this is the case, are there any similarities between the Obamas and the Prince and Princess of Maldonia?

Similarity number one-“Someone looks like me”

The biggest similarity between The Obamas and Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen is that black people now feel like they are finally being equally recognized in prominent areas of society. If there’re a few things in common with everybody, it’s that everyone has seen the President and the White House, and everyone has had Disney movies as an integral part of their childhood. Up until this year, both the presidents and most of the Disney princesses have been white, leaving quite a few minorities left out of the picture. At the very least, Disney started changing their ways with the creation of characters like Princess Jasmine, Mulan, and Pocahontas, but one of the largest ethnic groups was still left out of the picture—African Americans. Now, all that has changed for good.

One sentiment that has been echoed by African-Americans throughout Obama’s election, inauguration, and the beginning of his presidency is that they now feel like they have a president they can identify with. This same sentiment has held true for The Princess and the Frog. One example that springs to mind is the recent Tyra Show episode where she took three deserving girls and their parents to Disney Land to have a party and to meet Tiana and Naveen. When asked how they felt about the newest princess, she said something to the effect of “Now there’s a princess in the park that looks like me.” It’s almost like African-Americans are celebrating a second inauguration.

Similarity number two-Are things jazzier, or is it just me?

I’m not trying to start any race wars or anything, but I’m merely observing the fact that both the Obamas and Tiana and Naveen bring a different je ne sais quoi to the general state of things. Of course, part of the difference in the Disney parks is that New Orleans has never been featured this prominently before, but I think the change of pace in both the White House, the Disney Princess line, and the Disney parks, makes America better by allowing Americans to experience different cultures on a much broader and more mainstream scale.

Similarity number three-What’s next?

I know Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said he’s not going to run, but still…(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Now that we’re in the middle of the Obama presidency and we’re days away from the nationwide release of The Princess and the Frog, one has to wonder what’s going to come next in America’s history. Obama’s presidency opens the door for other minorities to vie for the Oval Office. And now that we have another minority princess in the ranks, this further opens the floodgates for Disney to approach stories dealing with diversity. Nowadays, the belief that America is the place where dreams come true has been realized to its full potential. ▪

Tags: animation, Barack Obama, Blockbusters, Disney, Disney Parks, Movies, The Princess and the Frog