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[seraphcelene]

Although I'm excited about the idea of an Africa-American Disney Princess, I am really irritated by the fact that she has to spend a portion of the movie as a frog. When has any other "traditional" Disney Princess spent a movie transformed into an animal? Ariel, at least, only goes from recognizably humanoid to full human. Why does Tiana get lesser treatment? But maybe I'm splitting hairs, borrowing trouble or whatever people will say in lieu of "you should be happy to have a black character period". All I'm saying is that when it comes to animated black/african/african-american people, Disney has a habit of de-humanizing them.

But, again, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm missing something.

Comments

[seraphcelene]

Unfortunately, the bar for princes and princess is different. Lacking the suggestion of emulation, perhaps because the marketing dollars are focused in a different direction. Whereas the princesses are used to define or represent ideas of femininity, the princes don't seem to have that pressure outside of the confines of the movie theater.

I'm not excited about the "first" CoC, as you point out Tiana has three predecessors. I am specifically excited about the first African-American "princess." Regardless of how widespread her appeal or longevity following the movie, which, as you suggest, doesn't promise to be especially extensive, my primary objection in this instance is the de-humanization of a black character. The CoC's that you point out have animal sidekicks, but none of them are reduced to animals themselves. I object to the fact that this isn't the case for The Princess and the Frog. (As much as I loved The Lion King, back in the day I was annoyed by the fact that an African story had to be played out by animals.) My next question is, how much of the movie does Tiana spend on four legs?

Overall, I'm just dissatisfied.