Disney debuts its first black princess in "The Princess and the Frog": Walt Disney Pictures makes history this weekend with the release of its movie "The Princess and the Frog." Tiana, the main character in the animated film, is Disney’s first black princess.
The black princess is portrayed in "The Princess and the Frog" as a hardworking waitress in 1920s New Orleans.
Ron Clements and John Musker directed the movie, and neither of them are African-American or female.
Disney’s black princess is being introduced on the national scene a year after the country broke the color barrier by electing its first black President Barack Obama. The year 2009 therefore saw two firsts in color barrier breakage: One, Barack Obama getting sworn in as USA’s first Black President and second is "Tiana" being launched as Disney’s first black princess. Both are in a way important historical events.
About the story
The princess named Tiana is portrayed as a hardworking waitress in 1920s New Orleans. Her best friend is a wealthy white who dreams of meeting her prince charming.
As for Tiana, she is a working class woman, who concentrates on her work and dreams of opening her own restaurant than waiting for a fairy godmother.
Meanwhile, a handsome-but-broke Prince Naveen comes to town searching for a princess, but he is sidetracked by a voodoo witch doctor and transformed into a frog.
Tiana meets Naveen as frog in a party. Naveen urges Tiana to kiss him to turn him back to human form. But when she kisses him, even she is transformed into a frog.
As they both try to work their way to become humans, they gradually fall in love with each other.
The movie delivers likable characters, sweet predictable plot intertwined with lively songs and dances. Overall, a happy ending.
A role model for young girls
The movie will not expose the viewers to the darker side of Southern race relations circa 1920.
In fact, the movie will surely give the young girls a role model like Tiana. She is initially seen as struggling financially, but this makes her independent, focused, intelligent and resourceful.
Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, national president of the public service sorority, was quoted by The Register Herald as saying, “As mothers, caregivers, mentors and educators, we are excited that ‘The Princess and the Frog’ will provide the children in our lives with an opportunity to laugh and learn with a new Disney classic.” (MAMOSA)
