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Original poster

Black Disney Princess

35 replies

twoboysmom · 08/09/2006 09:54

There was a discussion on another board about the lack of black princesses in the Disney world of toys, movies, and accessories. Moms of daugthers: do your girls notice this lack and does it have any affect on them that you can determine? Do you think Disney should remedy this glaring lack?

OP posts:
tissy · 09/09/2006 14:44

damn!

this

cooperflykiller · 09/09/2006 16:18

My ds2 recently brought that home for reading! It's nice.

MarsLady · 09/09/2006 16:25

Yes they do notice. Their friends notice and I've spent my time explaining to the girls that YES they can be princesses too, despite what their friends say!

JennyLee · 09/09/2006 16:30

yes pocahontas is a little bit tall I think lol and rare to see in shops

Sammy3 · 08/12/2006 13:16

I just noticed this thread. It's a subject dear to my heart recently. My 5 yo dd is heavily into princesses & fairies now and I'm really annoyed about Disney's lack of a black princess. (I'm black & dd is mixed btw) She loves the Disney princesses & I've noticed that she prefers girls with blond hair. I can tell from her choice of friends & when we're looking through magazines/books. Since we live in a town with only a handful of non-white people, I've always made sure she has lots of books with black people & black dolls, etc. But, I'm afraid her Disney princess phase is affecting her self-image. I just hope she grows out of it soon since Disney are in no hurry to make a movie about a black princess. Fortunately, most other children's entertainment companies aren't as backwards. Thank god for Barbie & Bratz (never thought I'd say that about Barbie since I dislike her image for reasons I'm sure you'd all agree with ) I recently found some princess books that are more multicultural, which I'm giving her for Christmas: I'm sure she'll love them. I'll have to read them to her for now, until she's able.

LuciaRose · 08/12/2006 14:22

Yes, why can't there be a black or Indian character, but in a Western setting? Why wouldn't a white European prince/princess fall in love with someone with darker skin?

I sometimes think that Shrek is about racism, but they make him green, because if he was black or brown, the story would be too controversial. But the theme is the same - ie. Princess Fiona's parents do not accept him, in part for his colour! I know he's a monster as well, but can you see my point?

To answer the person who said a Disney black princess would not look like the average black woman - the white princesses to not look like the average white woman!

speedySleighmamahohoho · 09/12/2006 14:54

I saw this version of Cinderella, here , on TV a couple of years ago and it was so enjoyable. It was a mixed race cast with Brandy playing Cinderella, some Oriental Guy playing Prince Charming, Whoopi Goldberg played his mother and a white guy his father. It was terrific! Oh, Whitney Houston played the Fairy Godmother!

I've seen it on Amazon if you want to buy it.

SparklingSarah · 04/08/2008 00:22

my daughter is 6 now and mixed race

I used to fret that she'd be too white orienated ( I'm white) and wonder why everyone else was white and not her nor understand her own roots

I bought her an "ethnic" chou chou
she likes her and plays with her and she has a white annabel she likes hera nd plays with her as well
she loves Cinderella because of her gowns
I let her choose what she enjoys

I do wish that girls things weren't so white skin blinde hair blue eyes
Tesco have a nice range of girl items in multi colours

but I think we press too hard sometimes kids really don't notice ti; they are a bit older and by then well I have certainly just answered her honestly that people are all different I'm white with blonde hair her dad is dark brown with black hair
her brother is white with brown hair we're still great human beings !!

Halzer · 04/08/2008 00:53

My daughter thinks that Jasmine is 'like her' as when she watched the Aladdin cartoon it had a muslim/arabian theme and my daughter even compared some of the clothing to her own 'traditional' clothes. I have to disagree with the person who said that Jasmine is 'white looking' She has black hair, dark eyes and light caramel skin, and thats how we look.

savoycabbage · 04/08/2008 18:09

I am sure I read last year that Disney are making 'The Frog Princess' with a black princess. My dh was going mad as she is not very nice in the traditional story.

But surely she is going to be as nice as all of the others?

I agree that it does make a difference.

My dd's favourite book is this Cinderella

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