The Princess and the Frog: Controversy or Innocence?

Posted by Ashley Demma (ashley@filmschoolrejects.com) on August 15, 2008

The Princess and the Frog

This Christmas, Disney returns to its beloved 2D animation with a little fairy-tale entitled, The Princess and the Frog. A lot of buzz has been surrounding the main character’s ethnicity, because for the first time, this Disney princess… is black.

Princess Tiana (voiced by Ankia Noni Rose) lives in the French Quarter in beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana. While the plot is still vague at this point, the story has gotten several disapproving comments. As Charlotte Observer columnist William Blackburn explains:

“This princess’ story is set in New Orleans, the setting of one of the most devastating tragedies to beset a black community. And then they throw in the voodoo theme [the fairy-godmother character is a voodoo priestess] and an alligator sidekick. When you put New Orleans, alligators and voodoo together, there’s no beauty there.”

Controversy surrounding the movie include issues with the original title (The Frog Princess-insinuating black women are ugly perhaps?), the Princess’ original name (Maddy-not ‘ethnic’ enough perhaps?), as well as the setting of New Orleans-a region where the lives of many black families (and white families) were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Additional complaints include: the use of voodoo magic and an alligator sidekick, making the film seem somewhat (if unintentionally) racist and pointed.

The Princess and the Frog

But let’s be honest here. It’s an animated movie, people. It is not a social cry or a political statement. It’s about a princess and her talking animal friends. Sounds like every other movie Disney has ever spit out. Still thinking The Princess and the Frog is racial? Well, consider the following racial assumptions made in other Disney animated features over the years:

In Aladdin, Princess Jasmine has an Anglocized name that doesn’t originate from Saudi Arabia.
In Mulan, the title character has a pet dragon, which could be offensive to the Chinese people.
Magic or the occult is used in several (almost all) films including: The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Sword and the Stone, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty…So why is voodoo considered a taboo for The Frog Princess? If it’s a complaint about religious practices, it might be valid.

Regardless of social issues with the film, it’s nice to see Disney go back to basics on their latest endeavor. Best yet: this marks the first Disney musical since Hercules! I can’t wait to see inanimate objects and animals singing about love and magic. For some beautifully drawn artwork from the film, check out these stills:

Do you think The Princess and the Frog will make racist statements? Is Disney right in changing the original title and character name to better please black audiences?

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Supernetuser

Once again, the public has gotten uptight over little things.

Rachel

I agreed with you somewhat there, but you have to look at it from their point of view. People are critiquing this movie mostly because it is the first sign of victory of a long awaited battle and they just want it to be perfect. And Disney has been known to have very racist undertones in their cartoons, and whether people agreed with it or not cartoons show just as much social and political statement as any other media.

Taiya

I think people need to calm down. Seriously dudes chill. Disney has made some pretty bad screw ups but I dont think they will sink their battleship on purpose. Disney has learned from past mistakes and I think this is a steep towards that. As for crocidile sidekick, i think that would be neat. Nice change from the demented crocks from rescuers. that = X_X

BlackPrincessMelis

Oh, people are too uptight for fucksakes. It's about time Disney had a black princess. Do they have to complain about everything! JFC!

PRican

I think that the concerns named at good concerns given that this is new territory for Disney and while I loved Aladdin and enjoyed Pocahontas...well those movies had a few ethnic issues. So I wouldn't call all critics "uptight".

I think changing the name from Maddie (The complaints I read noted that Maddie sounds a bit too similar to "Mammy"...and oh do we hate that stereotype) to Tiana is a good change. Tiana not only sounds more "ethnic" but also more regal and calls the image of a tiara, perfect for a princess.

I did not have a problem with title "The Frog Princess". I think that they were REALLY reaching for something to dislike with this gripe. But I do like the change of title though.

I doubt that any intentional racist statements will be made in the film. But there will be criticism, as seen with Aladdin. But overall, despite my slight apprehension, this is promising and damn it...these stills are GORGEOUS!

So good luck to Disney!

Windstorm

The Princess and the Frog will be a wonderful movie no matter what anyone says. And I think that Princess Tiana is simpbly gorgeous! I can't wait for the film's release in Christmas of 2009!

Dlawso

I think that whatever Disney Studios or anyone else creates will always be roughly judged by people who don't really understand the time and effort it takes to complete such a masterpiece. I think people have the instinct to automatically "hate" or "defend themselves" over something new, or worse, pretend that they know what they are talking about. The only ones who can truly appreciate a piece for what it is are the ones who have gotten through a similar process, or understand what it takes to make it. The public is extremely harsh, maybe even impossible to please.

Shannon

I am African-American and truthfully...I can't wait! I'm 20 and my only complaint is that I wish that they would have come out with this moive when I was younger! As for the title, I think it is referencing the frog she has to kiss that eventually becomes her prince.

Vett

I am African-American female, who longed to see postive fairy tale type images of an African-American young lady. I must say however, I was IMMEDIATELY taken aback by the title The FROG PRINCESS. Ok, just think of the titles, CINDERELLA, Sleeping BEAUTY, POCAHONTAS, ALLADIN, all sound fantastical, fun and light. (And who did "the Princess and the Pea? Was it Disney) Anyway, she wasn't called THE PEA PRINCESS. Uggh. The title THE FROG PRINCESS just didn't sound in any way beautiul, fun, glamorous soft or light. It sounds hard. Like dang. And then, of all the beautiful names in the culture - uh, MADDIE?? Dang. Kudos to Disney for listening. I've always enjoyed Disney movies and expect that I will continue to do so. Please everyone, don't be so quick to assume how others SHOULD feel. Unless you've walked in their shoes...

Valerie

I've seen the trailer to this movie and I'm not offended (I'm an African-American female). I can't wait to see it. I've always loved the Disney animated movies since I was a kid. I watch them for pure entertainment. People can be sure of this...there will always be criticism.

The Princess and the Frog: Controversy or Innocence?

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