It seems that in 2009, Disney will release another movie — The Frog Princess — and for the first time, will feature a black princess (my emphasis):
Once upon a time, nearly all fairytale movie princesses had three things in common: a tiara, a sparkly cap-sleeve dress and porcelain white skin. In recent years, the Walt Disney Co., the studio that brought Snow White and Cinderella to life, has presented a more diverse array of animated leading ladies. And this week they announced one more: Princess Maddy, the studio’s first black princess, is expected to make her debut in a 2009 hand-drawn animated feature called “The Frog Princess.”
What do you think about Disney’s newest princess? Is it important for princess-loving little girls to have icons who look like them?
That last question may not win the Dumb Question of the Day Award, but it’s real close.
At the 3 min., 53 sec. mark, you’ll see why.
In truth, life is not a fairy tale, and princesses in Disney movies don’t look like any of us. But if beauty and self-esteem are more than skin deep, then every little girl needs to see herself as a princess — valued, treasured, and good.
She should see herself as she deserves to be seen, both in the mirror, and in the world around her.