DtotheJ wrote: THE media often informs popular culture....'disneyfied' simplistic portrayals of fiction can often become the bench mark for naive and aspiring children, or even reinforce negative, and or positive stereotypes.....disney has a world wide reach that independant and responsible companies don't.

BOT...Update...

Disney responds to controversy over Frog Princess storyline

A rep for Disney has reportedly released a statement clearing up some rumors about the studio’s upcoming animated feature, “The Princess and the Frog,� formerly known as “The Frog Princess.�

As previously reported, the 2009 release is to be Disney’s first fairytale featuring an African American princess. Although no contracts have been signed, “Dreamgirls� star Anika Noni Rose is rumored to have beaten out Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Tyra Banks to voice the lead character of 19-year-old Maddy/Princess Tiana in the film, which is set in the French Quarter of New Orleans during the 1920s.

A character list describing Maddy as a “chambermaid� suddenly appeared on Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that requires the public to fill in the pages. The site already got in trouble after someone added a false post stating that comedian Sinbad had died. With that in mind, Wikipedia’s "Frog Princess" posting lists the following characters:

“Maddy, a 19-year-old chambermaid; Charlotte La Bouff, an 18-year-old spoiled, southern Debutante and Diva; Dr. Duvalier, an African American Voodoo magician/fortune teller and villain of the movie; Mama Odie, an elderly, 200-year-old Voodoo priestess/fairy godmother; Ray, a lovesick Cajun firefly; Louis, a Jazz singer alligator; Prince Harry, a gregarious, fun-loving European Prince; Lawrence, Prince Harry's pompous valet; Big Daddy La Bouff, a wealthy, Southern plantation landowner and father of Charlotte La Bouff; Eudora, Maddy's mother and Charlotte's ex-nursemaid; George, the La Bouff family cook; and Little Arila, Maddy's sister.�

One angry reader of industry Web site A-List took issue with some of the character list described by Disney.

“What the hell? Disney's first black fairytale and the lead is a black chambermaid who runs way with a white prince?!� wrote filmmaker/designer Shirley Bruno. “There's a villainous Voodoo priest!"

Bruno also pointed out that the villain, Dr. Duvalier, could be a reference to Haitian dictators Francois “Papa Doc� Duvalier and his son, Jean-Claude “Baby Doc� Duvalier.

After contacting Disney about the character breakdown on Wikipedia, the A-List says it received the following response from studio spokesperson Heidi Trotta:

"While it is a Studio policy that we do not comment on our animated films while they are in the early stages of production due to the nature of our evolving development process, it has come to our attention that there is incorrect information being circulated about Disney’s 2009 motion picture ‘The Princess and the Frog’ (whose previous working title was ‘The Frog Princess’).

“The central character is a young girl named Princess Tiana. The story takes place in the charming elegance and grandeur of New Orleans’ fabled French Quarter during the Jazz Age. She is the newest addition to the Studio’s royal family of ‘Disney Princesses.’ Princess Tiana will be a heroine in the great tradition of Disney’s rich animated fairy tale legacy, and all other characters and aspects of the story will be treated with the greatest respect and sensitivity.

“This American fairy tale is several years away from completion and the creative process is ongoing. No other details regarding the film have been released at this point, and unfortunately much of the information that has surfaced, including the casting breakdown...is inaccurate. When we do casting calls we frequently use substitute information as we don't want details out about the movies. Therefore that information you have is incorrect

Noooooooooooooooo!blkcry



im just digusted with this. "the frog princess". but All I can do is pray that it never comes out or nody goes to see it. Africa has alot of history. Why it couldnt be an african princess?confused3

Afriki wrote: [line]

Thank you. Geez, people will find anything to complain about. Why isn't she African, why is it about jazz, blah, blah. Some people are just never happy.

I absolutely agree. I think Disney has certainly short-changed Blacks. All the other disney princesses of non-white descent have been placed in their own native countries. Despite the vast amount of Asian-Americans, Mulan's story took place in ancient China. This also goes the same for Jasmine and Pochohantas. Disney has even depicted TheAztec culture of South Americain the Emperor's New Groove. However Blacks as a whole have been severely overlooked.

Every day Black children are bombarded with European accomplishments, not to mention the accomplishments of other races as a whole. Allworldhistory is taught to them, except ofcourse, their own.I often wondered growing up, "Were my people anything but just slaves?" And whenI grew older and began looking into my own culture, I realized there is very much for me to be proud of as an African American woman because I came from a strong, beautiful country. And the fact that Disney can honestly say there are no African-American fairytales or black fairytales is not only untrue, but absurd. Africa is a story-rich nation with fairytales centuries old. They should be overwhelmedwith stories, not struggling to find one to tell.Or perhaps they just don't have any storiesDisney is willing to tell. Is it really sodifficult to create a story aboutabeautifulAfrican princess? I mean it is so very importantthatchildren of all races, especially black children, seethe African continentin a newlight.I think such a story would be beneficial to all Black people because it isour country of orgin. Disney has been offered a storyline for an African princess from South Africa, who is rich and wise.HoweverDisneywasnot interested in this idea.And the fact they would turn down such a concept for this mediocore story isseverly disappointing.

I am a 22 year old black woman in collegeand last year for the first time I went to Disney. I thought it was amazing and I have never had so much fun. But when it came to time to visit the Around The World section of Disney world, I began to realize something. They had Italy, France, Spain, Morraco, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Mexico, and almost every culture you can think of. But Africa was missing and it stuck out to me like a sore thumb. And it is not because Africa isn't a rich nation of the ancient world (there are aritifacts and ruins to support that), it is just not represented that way in mainstream America. And it's an complete travesty and does the black community a large disservice. As a whole I think Disney has alot to remedy and when they make this film, I hopethey make it correctly. Maybe this film will actually overshadow Disney's short-comings and Princess Tiana (they renamed her) will be the kind of princess little black girls can relate to.

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There's a major problem with your augurment: AFRICA IS *NOT* A COUNTRY, IT IS A CONTINENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disney trying to sell a story about an "African" girl would be like them trying to sell a story about a "European" girl, or "South American girl" or a "North American Girl" or even an "Asian girl". In all the other stories the girls have a COUNTRY of orgin and from that country a CULTURE! How exactly are they suppose to tell a story about the culture of the ENTIRE African continent with one girl?

You also criticize Disney for not using the South African girl storyline. I dare not ask how SOUTH AFRICA is culturally more relevant to Afro-American people than New Orleans is. Truly that question would sound really stupid. I suppose there are people who want the sequel to the movie to be placed in EGYPT too.

I believe this movie is actually a small step in a POSITIVE direction. And you are right, more stories should be taught to AA children besides SLAVE ones. However my only complaint is that the REAL history and culture that these movies are promoting be actual practices of AA people not simply stuff they used /borrowed from OTHER CULTURES to fill a 90 minute movie.

I heard they changed alot about this movie thus far due to complaints *Thank God*. Although I still cant get over the concept of a princess in New Orelans, its just going to confuse people. Itd make more sense if they had some sort of fantasy made up land.