Dear, God...
This is why I sometimes clash with some fellow members of the Black American community:
In regards to The Princess and the Frog from Wikipedia:
In March 2009, once more information of the film's casting was released, the African-American community had contention with the fact that the Prince isn’t black.[23] Prince Naveen comes from a fictional land named Maldonia, and is voiced by Brazilian actor Bruno Campos. Angela Bronner Helm from Black Voices, a website that focuses on African-American culture, wrote in a March article:
“ ...Disney obviously doesn't think a black man is worthy of the title of prince. I guess Sasha and Malia and all the other little black girls out there should just shut up and be thankful to have something! Little black boys will have to wait another 20 years.[29] ” William Blackburn, former columnist at The Charlotte Observer, voiced his criticism of another matter. He stated that the "story is set in New Orleans, the setting of one of the most devastating tragedies to beset a black community" and felt the choice of this setting was "insensitive.
Okay, for one thing, New Orleans has always had one of the most ethnically diverse, racially mixed populations in the country. (Anne Rice's The Feast of All Saints, anyone?) Why shouldn't Tiana intermarry with a latino man? I was thrilled when I learned that there would be a depiction of interracial marriage. Two birds with one stone. Props for Disney!
And as for the second comment, "one of the most devastating tragedies to best a black community?"
Are we referring to Hurricane Katrina? So we should forget that this beautiful culture ever existed and do nothing to promote worldwide appreciation and interest to this once thriving city? We wouldn't want to promote anything like tourism or economic growth, now would we?
In regards to The Princess and the Frog from Wikipedia:
In March 2009, once more information of the film's casting was released, the African-American community had contention with the fact that the Prince isn’t black.[23] Prince Naveen comes from a fictional land named Maldonia, and is voiced by Brazilian actor Bruno Campos. Angela Bronner Helm from Black Voices, a website that focuses on African-American culture, wrote in a March article:
“ ...Disney obviously doesn't think a black man is worthy of the title of prince. I guess Sasha and Malia and all the other little black girls out there should just shut up and be thankful to have something! Little black boys will have to wait another 20 years.[29] ” William Blackburn, former columnist at The Charlotte Observer, voiced his criticism of another matter. He stated that the "story is set in New Orleans, the setting of one of the most devastating tragedies to beset a black community" and felt the choice of this setting was "insensitive.
Okay, for one thing, New Orleans has always had one of the most ethnically diverse, racially mixed populations in the country. (Anne Rice's The Feast of All Saints, anyone?) Why shouldn't Tiana intermarry with a latino man? I was thrilled when I learned that there would be a depiction of interracial marriage. Two birds with one stone. Props for Disney!
And as for the second comment, "one of the most devastating tragedies to best a black community?"
Are we referring to Hurricane Katrina? So we should forget that this beautiful culture ever existed and do nothing to promote worldwide appreciation and interest to this once thriving city? We wouldn't want to promote anything like tourism or economic growth, now would we?