Other than Fat Albert, can you name any other Black cartoon character? When you think of cartoon animation, Disney Productions is thought of as the world's best in overall quality. When my kids were little I'd rent Disney DVD's as a form of good, somewhat educational entertainment. But Disney has never had a Black leading character until now.
I call this another positive example of the Obama effect, waking corporations up to the need for diversity in their product appeal and finally coming to terms with the fact that most of the world is comprised of people of color. But when you fail to have Black people and other minorities involved in the creative process, sometimes this attempt at cross over appeal can back fire, especially when those bias tendencies and preferences remain in place.
Disney in a fix for mixing it up in black princess tale
Disney probably thought it would be applauded for starring its first black princess in its latest fairy tale.
But its choice of supporting hero has created quite a stir on the internet - her dashing man is white.
Prince Naveen of Maldonia, voiced by Brazilian actor Bruno Campos, is meant to be of Middle Eastern heritage but bloggers say he simply looks white.
Disney has missed a chance to give a black couple the happily ever after treatment in upcoming film The Princess And The Frog, said others.
'It's saying that black love isn't good enough and that black men could never be princes,' said one woman. 'Disney had the perfect chance to make its first black prince but instead it decided to go the controversial route.'
Some complained the evil voodoo villain - who turns the prince into a frog - is black and voiced by a black actor.
Disney defended its choice, saying it wanted a multi-cultural cast featuring a 'prince from a far-away land'. It added: 'Many high-profile leaders from the African American community have applauded our efforts on this film.'
The film also became embroiled in a race row in July after it emerged Disney had wanted the heroine to be a chambermaid working for a spoilt white débutante in 1920s New Orleans.
It sparked a backlash from critics who felt it reinforced prejudice and demeaned black people.
The Princess and the Frog is due out in cinemas in February next year.
Watch the teaser trailer below:
Is Disney insensitive by not pairing a Black Cinderella with a Black Prince or is this another example of Black people over reacting? How do you think people would react if it had been a white Cinderella with a black prince? What do you think?
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