The Princess and the Frog

I am not at all ashamed to admit my profound love of cartoons, movies geared toward school-aged children, and most animated films. I am fully entertained by Spongebob and all other residents of Bikini Bottom. I sing along to musicals about little orphan girls and newspaper boys. and I find myself drawn to Disney movies that include Princesses, Fairy Godmothers, and of course (*sigh*) Prince Charmings. So it is no surprise that I am truly excited about the upcoming release of the new Disney animated film, 'The Princess and the Frog." However, this Disney debut has some very unique (and long overdue) characteristics that make the occasion even more momentous to me.

Disney is finally releasing a film featuring an African American Princess and I am ecstatic about it. As a mother of a seven year old daughter I am well aware of how sensitive young girls are about their own self-image. I have painfully witnessed my daughter doubt her own beauty simply because of her darker complexion.

The way in which children develop an understanding of self-image is amazing. Children form their ideas of beauty based on what they see on movies and in television. They also base their ideas of beauty on they don't see. In child media, children of color are generally underrepresented. In fact, there are very few Disney characters that look like us. Until now, the only ethnic Princess offered by Disney has been Princess Jasmine from Aladdin. I admit, I do love that movie, but Jasmine's big oval eyes, caramel colored skin, and long hair have a certain ambiguity that could represent a wide variety of different races and ethnic groups.

My enthusiasm for The Princess and the Frog lies in the introduction of a princess that looks like my daughter. As a mother, it is important to me that my daughter is able to identify the "princesses" in herself. Thus far, our daughters have been shown that only girls who look like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty are worthy enough to be dubbed "Princess". This lack of diversity leaves so many children unrepresented. Every little girl should have the opportunity to find inspiration in a Disney Princess that resembles them.

My daughter is really excited to see The Princess and the Frog and while I am sure that she would be just as excited to see an Asian, Native American, or Eskimo princess, I'm glad it's her turn to be represented. I'm glad that we are being clearly represented (although permed and primped, but hey, one step at a time people). The introduction of a Black Princess will show my daughter that beauty isn't something found only in fair or lightly colored skin. She will see that her skin color is both beautiful and special, just like every other little girl that has been lucky enough to see a bit of themselves on the silver screen.

The Princess and The Frog opens in theaters on December 11, 2009. I say what better way to celebrate then by taking our daughters, nieces, younger sisters, and God daughters out to support this film. Let's make this Disney Princess bigger and better than the ones before.

This has been quite a year...first a Black President and now a Black Princess!

Don't you mind being the comic relief all the time?

A few months ago someone asked me "Don't you mind being the comic relief all the time?". At that point I didn't even think twice about the question. In between knee slapping and snorts I said "No" while continuing with my comical tirade.

It wasn't til most recently, when an older friend of mine, passed away suddenly due to a heart attack that I was forced to revisit that question. Though most people were dealing with the abrupt passing of our colleague with tears and more common ways of mourning, I found myself asking my friend if it was to soon to make jokes. (To which she answered "Yes Tiffani" very frankly). I know many of you are probably shaking your heads at me right now ready to press the "x" button at the top of this window, in disbelief of my disrespect for the dead, but before you do allow me to explain.

I am light hearted by nature. I don't do well in tenebrious type situations at all. Delicate scenarios that involve a lot of crying, hand holding, and hugging, are not usual scenarios I do very well in. In fact to be blunt funerals, wakes, divorce, breakups, "I think I might be pregnant"(s), "My father is cheating on my mother", "I got fired" are most all of the situations I might not be the most reliable source in. I honestly feel there is a very FUNNY silver lining to everything. I believe that I'm here on this earth to cut through the tension. I'm supposed to be the one that points out that 800lb gorilla standing in the corner.

So I ask myself the initial question again. "Don't you mind being the comic relief all the time?" and to this I still answer "No, why should I. I don't like seeing people cry unless they are happy tears, and I rather be the reason for the happy tears then being the one to prolong the sad ones."

Aint It Da Truth...

I hate slang!! I am particularly careful when I speak, as to not sound like everyone else. Even when I text I use perfect English. No short cuts. No using numbers for words. I spell everything out trying my hardest not to conform. However, it is hilarious to me that the minute one of my knuckle head children does something to irritate me, the "Brook Lynn" in me rears her ugly, and might I add, ghetto head. Case in point: Today my 7 year old daughter (let's call her "M" so when I'm old and gray she doesn't put me in a home for putting her business in the streets) rolled her neck at me. I couldn't even tell you what we were talking about because I blacked out. All I remember are these words. "Who is you talkin' to. Imma give you 2 seconds to undastan dat I will reach round dis' chair n slap da black off ya." Go ahead and judge me if you want, but I know every parent, no matter how educated, has had one of these moments. Now ain't that da truth?

Allow me to reintroduce myself...

Eager to discuss the dreadful but still humorous details of my evening last night, I neglected to introduce myself to those I hope to entertain. So.... allow me to reintroduce myself...My Name is Tiffani (did you guys sing the Jay Z Song in your head as you read that cause I definitely sang it as I typed it). However, at any given time you might 'read' me refer to myself as one of my many alter ego's: Tiff (my bestest friends call me that), T.I. (when I'm getting my Rihanna on), T.Diddy (that's my karaoke stage name), Mom(yeah I have kids), and *embarrassed*.... "Yo" (given to me by my loving, affectionate and romantic husband). Feel free to call me any of those with the exception of the last, just for the simple fact that it's so darn special.

Now, briefly, here are a few facts about me that you may want to know. I like to eat most anything that isn't still moving on my plate. I love to watch movies. My favorite genre? I would have to say action and romantic comedies, and if I'm lucky enough to find a movie that combines both I might skip buying the bootleg and go to an actual theater. I love being creative. My sister tells me that all my hobbies are expensive ones. I find this to be an absolute ludicrous statement considering how cheap...I mean frugal I am. Anyway a list of those hobbies, expensive or not, would be: photography, scrapbooking, anything Photoshop, makeup, and sleeping. I am the middle of three girls by the way, and you haven't witnessed Middle Child Syndrome like the kind I will be unleashing upon you.

Most everything else that's interesting to me, and about me, I expect you will be finding out as and if you choose to continue reading my blogs. I hope to entertain you with my life stories, and anomalistic way of thinking. So sit back, relax and laugh, and just try not to let whatever your drinking come through your nose.

So today was a very eventful day. My parents house was broken into and ransacked. Though most people would be terribly frightened, depressed, or saddened, I, your resident comic relief was armed and ready with my usual wit. I could not help but go on about how dumb the thieves were leaving behind all the "good stuff". Although those morons did get away with two laptops, some jewelry, and a few hundred dollars of loose change my parents had been collecting, the clueless culprits left behind plenty of goods that could have been used to fund, I'm sure, some drug habit. Big screen TV's, crystal vases, speakers, printers, extra sets of car keys, and checkbooks were all left behind wondering themselves why they were overlooked Underwear draws were turned upside down, I'm positive, by the idiot henchmen (you know there is always a pinky and brain type character in these types of scenarios) probably looking for lacey thongs, or crotchless women's wear to wear under his clothes or on top of his head. And while my mother interviewed the neighbors and my father talked with the detectives, I entertained my two sisters. I wondered out loud what would have happened if my parents returned home early for a "nooner" (sick to think about but still funny)? Would the thieves freeze and pretend to be one with the couch? I couldn't help but think...out loud..."Did those bastards make themselves a plate while they were here? They could have touched our fried chicken, watched our cable." I thought. I did at one point become saddened by the fact that they did stumble across and steal my dad's shotgun, but that thought was qickly followed by "Those fools will be on the 10 o'clock news tonight for accidentally shooting each others heads off while trying to pose for a suvounair photo. LOL...now that would be a Karmic ass whoopin at it's best.