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."