Disney's first black princess

Is it a problem that little girls want to meet a prince, or is it a problem that there just aren't enough princes out there? Me thinks there's nothing wrong with meeting the dude of your dreams... and on the other side, meeting the your kind of chica ain't bad either.

Besides that, Disney's racial diversity really started way back with Song of the South where Uncle Remis is presented as a grandfatherly figure to both dark and light colored children who listen to his wise stories.

It's about time!

CNN – do your research. Disney came out with a "black princess" in 1997 with Roger's and Hammerstein's "Cinderella." Cinderella is played by Brandy (sp?), the prince is Paolo Montalban, the Queen Mother is Whoppi Goldberg, the fairy godmother is Whitney Houston. It is an absolutely beautiful production, multi-racial and, in fact, the first Disney I let my kids watch because it represented so much racial diversity as a NORM, not something that stood out by itself.

I can't believe Justin's comment. "Song of the South" was incredibly racist! Hello...the tar baby? Remember?

I'm still waiting for Song of the South to come out on DVD (or even VHS). I remember watching that movie maybe twice as a child before it was wiped from the face of the earth, presumably for being 'racist.' (I don't recall the crows from Dumbo being excised like Remus was!). I just laugh at Disney world at the little kids who ride the Song of the South water ride and have no idea who the characters are!

It's great that Disney has finally decided to make a black main character, although, like was lampooned on the Daily Show when the announcement was first made, it has only come after every other race (and even animals) have been exhausted. Plus: a princess? really? Haven't we moved beyond that yet?

You forgot princess Jasmine from Aladdin.

Congrats to Disney. There will be some who critisize, but in the end it was a good thing that Disney honored "All" races and nationalities. God Bless The the Wonderful world of Disney. My Daughter will be excited for this movie.

I am tired of companies like Disney/Barbie (Mattel?) getting credit after dragging their heels for so many years. People see through the lies, the history rewriting. What about more minorities on TV? Why is THAT taking so long? Still-it is nice to FINALLY see cartoons with positive images of African-Americans.

I am excited about an African American Princess! I hope that the media does not make too big of a deal about her being African American, because then we are saying "WOW, something different that American are not used to". Just let it be and enjoy it.

I'm so happy about this. I'm glad that my girls will have a doll that looks like them. Hoorayyyyyyyyyy

The cut line on the video says "CNN's Alina Cho reports on the first black princess to appear in a Disney animated film."

Animated films being the key words.

Cool, i think it's great! (I'm caucasion)
Can't wait to see her in person!

In Response to Robin Smith – " CNN – do your research. Disney came out with a “black princess” in 1997 with Roger’s and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”

Robin, while Disney put together a production of CInderella, it was by no means created by them. Yes, it was great to a have such a diverse cast, however you said it yourself, it was , "Roger's & Hammerstein's 'Cinderella'. " Disney re-created someone else's genius.

I think it's great that Disney is creating it's own story about a black heroine. It's about time!

The article is refering to the first black princess in a Disney animated film, and not a feature film with live actors.

Robin, please read that they were talking about animated black princess. Brandy was not portrayed as animated.

This is a great thing. Its about time.

Who cares if we are all the same then why the big deal

It is about time!- we've had the classic Cinderalla, Snow White, Belle, Ariel- we've even had Jasmine and Mulan

It's 2009 and we finally get an African-American princess

I am African-American as is my daughter and she loves princesses. I have no problem telling my child that all races are beautiful, so we do have white princess dolls at home- however, it is frustrating that the only images she sees of princesses do not look like her. My daughter is only 4, so I've just recently had to do the doll shopping thing, and that's when I realized there are no black princesses.

So, finally, cheers to disney. We have 6 princess dolls at home- Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Jasmine and Rapunzel- and I look forward, with great pleasure, to adding to that collection and providing my little princess, with Princess Tiana

"Cinderella is played by Brandy (sp?), the prince is Paolo Montalban, the Queen Mother is Whoppi Goldberg, the fairy godmother is Whitney Houston. It is an absolutely beautiful production, multi-racial and, in fact, the first Disney I let my kids watch because it represented so much racial diversity"

I'm confused...princess is black, godmother is black, queen mother is black...where is the diversity? There's nothing wrong with an all black cast, but it's not diversity, diversity means there are several DIFFERENT races involved. Imagine if a caucasian person would only watch a BET show if it had an all white cast, what would the reaction be then?

This is great, just what my Granddaughter has been asking for!!!

Thanks

Good Morning Alina:

Good story. Disney is the best.

Please say hi to Kiran for me.

Fred

i agree with robin – CNN do your research – Pocahontas was not the first – Jasmine, from the Disney movie Aladdin, showed up three years earlier and is still very popular at the parks and with merchandise

First Black Princess is great! Now hows about Disney come out with the first Disney Princess with a NORMAL body! I mean really the playboy-bunny type body that all of the Disney Princess's sport is ridiculous! Im not saying that she should be fat. Just NORMAL!

Actually Disney has been showing diversity for years now. We've had Jasmine. We've had Mulan. We've had Brandy's version of Cinderelle.

We've also had Aladdin as the main character (prince instead of princess).

Diversity is not just about Black. It's about ALL Races and ALL Genders.

Why does it gotta be the black princess to kiss the frog. Why can't the black one be snow white. With an evil white stepmother, huh. Why does the black one have do something grimy and kiss a frog. Why couldn't she kiss a beautiful white dove?

I'm just playing I think it's great that disney has a black princess, long over due. My daughter kept holding to Jasmin as the only ethnic princess to hold onto.

Don't forget Pocahontas too!

Ps. Sorry, misspelled Cinderella.....

Yeah what about Jasmine? She was before Pocahontas and Mulan. Come to think of it; I can't even remember the last time a Disney Princess was WHITE! Although I may be wrong, I haven't exactly been keeping track of this but it seems like Disney's been pretty diverse for the past 15-20 years.

Amen!
Cant wait til it comes out on dvd

.......... so when are the Latinos and Asians gonna get their chance? lol

May I add that even though Pocahontas and Mulan both appeared before the newest Princess Tiana; it was the Arabian Disney Princess Jasmine to make the first appearance in 1992 as a princess of ethnicity other than white. So though I feel the addition of more diversity to the "assortment" of Disney princesses is encouraging, it should be noted that diversity has already been introduced into Disney- in in some manners it is interesting that as a society people didn't make that large of a deal about the other princesses. Additionally, if Disney really want to make a statement than why don't they make a prince of a different race... I mean men are to this day still considered superior in ways, thus changing his role seems much more significant than that of a women (which if you ask me is very unfortunate- but a completely different topic).

I'm happy to see the diversity. My grandparents immigrated here from Italy, and am happy to see every American represented in may of today's entertainment.

However, I hate that this is considered news.

I also despise the whole "Princess finding her prince" theme. Women are more defined than the man they end up marrying!

I guess I never really noticed that there wasn't a black princess. Disney has had other-racial princesses for years, but I don't remember a big deal being made about that. Either way, it will be nice to see a new face amongst the princess greats- I'll be sure to get my daughter some merchandise.

About time. We've had white, Indian, and asian as far as I can tell. You're going to make millions of little girls happy, and proud.

I think this is a horrible move by Disney, not because the princess is black, but because she displays the unattainable ideal of thinness present in all other Disney princess'. Now Disney can socialize all children to believe that this type of body is the only acceptable type. Way to go Disney, keep on screwing up our children.

I remember the tar baby. It was a baby... made out of tar for the purpose of catching Rabbit. When the tar baby wouldn't politely respond to Rabbit's 'How do you do?' (because he wasnt real and just a tar-scarecrow of sorts) Rabbit got in a physical confrontation with it, thus getting his paws stuck in the tar. How exactly is that racist?

Im so tired of the negativity SotS gets for being racist when Uncle Remus was the wisest, most kind and level headed figure in that movie. The most substantial point you can make for it being racist is that it didnt show the social turmoil present in the reconstruction, but its a kids movie, do we really need that in there? I saw 1776 (the musical) and didnt get a whiff of the bloodshed that formed this country, but I didnt hear anyone complaining about that.

I'm glad that Disney is offering a diverse range of characters, but isnt it a bit racist to make it news every time they do? Racism means you are focusing on someones genetic attributes rather than their personality and that goes just as much for positive things as negative. How are we supposed to overcome racism if we wont stop talking about what color the new princess is?

Jules, for one thing "Tar Baby" as it is used in Song of the South is not racist. Br'er Fox created the tar baby to trap Br'er Rabbit. In fact "Tar Baby" was founded in African lore. So you pronouncing it as incredibly racist is ignorant and overly sensitive. Tar Baby is even defined as "something from which it is nearly impossible to extricate oneself." Plus don't forget the movie got James Baskett the first Oscar for someone of African descent. Onto Disney, I am truly dismayed by this article and the general norm of "First's." There shouldn't be a first black, white, tan, or other color for anything. Disney produces stories based on regional and folklore. Trying to claim Disney is some how racist or keeping the black man down is appalling. Most kids don't even see the color of the princess unless their parents who have an agenda say something. You want equality in movies, TV, games stop bringing up race every 10 minutes.

So did we get articles like this, saying "it's a great time to be Asian" when "Mulan" came out? What about "it's a great time to be Middle Eastern" when "Aladdin" arrived in theaters? Or how about Esmeralda, the virtuous Gypsy from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," who engaged in a mult-racial relationship with the Caucasian Phoebus? In "The Emperor's New Groove," we had a Peruvian male lead, and in "The Lion King," diversity took it a step further with a furry princess, Nala (later Queen).

I really don't care what color my Disney princess is, so long as Phil Collins isn't recording any of the tracks to accompany the movie ("Tarzan" and "Brother Bear" were abominations to the Disney canon). It's lovely that they're adding to the animated rainbow, but I agree with Robin Smith, Brandy starred as Cinderella, the quintessential Disney princess in 1997, with an Asian prince, who had a Hispanic father and African American mother!

In recent history, Disney has done much to further the causes of diversity, so yes, there's a black princess, but I think everyone should be more excited to see Disney return to its classic cartoon format. Pixar is a fabulous company with equally fabulous Disney-backed movies, but the art form of animation has been lost in recent years, and I, for one, cannot wait to catch myself singing whatever catchy tunes are born from "The Princess and the Frog."

i'm looking at the monary value can you imagine whent hey come with the black princess doll and you hold on to it for some years .......just think about it ..........mo'money mo'money.

So we are still waiting for a mexican princess then right? And she will be coming to us when?????

Ever since I was a little girl and fell in love with Disney I wondered why most of the "princesses" looked alike. I remember talking with my friends even in high school why there wasn't a black princess. I come from an upbringing of being taught that all people are people regardless of what they look like and should be treated with respect. I also come from an area where that isn't very widely accepted.

I am ecstatic to see that Disney has taken the initiative to create more diverse characters that young girls can relate too, not only relating to race but also portraying their "princesses" in stronger, more independent character roles.

Another small step towards making diversity and multiculturalism mainstream

I have always loved Disney movies, even though I haven't agreed on everything they've created over the years, but I must say It's about time!! It's a shame that it's taken them 72 years to create a black princess, but I'm so glad they've finally taken the initiative to do so. It's important for all young girls to have something, someone that looks like them that they can look up to, especially when movies and the media in general has so much influence over our children. This couldn't have come at a better time, having the first African American first lady, and it's about time that Black women are being portrayed in a positive light in the media.

Just to respond to Robin Smith, yes Disney did have the movie with Brandy as Cinderella, but she wasn't the first black Disney Princess. Brandy's character was based off of white Cinderella, they just wanted to add a different spin to the movie with Cinderella being black, the queen played by Whoopi Goldberg being black, the King being white and the prince being Asian. They were going for a multi-cultural version of the orginial movie.

A remake of Cinderella starring Brandy does NOT count as having a Black Disney Princess character... This is the fourth time i've read this story in two years, when are they going to release the movie???

What about Nala? She wasn't white, and if you want to get technical, she WAS African.....

I can't wait for my daughter to have a Native American princess to look up to! Our heritage is gone, completely, swept under the rug. Quite sad, everyone else is ENCOURAGED to hold on to their heritage in this country. I also can't wait for the first half Native American president!!!! Party store owner, a gift from the government, maybe??? The list goes on.. This little thing in America, the whole "This race has that", "We want this for our race", "We want public foot baths", blah, blah blah, is sick. I am still wondering why this story is even news worthy, the connotation of it, anyway. A "black" cartoon princess. WTF??? Is it really some kind of ground breaking mental "win" for black people?? Really? Please!

I think the race card is silly when it comes to "first black" this or that. they are black, brown, blue, yellow, pink, it's a person, get over it already.

I am a mother of a 4-year old daughter who just loves the princess thing. I am so happy that Disney has finally decided to create an African-American princess. It pains my heart when my child tells me that she can't be a real princess because she is not White. I have tried to explain to her that she can indeed be a princess and now I have the image to back up my words. I hope that each and every parent with a daughter rushes out and buys Princess Tiana for all of our beautiful daughters so they can see themselves and also that a princess doesn't just have to be white. It is about time!!!!!

To be honest who really cares. so there is finally a black princess, yay, big deal. How can people say that they are not racest when they make such a big deal about a black princess or a black president. Let ist be, seriously just get past the whole "african american" thing a let it just be AMERICAN. Isnt that the point anyway.

A black European-style princess is as authentic as a Chinese Jesus.

By all means, Disney should embrace black culture, but they shouldn't shoehorn into pre-exisiting models.

Mulan was not a princess. She was not born a princess and she did not marry a prince in the end. She ended up with a captain, who himself was the son of the General. So we have not had an Asian princess. If we are going to count all heroines as princessess than Esmeralda from Hunchback was a princess too and so was that chick from Hercules but you don't see their faces on any stuff.

Lo and behold, skin color DOES matter! How ironic that it's the "diversity supporters" who demonstrate that fact to us.

People of the African Diaspora come in a multitude of colors. This said, why shouldn't the Prince for the Princess be an "olive-skinned" man who is Afro American or from other region of the Diaspora. Afro Americans range in every color from very dark to very, VERY light–such is the diverse beauty within Afro America and the African Diaspora which includes 'BRAZIL."

Cannot help but be OFFENDED that many are saying that the Prince isn't Afro American or non African Diaspora simply because he is olive-skinned (i.e. light).

As someone who grew up in the South during the 60's (born in '56), who as a child went to an (unremarkably) integrated Catholic elementary school, whose "third grandmother" happened to be black...

I don't get it. People are people. Some (of all colors) act according to antiquated stereotypes; frankly, I think these people border on the sociopathic. Most people (of all colors) nowadays act like – and see others as – just other Americans.

Glad to see that Disney has another American princess (Pocahontas, of course, being the first); glad also to see that she's from my home town. But the color of her skin makes absolutely no difference to me. If it does to you – ask yourself why.

I thought the great cry was that "we are all the same" and color shouldn't matter. If so, then why does it matter what color the princess is? Its the story and message that should matter. I am not racist, but if some minority groups are so concerned about role models of their own race, why don't THEY create them? Why are they waiting for white-run studios like Disney to do it? How many black movie studios are out there cranking out the kids shows?????? Hopefully the girls watching these movies are smart enough to realize that a man is not going to come along and rescue them from all their problems, no matter what color any of them are! All my daughter grasped when she watched the Disney movies was that the girls were pretty and she liked the cosutmes and music; I don't think color was ever an issue.

when is Disney going to have a princes kiss a princess or a prince saved by a prince! Get with the times Disney!

I think I'll start calling myself a European American, then I can be socially diverse too. If you wer born in America, you're American. Once we drop the hyphenated BS that is "African-American", then we might defeat racism.

A waitress is a "more independent" character? Have they tried to live on a waitress' salary? How about a princess who is successful in corporate America but is still lonely and unlucky in love?

You know, when they make a gay or lesbian princess then I will be impressed, until then, its all just color. And as we are a melting pot nation, I jsut dont see how color matters.

The only people who seem to care about color, are the ones who want to keep it as an issue. If you removed our skin, we would all look similar, we all are humans. its time to stop crying about color, and racism, and start caring about PEOPLE and human rights.

Disney has had colored Princesses before, all diffrent shades of them. It shoudl be about the story, and not about the amount of dark or light on the skin that you notice.

[...] But I also want folks to give her a chance in the roles that she has coming up. Her next role, as Disney's first black Princess, Tiana, has been the source of controversy  for the initial story (she was a maid, now she is a [...]

Way to go Robin! I am an Italian-Slovak-American: where is my princess? I must be a racial minority too! ha, ha, ha. YES, WE ARE ALL AMERICANS FIRST. Let's get over the color issue! Who cares?

How long do we have to wait for the first princess Tiana out in search of another princess I wonder?

Wow! I too am happy that they finally have an African-American princess.

Now for Song of the South, I am so sick of people calling it racist, yet you people are the same ones that will watch the movie Roots and not think twice about the racisism in there. But a movie that shows Uncle Remus as wise and kind, and all kids adore him, you call racist. So they made a "baby" out of tar, big deal. They weren't calling it to a race of people. That's what the doll was made of. Should we stop calling dolls made from corn husks corn dolls? What if that is insalting to a race of people.

Haven't we moved passed this ridiculous nonsense of taking everything to mean one race or another?

It's wonderful that Disney is making princesses of all kinds. My daughter is a huge fan of the princesses. I wish they would come out with movies that focused on the princes' as my sons love to watch them too.

I thought the message in all these princess movies was that these were strong-spirited girls who had HOPE in spite of their circumstances. The characters color should be secondary to the storyline.

I think that this is really cool. And Anika Noni Rose is the person behind this role.

My question is if she is a princess why is she a waitress? Aren't all the other princesses real princesses or at least semi-wealthy (Belle). Talk about stereotyping why can't her job be a model or an executive or a movie star, why does she have to be poor or atleast they make it seem that way by making her a waitress.

I agree with Robin that we should drop the hyphenated BS. Besides not all people from the continent of Africa are black, what about Charlize Theoron (born in S. Africa) or people from Libya. When we delete the hyphen everyone is an Amerian (as long as you are a citizen).

So if the movie tanks, I wonder how fast the "racism" card will get thrown out.....

What about Princess Jasmine? She was one of the first non-caucasian princesses!!!

Firstly, regardless of color, the whole notion that little girls have to wish to be or look up to "princesses" represents a nearly unattainable social class.

I also agree with everyone who mentioned unattainable beauty or body image ideals.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, why do little girls have to be taught that they are not anyone until they find their Prince Charming? At the same time we are teaching them that they are worth more with the right man, we are again also enforcing that in order to increase your social class, you have to find a man to do it.

These are just movies, of course, but the messages are pretty loud and clear.

Am I the only one asking the question "What's wrong with having a black prince?". Multi-Racialism is good, but this pattern that hollywood has of devaluing black relationships is very disturbing. As if to say "romantic black relationships are not realistic". Not just in cartoons, but this has been the pattern for virtually all of the high-profile movies with black super-stars this century. This obvious pattern makes me wonder about the motives of those who drive pop culture.

I'm conflicted about whether I want my daughters to see the movie. I will have to watch it first. I will get them the doll though.

I'm in agreement with the positive comments here, especially as it concerns children. I think multiracial disney cartoons continue to be a powerful way to introduce children to diversity, especially since they view it so young and frequently (it takes my nieces and nephews dozens viewings before they tire.)

We LOVE to watch the Disney movies from different cultures. Mulan is one of my ultimate favorites. And I'm white...well actually part Native American, so I'm not speaking as a person who has been left out. I think it's about time that Disney touches on the African American community in an animated film. I've missed the animated films, the Pixar ones are great, but I really do miss seeing little girls acting out their favorite scenes and singing along to the songs.

To Jon who posted today around 11am...my mother tried to find the movie Song of the South for her brother. After 3 years she finally contacted Disney who told her that the movie would never be re-released. She has also tried to order the movie (Best Buy, Media Play, etc) but they do not have the movie in their inventory. She looks at yard sales for the movie but has never found a copy.

I can't comment on the racism of the movie b/c I've never seen it. No offense but that came out before my time!

I agree with Payton, who cares...I thought we were past judging people by the 'color' of their skin. How can we ever have hope of racism going away when an article like this that starts two pages of comments?

I cannot understand the glee for this. The frog prince is a european story being retold with a black "princess" and this is an amazing thing? The race of the princess is irrelavant. And why is this a princess that ALL girls can enjoy, but white princesses cannot be? You want you kids to see a great AFRICAN fairy tale? Watch Kirikou. http://www.kirikou.net/

If you can actually watch something that is not Disney, then you will certainly enjoy this. It is in French, but there are dubbed versions. It is an amazing fairy tale....sorry, no princesses. I hope that is OK.

Actually, Disney has long been known for its strong young female characters, of whatever color, particularly in the last 20 years. The stories of its young heroines, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan, all resonate with themes (and feature hit songs) of these young women yearning for much more out of life, so that they dare to turn their backs on tradition, family, and even the idea of settling for safe, comfortable (or even disagreeable) marriage, to get there. I never heard any rebuttal or backlash, but because of this, author Dan Brown, in "The Da Vinci Code ", actually cited Walt Disney as being a probable member of the "Priory of Sion", a group of goddess worshippers, believers of the "divine feminine".

When is Disney going to come out with a handicapped eskimo lesbian princess? It shouldn't matter people! We're not supposed to care about race and glorifying a black princess just reinforces to children to use skin color as a basis for judgment. I see dolls and cartoon characters of all races and nationalities. I have two children, and I honestly don't think they care one way or another about skin color. Its only when adults point it out do they start to take notice. Can we please stop pointing out skin color?

Please don't forget Esmeralda, the Roma princess from Hunchback of Notre Dame.

It's true that the black community overshadows all discrimination and ethnicity issues in this country. It's also true that slavery was about Africans and it's been a big deal for this country. You know... civil wars, constitutional amendments, an issue the founders overtly debated while writing founding documents...

We're way better at slavery now. We enlist "outsider" invisible illegal immigrant brown people. (I am saying that sort of sarcastically. I support treating all workers decently and fair wages. I just mean to say exploitation is still alive and well and a problem.)

Nicole
Boston, MA

Hello? What about "The Wiz"?

While Princess Jasmine is mentioned in this article, I can't believe CNN forgot to mention her on the reel they're running on TV all day today!

Young girls enjoy acting like princesses – whether or not we as adults approve of it, understand it, or encourage or discourage it. I'm so very glad that young black girls can now have a Disney princess to identify with, model, and look up to. I asked the girls in my 90% African-American 12th grade class today what Disney princess they identified with as young girls, and they all said Pocahontus. While it was nice that they enjoyed that connection (some have Native American ancestry), I'm excited about this new princess for today's young girls.

Jenni: Check out on IMDB: "The Adventures of Brer Rabbit" released in 2006. Its an animated movie with all black actors doing the voices, including Wayne Brady, Danny Glover, DL Hughley, Wanda Sykes. Dorian Harewood voices "Mr Man"- a white character? Interesting that these black Hollywood stars had no issues with the "racist" stories......

While I'm thrilled for all the little girls who will now have a princess who looks like them, I hardly feel like congratulating Disney for finally coming up with a princess with dark brown skin! Geez, they even had a green Princess Fiona before they addressed this glaring omission. I think that wishing Tiana were a model or movie star rather than a cashier is frought with racial and social complications – is she a cashier because of her skin color? Does she need a prince to share her rewarding life or because being a chef isn't good enough? Is it healthy and better for our girls to think there is a definite possibility of growing up to be a thin beautiful model/movie star/princess rather than attainable, important and intelligent roles in society no matter their appearance? And so the discourse continues.....

Jasmine and Aladin, as far as I could tell, seemd to be Arabic, which is an ethnicity that is generally considered as being "white," in the U.S. At least, according to most standardized tests and census data.

K, you're an idiot. Nala was a LION, that happened to live in Africa. That doesn't mean she was Black.

I'm giving Disney some props. I am 23 years old and i have been waiting for this all my life! Even as a child I would ask my mom why disney has yet to make a animated film with black characters. Yes i love the lion king but animals in africa hardly accounts for "black" characters. Its about time and im very excited. i will be taking my 11 year old neice to see this when it comes out.

Yes, but Disney won't release Song of the South in North America on DVD because they are afraid of racial backlash.

"Song of the South" was one of my favorites as a kid. It was not racist...just an entertaining musical (Most kids if you give them the chance will grow up open minded about race.) . If it was racist my mother would not have let me watch it. I know this because I was a white minority in a southern school and my mother fought for me when the parents of the black ( That was the acceptable term back then.) kids warned my mother that it was NOT ok for me to play with their kids because I was white. We as a country have become to easily offended. Lighten up.
As for Disney now having a black Princess....ever occur to anyone that the main color Disney sees is GREEN.

Did Dori say "colored" princesses?

"Disney has had colored Princesses before, all diffrent shades of them. It shoudl be about the story, and not about the amount of dark or light on the skin that you notice."

Dori, please go back and sit on your porch swing. Wave to your black neighbors and hope to God they don't ever realize you are just a tad bit ignorant. And remember to only watch Birth of a Nation at night with the shades pulled or they'll know for sure!

And Teri, who said:

"Now for Song of the South, I am so sick of people calling it racist, yet you people are the same ones that will watch the movie Roots and not think twice about the racisism in there. But a movie that shows Uncle Remus as wise and kind, and all kids adore him, you call racist. So they made a “baby” out of tar, big deal. They weren’t calling it to a race of people. That’s what the doll was made of. Should we stop calling dolls made from corn husks corn dolls? What if that is insalting to a race of people."

Teri, You cannot be that slow. In the mind, I mean. Yes, Song of the South is racist. And even though you might enjoy your old Al Jolson tunes, they are still racist. And the fact that you compared a tar baby to a corn husk doll when there is no known negative racial tie-in with a corn husk doll shows your continued ignorance.

I am sick of non-black people wanting black people to get over something that is still not quite over. You still think all black people are criminals, and too sensitive and loud. You are also the same people who say "I have a black friend". No, you really don't because if you did you wouldn't say such ignorant things.

Great that Disney has a black princess. Took long enough. All the black people that go to Disney World and Disney Land should have been an indicator that we are interested in fantasy as well.

I wish we were past judging people based on their skin color. But there are still a lot of indicators that prejudice exists.

Obama is president and I do know that he wouldn't be if not for the non-black people who voted for him. That at least gives me hope!

You all say thank god that disney is getting more diverse but their not they are moving slower than the rest of the world. When are they going to come up with a Hispanic princess or has the world forgotten about us

Will we soon have an autistic princess or how about a wheelchair bound princess from the far away land of Detroit, MI. I mean come on "kudos" to Disney, really they dont care about what they do in regards to race, just more people buying the Disney products.

Also can we just say Black Americans b/c how many people come from Arica now adays except Africans. I mean really African.... how many generations removed. It's like all the wanna' be Italians who were into the Soprano's. GIve it up Disney & everyone else. I want a white princess since that is "the new minority".

this is great..adding to the diversity of Disney princesses.

Someone explain to me though Disney's marketing tactics with the Princesses? Cuz Pocahontus stuff is un-findable and my kids favorite. They even met Irene Bedard who voiced her last summer at a Powow fesitval in Indiana.

And my daughters who are part native american, part british, part german, part afghan....love all the Disney princesses regardless of race...cuz they pretty much can identify with all of them racially/ethnically...ha ha!

Really? Is this such important news?
not really Disney has had black people before
I also liek how this article refers to the obamas as a "fairy tale"
Nice one CNN
No even though he was elected primarily because he is BLACK let us remember the REAL job of the president which is to help the country not just a figure head to show oiff to the rest of the world and look pretty like what they are making him do right now

this referrs to Bills comment on alaadin and jasmine..personally hat was a racist offense to muslims since i am 1 and another thing is no you are completley wrong in soo many ways. Arabic is not aterm reffered to as WHITE BTW most arabic countrys are in North africa..

For Lisa in Shelton,

1st of all Shrek was Dreamworks....not Disney. 2nd, would it really matter what occupation that she was in or who she married? A lot of people have things to complain about when an event like this occurs. Often these are the people in life who will never be happy with what they have or who they are as a person.

People , think about what is important. Why does everything have to
be racial? I am sick of the work, move on.

oops, "sick of the word".

Wow, this amazes me. I’m being pulled in so many directions. First let me say to Cory who posted at 1:25 today. I agree with you whole heartily, pop culture doses not depict healthy black relationships and we should have different races of “Prince’s” as well.

However in 2009 if we do not get past the notion of a “first “black princess, how will we ever get over racism. In 2009 it’s sad that we are just getting this and it’s sad that it draws this much controversy. I buy my daughter all types of dolls and yes black dolls are hard to come by (even in 2009), but the most important thing that I teach her…is when she looks in the mirror she defines who she is and who she will be…not pop culture, no matter if there is a “first” black princess or not.

Walt Disney is rolling over in his grave!! LOL

Remembered it is “Song of the South!!! Not black! The Black hungry like white's major than black. But Disney trying makes more money that is it. They make it,who are white.But it's look funny.

Do these impossibly tiny, anorexic-looking Barbie-clone princesses really represent anyone's reality? Who's out there demanding a full-figured princess?

Besides, this black princess looks nothing like a real black person; she has no traditional black facial features whatsoever. She looks like nothing more than Princess Jasmine colored a little darker.

Is one more of the endless parade of animated Paris Hiltons really a triumph for anyone?

I love the fact that they did this.I've been a Disney fan for a while... I'm 23! I will not only go buy this DVD and go to support the movie in theatres,but I'm hosting a viewing party with all my sorority sisters and my two real sisters!

Thanks

Disney is doing two things with this new movie.
1. An African-American princess. Her name is Tiana and she is voiced by Anika Noni Rose, a great actress in my opinion. She has been in Dreamgirls and is now in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series on BBC and HBO.

2. Disney is also honoring New Orleans by using it as the setting for the movie. The movie shows Mardi Gras and early jazz music. I think that this was an inspired idea to place the movie there.

I am a huge Disney fan and I still look foreward to each new movie. I can't wait for next year when my favorite, Beauty and the Beast is back in theaters in 3-D and I can buy it on DVD finally.

I had to reply again after reading the first posted comment. As I said before I'm 23 so I was unfamiliar with the "Uncle Remus" chronicles or whatever. I'm glad they were discontinued. They are very offensive. Word of advice...please do not let your child view this movie. I guess the fact that it has been hidden is working because I hadn't heard about it and I'm quite sure young children hadn't either which is a GOOD thing. I don't think I would have ever bought a Disney DVD had I know who or what the Unlce Remus movie was.

Why are people saying they don't kow why its a big deal. You are obviously why it's a big deal. Blacks just don't whine about everything. We don't Boo the other team, we just root for our own.

Congrats Tiana!

Ric you’re an idiot for thinking that only black people live in Africa. I mean if we think that by calling ourselves "African-American" it means we are describing our color we should be called "Black-Americans". Africa is our ancestors home land not the color of our skin. I'm not African-American I'm Black and proud!

Happy for the kids, but really I don’t care. My child went as snow white last year for Halloween. Funny on one hand b/c...she’s not white, wonderful on the other hand b/c she didn’t see anything wrong with going as snow white. Not that there is something wrong just that she didn’t see snow white as being white. She knew what she wanted and didn’t let anything stop her. I wish all of us adults could do that instead of focusing on color.
The only thing I have a problem with is black men being shown as deadbeats and that black women find true happiness with white men. That’s why I LOVE Tyler P. movies. Black men can be strong and care for their families without being a punk.

Go to Ebay, you can get copies of Song of the South. They just have subtitles at the bottom. It is a fantastic movie and a real shame to miss out on it. I think it is funny that people want to wipe history under the rug. Show them the Disney concept and then explain to them the history/story behind it. Use the Disney film to talk to your kids.

When they ask about the Hunch Back of Notre Dame – tell them how they all died and why. If they ask about Pocahontas, please explain to them that she was married at 14 and died from an Anglo Saxon disease while visiting Britian with her much older husband. Be honest. Kids are only as ignorant as you allow them to be.

I think it is wonderful that Disney has included my little girl in the world of fantasy and peace. It is going to be great to take her back there and she gets to see Trina(live), we have pictures with Cinderella, Snow White, and of course Minnie, but now she can take a picture with someone that look like her. Now what about my son, can we get a prince or a king that looks like him... Yes he has pictures with Goofy, Mickey, Donald and Wall-e but what about a handsome young prince.

I with "J" on this one...Walt is trying to come out the casket.

Disney – you used to be innovative and on the edge with a lot of things, but it isn't until after you've had major animated female roles filled by Arabian, Asian and Native American chicks that you decide to give the role to a black female. For some time, you completely avoided the human race as main characters. And it isn't until the Presidency is taken over by a black man (and his family) that this is released. If the rumor is true that this idea has been on hold for two years.....what does that all mean? And the fact that she is a waitress in New Orleans..really? Screaming Katrina sympathy much? Way to exploit a tragedy.

I'm by no means putting down the idea, but honestly......should have happened A LONG TIME AGO. Your World of Tomorrow is a little late in the game.

And seriously, how many times are you doing to spin out the "I'm a princess in need of a prince" story? For 72 years, this is the best you can come up with? And while the story may be original, the premise is not. Strong feminine roles, my patootie. Stick to talking and singing animals.....much more up your alley because apparently the real world is only a fantasy in the land of Disney.

Yawn.........who cares.

Why can't we leave the originals alone and create new characters.

What's next Black klu Klux Klan???????????

Robin:
Why would people of African decent remove the hyphen and just be identified as American. It has never been an issue for "Irish-American, Native-American, Italian or Jewish Americans to proudly display their herritage but African Americans must once again try their best to conform by denying themselves even the smallest of awcknowlegements.... our race? Not Fair.....

oh god, since when does a company who is predominately occupied by white employees have the gall to make a movie with a black princess...after the sacha and malia obama dolls come out perhaps?

Kill this trend, it's not "hip" to be black, if I was black, i'd be sick of everyone treating me like i'm different because i'm black. Even Obama being elected isn't amazing...it's HUNDREDS of years too late.

There is something called quiet respect, and i think people need to be quietly respectful of the various cultures in the U.S.

First off I'm black and I feel this is something good, but not something to get too much excited about. The way adults are acting because this is the first black princess only teaches kids more racism which I thought we were supposed to be trying to get past. I'm just tired of all the princess movies, I know that this is what little girls like to see but after awhile it just gets to be old. I do agree with some people on here that there needs to be more strong male roles in the Disney movies. There has been a few but these princess movies just stick out more.

Touche on the dreamworks/Fiona, my bad; but the fact that Disney has decided to finally release a cartoon with a black princess doesn't prove they're hip – just opportunistic. Wanting healthy role models for our young ladies within the scope of a fantasy cartoon doesn't deserve criticism from small minds – it deserves more responsible entertainment from big studios.

I'am very excited about this movie. This movie is important for black women. There is a stereotype that we are ghettoe, low class, babby daddies havin hoochies. Its nice to see black women displayed with class and high feminiity. I like that the prince is not black to let black females know that they do have options. As everyone knows its not just girls who are going to see this movie.

First off, I think that it's ridiculous to think that this is a major step. I think that it's just another stepping stone on the ladder. I mean, look at some of the other princesses we have had. Pocahontas was actually a princess for the Native Americans in her movie. Jasmine was a princess in whatever middle eastern country she was from. Mulan was a chinese princess and was bad-ass to boot. This new character, Tiana, is an ordinary girl in New Orleans. America will never have a princess, so she really doesn't fit that standard. Also, she could have been in a better situation. She could have led a struggle through the underground railroad. I really think that Disney struggled with this one, just trying to follow up Obama, and it wasn't a good way of doing so.

Why not Asian Princess too

The first Black princess was Brandy in Cinderella.

Smarm masquerading as art.

Why not tell the story of a real African Queen, especially the biblical story of Candace, Queen of Ethiopia?

And Justin is correct: Song of the South began Disney's diversity efforts. I love the story: Brer Rabbit, etc.

It was NOT racist. People need to quit calling things that use "colloquial" speech "racist." Is Toni Morrison's book "Tar Baby" racist – despite its use of heavy racial stereotypes of blacks?

It's just a story.... not an indictment of an entire race of people. Anyone who reads "racism" into Song of the South must be a racist.

I can't remember, but someone said Disney was riding Obama's popularity coat tails. Really? Seriously, no really? Do some research before playing your O card (which is about as useful to you as the Joker). This movie has been in production for over 5 years. It was announced over two years ago that the princess would in fact be black. It was also announced after hurricane Kat, that it would take place in NOLA. This has nothing to do with Obama. Animated films take time to create, good ones anyway.

And Disney doesn't need Mr. O's coat tails. They are rolling in it with or without the Obama bandwagon. Oh, and if you really want to be technical, of the human characters, there have only been six Disney Princess – by birth that is – Snow White, Ariel, Jasmine and Sleeping Beauty/Briar Rose/Aurora, Pocahontas (in fact an Indian Princess) and Megara (given to old Hercules as a gift from her pop King Creon). Cindy and Belle married up. Mulan, Esmeralda, and Jane (although Tarzan does not deserve to be counted).

And to continue if you want to get truly ethnic...would you say we have two french women, a greek woman, a chinese woman, an english woman, a mer woman, an arabic woman, three german woman (if you use Grimm's roots), and a native american princess? I wonder if they hyphenate in "long long ago" land? French – Fairy Tale Princess, Greek – Fairy Tale Princess, Native – American – Fairy Tale Princess...now that is a mouth full!

take your kids to the zoo.. let them read books. too much of this looks like.. 'now i can sit my children in front of the tv and let them relate to an animated character from a billion dollar industry and feel slightly better about it.. because the drawing is darker'

[...] Vía| amfix [...]

I don't think this is right time for a black princess. It's way late.
Disney is behind the times. There should be multicolor princesses by now!
And her color should not be important, that's why I like Belle: she's
intelligent, she likes books, she could be green, blue or pink!

In this matter, the US is way behind many countries. It still
holds on to its racism. The color of an animation character should
not be an issue.

Why are blacks so racist? I think it's great but I also think it's great there is a white prince. So we can one of each race in the movie, but I hear blacks are all up in arms about this. Why is it OK to have a black princess but not a white prince. Seems like blacks say they are not racist but put them in a crowd of all black people and see what happens.

A Black princess i am really exited im a white kid and i think white people should really start treating with obama then this movie to all the blacks you guys really deserve this and go to hell all u people who dont like this movie and who doesnt like black people black people mexicans and other races should be treated with a lot more respect and i hope the next princess is a diffrent race the world nedd to get their act together and learn to get along! well i hope this movie is good.

omg a black disney princess this is awesome maybe the net princess will be mexican this what ive been wishing for and now my dreams are coming true it's time that other races are in the spot light other then white people i cant wait to see the movie!

I am sort of a youngster and I have never seen the movie Song of the South..but I read a comment that inspired me to write a comment. Once in high school my teacher told me that he didn't allow his son, three years old at the time, watch tv, especially not Disney cartoons because they are racist. I thought at first he was sort of crazy and over analyzed things because he was an english teacher, but after reading these comments and actually thinking about it he is absolutely correct. It's great that disney has started to make a movie staring a African American princess and its wonderful to see women of color get noticed, but when will there ever be an african american prince? Or is that just too much to ask to ask for. FYI for Disney when you portray African Americans in movies don't stereotype that is very ignorant and low not only are the characters monkeys, crows, hyenas, and etc, they represent ugly, vicious, animals. The connotation of the use of the animals represent derogatory association to African Americans and I hope that was not intentional. I mean in the movie they are viewed as bad which to me targeting children with things like make them grow up with these same prejudices.

Disney get it together. Like i said before its great and all, but don't expect kudos or something because you finally included a minority character in a big movie and expect African Americans to be over joyed because its not that impressing. And I also read a few comments about Brandy being Cinderella that's the only movie ppl can say had a lot of African American characters compared to how many racist others and not just targeted at the African American race. So Disney don't exploit other's culture simply because you don't understand it, or think it would be a riot, or to just make a buck. Include more minority race movies.

To steve about the BET thing it was initially targeted for Afraican American viewers. You sound so ignorant think about it how many other African American owned networks do you know that play shows targeted to those viewers. You don't because there are none. Also FYI it's no longer and African American owned network anymore and yes I have noticed a big difference. Also to add to your ignorance these blogs are about the Disney movie...lets try and stay on topic here..if you don't have anything to say about the movie don't comment at all lets not throw low blows because Disney targets and attracts all races not just African American audiences..therefor to be quite honest BET was not made to attract Caucasians plain and simple.

I think it's great that Disney has finally decided to add to it's rank a princess or rather an aspiring princess who is Black. I am the mother of a 3 year old daughter and since her birth I have not bought into much of the animated type merchandise. I definitely have not purchased her any Disney products other than WInnie The Pooh or Mickey Mouse books. This is a step forward for Disney to make sure that their already flooded cups continue to overflow.

I'm so excited about this beautiful doll. Now you can say all girls have a princess doll that looks like them ....and to those how say this isn't the first african american princess. Brandy was a MOVIE that came out in the 90's but this princess WILL be part of a collection of Disney prinesses thank you very much!!

I really hope this movie is better than Cinderella 2. I was so dissapointed in the second Cinderella movie that I just wanted Disney to just redo it because I wanted the same magic the first Cinderella had, but it didnt. I can't wait to buy it for my girls. Is the doll coming out before Christmas this year?

Everybody listen. This doll doesn't have to be about a race thing. Do you guys know that black people from other countries have said they don't like to be compared to african americans in our country because THEY say you all are a bunch of winey butts who use your skin color as excuses for every little problem and complaint. I was excited about this movie and hoped to see the doll but everyone is acting hippocritical. It's not good enough and this and that. To the person who said why does she have to be a waitress, and why can't she be a princess and stated there are no other princesses like that. Oh my gosh CINDERELLA was an abused servent!! I don't care. I'm still going to watch the movie. We should all only be worried that our girls are going to think a man is going to save them. That is why I loved Shrek the women in that kicked butt and Shrek. Now Shrek is green. Does that make everything even? Stop making this into a race issue and let our kids enjoy the fantasy. Just like all the other princesses who have been of every skin color.
To Chille-yes it is over. Black people are way more racist than white. But I don't care. I'm watching the movie and not think about any negative black complaints because I know there are different nationalities in many Disney stories and this just happens to be another in the melting pot. I hope it's a good cartoon.

After all these years finally. I grew up on disney movies and always wanted to see a princess that looks a little more like me.
Thank you Disney.

Great...A black princess..thanks Disney I am sure Walt would approve of this overwhelming triumph for the black race! How about you just make good movies that focus on morals and values rather than remaking old ones sparking more divisions within multicultural America. Congratulations on the defamation of a timeless classic.

@ john...you are a man and will not understand why little girls white or black want to see someone on the big screen, tv or even a print ad....little girls want to relate to something....are you really calling this movie a defamation because the main perosn happens to have color....I'm so sad for you!!!! You were right about one thing, america is Multi – cultural, so everyone should get to see someone that looks like them on screen/tv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!