Princess and the flippin Frog!!

Princess and the Frog made its premiere in theaters Friday, December 11. A friend and I caught a matinee show on Saturday and remained misty-eyed as we watched our twenty year old childhood dream unfold right before our eyes. As I took in the fairytale of an African American princess I couldn’t help but analyze this critical moment and the images that flowed from the screen to the tune of a typical Disney screen play. The first Disney African American princess fairytale was woven with your usual villain, a dreamy prince, and array of colorful characters.

What seemed like a dream come true fell short of perfect with the Indian Prince, instead of

African, and the depiction of traditional African religion and practices. The villain was called the Shadow Man and he provoked the spirits to carry out his evil deeds. With each scene involving the Shadow Man, obviously “African” mask would dance back and forth across the screen with red and black eyes. Dark smoke flowed from the mouths of the singing mask as the Shadow Man, practicing voodoo, which was blatantly implied but of course not stated as such, caused conflict and brought misfortune to the main characters. Disney’s first African American princess movie and Africa gets the short end of the stick, figures.

What is really sad about getting stiffed is that Disney KNOWS that they could do this to Black people and not hear any flack about it. They would rather have an interacial relationship (the first that is not historical) than have an African prince. WTF!! And, why is it that what is obviously African is seen as negative!? And one could argue that they did show the positive side to the practice, but no way no how could anybody tell that that was African. I am angry!

If I had a daughter, I would not allow her to see this movie because I do not want her to think an African prince is not possible and African religion is bad. This was an ugly attempt and I am disappointed in what Disney is attempting to tell our Black children. I wish I did my homework before paying 5.25 for the early show.