Princess and the Frog

This was my first time watching the Princess and the Frog. I was excited to see how Disney would introduce its first African American princess character into its movies. Personally, I really enjoyed the film and did not think that it was racist but I could see some aspects that would allow room for criticism regard race portrayals in this Disney movie.

For example, Tiana's mother is a seamstress for a rich, white family and when Tiana grows up, she works as a waitress in a small diner. She's defined as the "working" princess instead of the stereotypical "wish-upon-a-star + find prince charming + live happily after" princesses that Disney has produced in the past. While these arguments are valid, the setting and time period of this movie has to be taken into account.

Racism and discrimination was still very much present in New Orleans during the 1920s. Would it have been appropriate for Disney to ignore the fundamental experiences of African Americans during that time period? It would not have been historically accurate to have Tiana take the place of her very white, very blonde, and very rich best friend, Charlotte. Moreover, some express concerns about the only black princess being the "working" princess, but what if Cinderella had been black? The situation of being treated like a servant by her step-mother and step-sisters would have been extremely controversial and caused outrage from its viewers. Or even Snow White for that matter - a black female who enters a house full of caucasian male and essentially perform house chores in order to earn their friendship?

I think Disney was smart in not making Tiana a princess that mindlessly searches for love. She has character, drive, and is likable. Tiana does not rely on her prince charming to make her dreams come true. Personally, I think she is the best role model out of all the Disney princesses and the criticism of race portrayal was inevitable just because of the fact that she was the first African American in the Disney princess line.