Don't read it if you haven't seen it, and want to. thanks, management

"so I'm tryin to take off these "Spelman lenses" to enjoy the princess and the frog.. smh"

-Facebook

This weekend, I was fortunate to see Disney's "The Princess and the Frog." There was so much hype at Spelman because Princess Tiana was Disney's first BLACK princess (if you don't count Nala from Lion King). I, myself was appalled and a little embarassed when my friend Whitney announced that she would not support the movie in any way, shape or form. I didn't understand at first, but now I have no doubts at all that she was right in her decision.

I'll begin with the concept of black and white, and brown for Prince Naveen's sake. In the film, blond-haired, blue-eyed, and wealthy Charlotte is in love with the Maldonian Prince Naveen. But Prince Naveen is turned into a frog, and must kiss a princess to return back to his normal state. When Charlotte becomes 'princess' of the Mardi Gras parade, she becomes Tiana and Naveen's one and only opportunity. REALLY Disney? Even though the main character, Tiana, is Black, she must STILL rely on a WHITE woman to fulfill her destiny? Subtle rasicm=not subtle enough. And what about Prince Naveen? We're ready for a Black princess, as long as she doesn't marry a Black prince. In fact, there were only 2 black men represented in the movie. One was a struggling coal miner, and the other was practically a devil worshipper. America isn't ready for an all Black cast, people. And they are especially not ready for the lead to be a successful Black man. The only Black men ever featured in Disney movies are men like Eddie Murphy, Cedric the Entertainer, and Martin Lawrence. "Look at the funny little Negroes, mommy."

The movie also centers around the concept of voodoo, a concept in which Disney Studios has YET to grasp. Louisiana voodoo evolved from the African Diasporic group who worked as slaves in the Southern French Quarter. They combined African religion with Catholic practices, such as worshiping God and Jesus Christ. They even incorporated the Lord's Prayer into their daily practices. They wore amulets to ward off harmful situations (good luck charms). And voodoo dolls? Yeah, they were traditionally used for good luck. Pins were stuck into the doll with pictures attached, so that the person could be reconnected with an ancestor, or someone still living. Disney uses voodoo dolls to represent the potential KILLING of another human being. And owing eternal debts to voodoo spirits? Way to symbolize the devil, Disney.

The movie's great, don't get me wrong, but i don't think Disney should be raised to such a high standard just yet. Before this, we only had The Lion King. Now we have a Black Princess, and her not-Black husband. Black men in the eyes of children are inferior, and voodoo is the 'Black' people religion, and therefore, we are more evil. mwahahahahaha. sigh.