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is dark brown aka African-American. Her name is Maddy and is known as the “Frog Princess.”

The Frog Princess, huh? Isn’t that the story of a princess/prince who is an actual frog? The plot involes a frog who can sew, cook and create a heavenly abode her potential mate just can’t get over her being a frog? Or in this case an African-American chambermaid…….

Disney is not spilling the beans of the story line. They are providing some pictures from their corporate event which unveiled the project and this official news release.

Who is Maddy? How closely is the story modeled on the traditional frog princess/prince tales? Are we to take a hint from their other princess of color stories and sigh, wince, grit our teeth for the worse? Do we allow for the possibility that Disney has finally gotten its formula to work for folks of color? It is possible for Disney, after 70 years of developing fairy tales for America’s youth, fairly deliver, in integrity and respect, an African-American princess who will be loved by people of all colors?

I have to say, I am really not sure about this one. The potential is there but according to information found on-line there is also a great possibility that this can be a huge debackle. The traditional frog Princess/Prince is a tale of finding a good mate without investing too much on looks. In one version a mother has her three sons ask their potential mates to spin flax and who ever does it best will be her most beloved daughter-in-law.

Why is Maddy the Frog Princess? Could it be those European beauty standards get in the way and therefore she has to make her impression on a prince through hard work?

Gritting teeth…..Here is the cast as reported from a casting call:

• Maddy - A 19-year-old chambermaid.
• Charlotte La Bouff - A 18-year-old spoiled, southern Debutante and Diva.
• Dr. Duvalier - An African American Voodoo magician/fortune teller. The villain of the movie.
• Mama Odie - An elderly, 200-year-old Voodoo priestess/fairy god-mother.
• Ray - A lovesick Cajun firefly.
• Louis - A Jazz singer alligator.
• Prince Harry - A gregarious, fun-loving European Prince, in his early twenties.
• Lawrence - Prince Harry’s pompous valet.
• Big Daddy La Bouff - Wealthy, Southern plantation landowner and father of Charlotte La Bouff.
• Eudora - Maddy’s mother. In her fifties. Used to be Charlotte’s nurse maid.
• George - The La Bouff family’s cook.
• Little Arila - Maddy’s little sister. She’s little, but very smart

Maybe, the European male character doesn’t have that much to do with Maddy and he doesn’t take her to the ball in the end. There are other possibilities.

I have one question for the person who decided to call the villain, Dr. Duvalier: “Were you high?” LOL Papa Doc, I am screaming! I guess you are not expecting too many Haitian immigrants to complain about that one huh? UUhhmmm, Disney Executives, holla at me if you need help keeping this one clean……

Let me state right here and right now, that I want Disney to succeed. I really want to be able to give my five year old a copy of the Frog Princess. I do not want to give the impression of being unduly harsh. I am not a huge fan of Disney, but I have been to Disneyworld and Disneyland and really want those of us from the African diaspora to fit into American culture like everyone else. Oh wait, who really fits into American culture?

Cheers to high hopes for Maddy who was given a nickname instead of a proper name……

Papa Doc (shakes head, seriously though they’ll change it right?)

“Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.”
-St. Francis of Assisi

I watched Mel Gibson’s, movie Apocalypto with my cousin and great friend Sunday. The movie was invigorating and full of symbolism. She and I both were on the edge of our seats for nearly the entire picture. I felt out of breath for the last half of the movie. (more…)