RE: The Princess and the Frog--contains spoliers

I have recently scene the film and I was amazed. Stepping outside of first black princess for a sec, the 2D was amazing. Disney has really pulled through all its years of, well, kind of crappy movies. Now getting back to point, the first black princess was a success. Now there are those of you who say things like "but she was a frog the whole movie" or "she came from the projects" or "she wasn't originally a princess." Well, here is what I have to say on those matters. First of this black princess would by far be the strongest princess (in ways of commitment, dedication, role model, etc) Disney has ever had aside from Bell in Beauty and the Beast. Not only was there are magical sense in the movie, but also a reality side-- you got to work hard. Even if you've wished upon a star, you've got to do your share.

So what if she came from the projects, she had much more character than any other princess (I mean really, Arial from The Little Mermaid was in a word shallow, she couldn't accept who she was. Of course that's debatable but moving on). And that just showed how much more of a role model she is for her never-giving-up attitude. She went from the projects to running her own booming restaurant-- now that's dedication. And Disney was just trying to be historically correct--what do you want them to do? Lie and not be aware that the majority of black people, or people in general I suppose, back then were poor? Not to mention the great family ties she had (aside from the fact that Disney ALWAYS has to kill one parent).

And honestly, who cares if she was a frog practically the whole movie, we take steps to reach a destination, give it time. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of equal, multi-race entertainment. I kind of have a feeling that the only people who noticed that are people who are trying to prove they are aware of racism in the world. But really, if you are a person who just noticed there weren't any black princesses before the movie even was being advertised, give yourself a pat on the back.

This movie was great and I am excited to see more of the likes of it.

The Princess and the Frog

Today I am hitting another note, instead of books I am going to mention a movie. On December 11th, a movie will hit theaters. This movie is the classic story of The Princess an the Frog. There are two exciting things about this movie. Number one, this will be the first PURE DISNEY ANIMATION since movies like Lion King and Hercules dating back to the 90s. Number two, the more important one, is the fact that all the main characters in this film are black (or a mix of french and black). Now not many people understand what the big deal is, but how many animations do you know where the main characters are a race other then white? Aladdin? What else? You can't say Peter Pan because that movie was slightly racist. This is a new step into a new world people. Maybe I am a bit overdramatic, but this movie may open up a new world of princes and princesses for little girls and boys "of color." It does for me. So if you don't understand this, look at this from a different perspective.

Comment on what you think and any questions on the movie (there is a link for the movie in the title somewhere) and I will get back to you.

YA book covers vs. YA BLACK book covers

The other day a friend showed me this article on a racial dispute over the cover of a YA novel. The novel, Liar by Justine Larbalestier, is a story about a black girl-but dispite that, the cover is of a white girl. Justine says she argued with editors and sale reps who say that black covers don't sell well and more then a few accountants won't take books with black covers. The idea that this may be very well a fact is proof of racism in YA books today. Have a look at the article (posted by Cory Doctorow) and please comment on what you think. Here is a link is you are having trouble getting to the website.

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/07/23/race-and-book-covers.html

Character Descriptions

OK, so last night I was reading a book, Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, and if you remember back in eariler posts I asked what race do assume the character is? Some of said that may be left open for the reader to deciede and that there may be no deffiant race for a single or group of characters. Well in the book I read last night, in every other character the narrarter introduced, they wouldnt give a description of the race except when "a black girl with long braids emerged," pg. 48. In every other context, it is usually just the description of what the character ("I saw the source: a short kid wearing a peacoat and some serious orthodontia, sitting in the backseat with a book open in his lap" pg. 103), except for the one on page 48. Why is it that in the book world we live in we need to be told if a character is of a different race but not often need to be told that the character is white? I know this book isnt the only one.

Twilight

Please read this passage from a popular book Eclipse from the Twilight saga.

"My first impression of Kim was that she was a nice girl, a little shy, and a little plain. She had a wide face, mostly cheekbones, with eyes too small to balance them out. Her nose and mouth were both too broad for traditional beauty. Her flat black hair was thin and wispy in the wind that never seemed to let atop the cliff."
-Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer, page 242

This is the description of a Native American, Kim, with the common features of a Native American person.
Please tell what your thoughts are on this.

And please, please, please take the test below.

The Color Line-Q's Part Two

PART TWO (make sure you have answered for part one below, when finished, please add and post your scores as a comment. Also, please bring this quiz-that I did NOT create, not sure who did-to a person of a different race then you and see what they have.)

Score 5 if the statement is often true for YOU.
3 if the statement is sometimes true for YOU.
0 if the statement is seldom true for YOU.

12. I can be oblivious to the language and the customs of the persons of color w/out feeling any penalty for such ignorance from the people of my race. (In other words, people of my race are not angry, disappointed, or frustrated if I don't know about the cultural traditions of people of color.)

13. I can criticize our government or talk about fear or opposing its polices without being seen as a racial outsider.

14. I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to the "person in charge" in a school, business, restaurant, or other location, I will be facing a person of my race.

15. I can conveniently buy posters, postcards, picture books, greeting cards, and magazines featuring people of my race.

16. I can go home from most meetings of the clubs or organizations that I participate in feeling tied in, not isolated, out of place, outnumbered, unheard, feared, or hated.

17. I can take a scholarship without having others suspect I got it because of my race.

18. If my family goes on vacation, we choose a hotel without fearing that people of race cannot get in or will be mistreated or mistrusted in there.

19. I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my race will not work against me.

20. If my day, week, or year is going badly, I don't need to wonder if each negative situation is due somewhat to my race.

21. I can comfortably avoid, ignore, or minimize the impact of racism on my life.

22. I can speak in a public group without my race being an issue.

23. Most dolls, crayons, band-aids, makeup, and any other items that comes in "flesh" color is more or less a match for my skin.

24. If a substitute teacher disciplines me, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.

The Color Line-Q's Part One

Please answer these questions below,
Score 5 if the statement is often true for you
3 if the statement is sometimes true for you
0 if the statement is seldom true for you.
PART ONE
Make sure you read the post above for Part Two.

1. I can easily choose to be in company of people of my race most of the time (in school, shopping, in a park or other public place).

2. If my family needs to move, we can be pretty sure of hassle-free renting or buying in a safe desirable neighborhood where we would want to live.

3. I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasent to me.

4. I can go shopping by myself most of the time without being followed or harrased.

5. I can turn on the TV or open the front page of the paper and see many people of my race
represented in a positive way.

6. When I learn about our national heritage or about "civilization," in school and in the media, I am shown that people of my race made it what it is.

7. I can go into most supermarkets and find the staple foods which fit with my racial/ethnic traditions; I can go into any hairdresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair.

8.I can count on my skin color not to work against me when I shop, whether I use checks, credit cards, or cash; store clerks assume that I have enough money to pay for my purchases.

9. I can swear or dress in second hand clothes, or not answer letters, w/out having people say that these choices are due to the bad morals, or the poverty, or the illiteracy of my race.

10. I can do well in a challenging situation w/out being called a credit to my race. (EX. If I earn a school award, I am not identified as especially good or talented for a person of my race.)

11. I am never asked to speak for all of the people of my racial group.