New Latina Disney Princess

[Sped2424]

Wait, I think Dora the Explorer was the first Latina Disney princess!!! (I kid, I kid!)

SWIPER NO- oh man.

 

[Sped2424]

Oh yay, so you came here from Tumblr then?

Says the steven universe profile picture lol Tumblr's hailed animated series. (amazing show btw, WE ARE THE CRYSTAL GEMS)

 

[Sped2424]

Until she gets an actual film, it's not official.

My point exactly^

You are not wrong for liking her. She is very pretty.

My issue is when these kind of topics come up, it becomes a 'Disney should do this' discussion and it bugs me. Claiming having her is a 'step in the right direction' is saying Disney is wrong for not having a certain kind of character. Why are they wrong? Because their stories haven't called for her yet? Most of the stories Disney has done, and is known for, are European/Grimm stories so it makes sense most of them were white. Despite that, Disney has been a very diverse company. Small World, World Showcase, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Tiana. Shows like Modern Family is on ABC and things like that. So I just don't buy the 'Disney doesn't cater enough to 'this/or that' group.

As for Elana, she may not become a Legacy character but if she becomes popular enough, there is a possibility they may plan a movie for a Latina princesses. Are there any good legends/stories Disney could adapt for her?

I am not saying they have to do anything. Just if you are going to do a princess character and claim she is your first latina and want to bank the good press off of it, then do it right and shoot for a feature film. And while Disney is diverse and great at that there is no harm in wanting more of it. And while I don't think they should just adapt Elena into a film as I would want a new character there are PLENTY of latino and hispanic stories they could pull from for a film.

 

[Bing Bong]

My point exactly^

I am not saying they have to do anything. Just if you are going to do a princess character and claim she is your first latina and want to bank the good press off of it, then do it right and shoot for a feature film. And while Disney is diverse and great at that there is no harm in wanting more of it. And while I don't think they should just adapt Elena into a film as I would want a new character there are PLENTY of latino and hispanic stories they could pull from for a film.

To be fair the Directors John Musker and Ron Clements (Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Princess and the Frog) were talking about doing a Spanish themed film based off Rumpelstiltskin called the Name Game... Not sure whatever happened to it, but we're still getting Moana.

 

[Sped2424]

To be fair the Directors John Musker and Ron Clements (Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Princess and the Frog) were talking about doing a Spanish themed film based off Rumpelstiltskin called the Name Game... Not sure whatever happened to it, but we're still getting Moana.

Yeah I think that film got fizzled out. But moana looks super.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I agree with others... Disney and the media in general have the power to influence young children. I know I was definitely influenced as a young African American little girl. I couldn't understand why Disney didn't have a black princess.

I actually wrote about this very subject for a writing competition hosted by Disney, specifically D23. I didn't win the main prize, but I did get runner up and got some really cool stuff from Disney.

 

[MissingDisney]

How did this become a debate about whether or not Disney has a responsibility to be diverse? Or that it is or isn't their choice what characters they create?

All I said was I like this character. I assume they introduced her because they see the market for her with the growing number of Hispanics in America.

Thank you to the first few constructive responses. The rest just went to a completely different place.

It's a discussion forum. Discussion does not always include debate, but when you bring up a topic like race, culture, politics, trees, benches......if you've spent more than 15 minutes round these here parts....you knew what was comin'

 

[RadiatorSpringsRacer]

A lot of these comments give me hope in the American population. Completely serious here - I'm glad the need for diverse representation within Disney's character lineup has been recognized.

 

[imagineer boy]

I knew this conversation had been civil for too long. Thanks for reminding me where I am, the internet.

I don't think anyone got the point of my post...

 

[ford91exploder]

I agree with others... Disney and the media in general have the power to influence young children. I know I was definitely influenced as a young African American little girl. I couldn't understand why Disney didn't have a black princess.

I actually wrote about this very subject for a writing competition hosted by Disney, specifically D23. I didn't win the main prize, but I did get runner up and got some really cool stuff from Disney.

Personally Tiana is one of my favorite princesses as she WORKS for a living AND lives 'happily ever after' which I think is a positive message for young girls,

Personal favorite is Mulan but that's because I have a martial bent and having a princess who FIGHTS for what she believes in and to protect her country resonates with me.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Personally Tiana is one of my favorite princesses as she WORKS for a living AND lives 'happily ever after' which I think is a positive message for young girls,

Personal favorite is Mulan but that's because I have a martial bent and having a princess who FIGHTS for what she believes in and to protect her country resonates with me.

Mulan and Tiana are two of my favorites as well. I wish they had chosen a different story to adapt for Tiana, but I have to accept it because Disney will most likely never create another African American princess.

 

[ford91exploder]

You are not wrong for liking her. She is very pretty.

My issue is when these kind of topics come up, it becomes a 'Disney should do this' discussion and it bugs me. Claiming having her is a 'step in the right direction' is saying Disney is wrong for not having a certain kind of character. Why are they wrong? Because their stories haven't called for her yet? Most of the stories Disney has done, and is known for, are European/Grimm stories so it makes sense most of them were white. Despite that, Disney has been a very diverse company. Small World, World Showcase, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Tiana. Shows like Modern Family is on ABC and things like that. So I just don't buy the 'Disney doesn't cater enough to 'this/or that' group.

As for Elana, she may not become a Legacy character but if she becomes popular enough, there is a possibility they may plan a movie for a Latina princesses. Are there any good legends/stories Disney could adapt for her?

The history of Central America has boundless possibilities, Or the time after the Mexican Cession on EITHER side of the border there is no end of source material.

 

[tcool]

So um...who exactly is Moana?

Moana is Disney's first Polynesian Princess. It is going to be a musical film animated in CGI. It will hit theaters in 2016. The only two characters confirmed as of now is Moana voiced by most likely a Polynesian and Maui voiced by Dwayne Johnson. And he's singing too! This is the only official art I think :

 

[Sped2424]

I agree with others... Disney and the media in general have the power to influence young children. I know I was definitely influenced as a young African American little girl. I couldn't understand why Disney didn't have a black princess.

I actually wrote about this very subject for a writing competition hosted by Disney, specifically D23. I didn't win the main prize, but I did get runner up and got some really cool stuff from Disney.

Now that is awesome ^ could you share a link to that if you wouldn't mind? I myself love to read and write about the very same subject every now and again!

 

[Sped2424]

I don't think anyone got the point of my post...

See it came off like you were making fun of people who wanted to see diverse representation. If that wasn't your intention I apologize sincerely.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Now that is awesome ^ could you share a link to that if you wouldn't mind? I myself love to read and write about the very same subject every now and again!

I wish I could! The document is on my computer at home (currently on my laptop in my dorm). Disney didn't tell me I was runner up, I just received a package in the mail from D23 with a note inside. I basically talked about how proud I was as an African American to have Tiana. I mentioned some other stuff, too, but I forgot haha. That was maybe 3 years ago.

 

[RadiatorSpringsRacer]

Disney will most likely never create another African American princess.

I hope you're wrong. I hope, when TPATF came out, that Disney was better than to have the mindset of "Well, that's our one black princess out the door. We did it, guys! Now it's time to put her on all the merchandise next to Ariel and Cinderella and Aurora and Rapunzel and Belle and Snow White and Merida. Everyone will love it! Our work is 100% done!"

I don't think anyone got the point of my post...

It made it seem as though diversity issues that are real for countless people, and need to be talked about in order for all of humanity to be properly represented, were just the complaints of mad overzealous whiners. (There are people that take this kind of stuff too far, but they're few and far between compared to the many that are actually right.) I was just reading about an example of how this affects people:

I have a four-year old son who loves superheroes from Spider-Man to Iron Man to Batman. He’s got all the costumes. One day he looks at me and says ‘Dad, I want to be light-skinned so I could be Spider-Man. Spider-Man has light skin.’ That was sort of a shock. This is why I am excited to be a part of the Marvel Universe, so I could be hopefully provide that diversity in the role of the superhero.

Source: http://screencrave.com/2013-07-21/s...heroes-coming-providing-diversity-alligators/

You also used a word to refer to intersex people that is most definitely a slur. It starts with H.

 

[Sped2424]

I wish I could! The document is on my computer at home (currently on my laptop in my dorm). Disney didn't tell me I was runner up, I just received a package in the mail from D23 with a note inside. I basically talked about how proud I was as an African American to have Tiana. I mentioned some other stuff, too, but I forgot haha. That was maybe 3 years ago.

Still awesome! And tiana is my favorite princess. The only meet and greet I will happily queue up for at Disneyworld plus we get her with naveen here!

 

[Sped2424]

I hope you're wrong.



It made it seem as though diversity issues that are real for countless people, and need to be talked about in order for all of humanity to be properly represented, were just the complaints of mad overzealous whiners. (There are people that take this kind of stuff too far, but they're few and far between compared to the many that are actually right.) I was just reading about an example of how this affects people:

Source: http://screencrave.com/2013-07-21/s...heroes-coming-providing-diversity-alligators/

You also used a word to refer to intersex people that is most definitely a slur. It starts with H.

Absolutely right ^

 

[TestTrack Dummy]

I would love to see a Latina princess. I just want it done right, not forced. If they have a great story to tell with a Latina princess then I'm on board. As of right now Elena looks like she will just be a TV character. Nothing wrong with that but it's not the same as an animated feature from Disney Animation Studios. If they really want to catch headlines with a South American story they should adapt "La Llorona" .