The Princess and the Frog

So 2009 is the year that one of the most historic and largest animation (and all over film) corporations have decided to dig into the race barrier and portray an African American main character. Tiana, Disney's first black princess has been slowly producing clips to individuals and groups who in some way or another have begun complaining of the inevitable imperfectness of the characters and settings.

Black Voices (a website off of AOL representing black culture of which I have never heard of) goes so far to criticize the fairness of supporting character's skin. William Blackburn, a former journalist, who i'm sure spends more time criticizing than he does to actually analyze all foundations for his complaints, has remarked on the location of the film's setting. The Princess and the Frog taking scence in New Orleans, home of Katrina, is believed in Blackburn's eyes as the locale to one of the most devasting tragedies to the "black community."

What I understand of such pointedly predictable criticism offered with such a landmark regards the the interpretive bahavior. Characters, scenes, props, backdrops, language is greatly differentiated between the histories and cultural knowledge of the creators and viewers. Though I do recogize producers recevied consulting from leading African Americans (i.e. Oprah), maybe the one criticism such individuals and groups should have is not in the minor details but in the scope of it's creators; two white men.

I think it's more than time for an animated black main character, a heroine or hero of which was stalled maybe due to fear of over-stereotpyping. People can point out all of the potential flaws, and i'm sure there are a few. I'd be more concerned with how this film and these characters will be perceived by the viewers; young and impressionable children.