Sunday, March 30, 2014

"Cinderella Ate My Daughter" Orenstein

Reflection:

This article was very interesting. It reminded me of Chritensens "Unlearning the Myths that Bind us," article.  I want to comment on the author’s statement of “colored” princesses because this really fascinates me. When I think about Disney princesses, I think about Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, and even Snow White and Jasmine. But I never really think about Pocahontas and Mulan. I really don’t consider them princesses because their stories and movies don’t make them seem like one. In all the other Disney princess movies, the princesses play damsel in distress and the prince comes and saves them. Pocahontas and Mulan are independent and are after something bigger than falling for their true love. I often wonder if my perspective of who the princesses of Disney are has been shaped by the movies and personas they give off. Why don’t I consider Pocahontas and Mulan princesses? I know I gave a short reason why but there must be more to it. There has to be an underlying fact that these movies have created and probably hoped to create this division. Orenstein also mentioned that “not all eight of the Disney princesses are of royal extraction.” Mulan and Pocahontas are technically Disney princesses but like she also mentioned, they are hard to find in the store. I think this has a lot to do with my perspective on which ones I consider princesses because the ones I see in the stores or on anything labeled Disney princesses are Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, and Sleeping Beauty. This is not coincidental and is part of marketing and advertising. I want to end my reflection on this thought, what does everyone think about the Princess Tiana from the movie Princess and the Frog? She is African American and is the first Disney princess of this race. The movie is very cute and involves the same features of all the other Disney princess movies, true love, music, singing and dancing, and a happy ending. Why did it take Disney so long to make a movie with an African American Disney princess?



7 comments:

  1. I went to the Disney store in NYC a few weeks ago and Mulan, Tiana and Pocahontas all shared one stand while Ariel had two. I hate it because--although Ariel will always be one of m favorites--Mulan, Tiana and Pocahontas are, in my opinion, better examples of family loyalty, independence, hard work and sacrifice. Also, when I was in the store, I noticed that Pocahontas' doll looks really sad compared to the others. My boyfriend pointed out that her story is kind of sad because when you think about it as an adult, it's about white supremacy and the reality that Europeans came over and wiped out many Native American groups. Maybe that's why we don't always associate her with the princesses, because her story is very rooted in a historical setting of oppression and death even though she saves her "love" in the end and we feel kind of happy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i agree with what you said about it almost seeming like they are focusing on the princess falling for the man and being the damsel in distress instead of the idea of empowerment and independence amongst the princesses. the princesses who go after something more are not as important. does anyone remember Ezmerelda and Quasimodo? was she a princess? i cant remember

    ReplyDelete
  3. i agree with your reflection and thought it was interesting how you never think of Pocahontas or Mulan as being princesses, and i never considered them princesses either. when i was little i thought of Bell or Cinderella as being princesses never Pocahontas. i think one of the reasons is because their plot line is different then the princess falling for the prince and is more about independence like you mentioned.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I liked how you pointed out which princesses you think of when talking about Disney princesses because I think that the majority of girls think of the same ones. It's as if Disney defines a "princess" as a girl who needs a man to help her live "happily ever after" and the girls who play an independent role in their movie are not since they don't need anyone to "save them".

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is amazing how long it has taken Disney to get with the 21st century. I don't really have an answer to your question on why it has taken them this long to diversify the Disney princesses. However, it is a good start.

    ReplyDelete
  6. i agree with you when you say you only view ariel, belle and cinderella as real princesses. it is the same for me. i never thought of mulan or pocahantas as princesses and still don't, but really they fall in love with a man at the end too. i think this is where race comes in a little bit, and it is not fair at all. disney is very very clever at hiding certain issues with stories and movies.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's very evident that you've been affected by the "secret education" we learned about. I'd like to ask, now that you've recognized that you never really thought of Mulan and Pocahontus as Princesses, do you think this is ultimately more or less harmful then if their storied had been extra pinked-out? I don't have an answer, I'm just curious.

    ReplyDelete