Reflective Blog Post 2

Can we just discuss the differences between the Disney princesses and how some of them aren't even princesses? Also, these villains are very different-- I mean, they're all deceptive, but most critics of Disney try to lump them all under a general category and that's just not possible.

Full disclosure, Jasmine is my favorite Disney princess.
However, she very obviously reflects Indian culture-- which I love and is mostly why she's my favorite-- she's not even Indian. Technically, she's Arabian... living in the Taj Mahal... That's not my point here (but if you want to read about someone else complaining about the misrepresentation, this video does that well). The interesting point is that she's a Disney princess whose princess movie isn't even about her-- it's not even named after her! Aladdin is the primary focus of the movie, which is the only time the male figure is the focus. I think it's beneficial though because it shows how a woman can have the power to raise the status of a man. I mean, technically Aladdin depends on Jasmine to raise him out of poverty and to also get all his charges of petty theft overlooked by the palace guards. YOU GO JASMINE!

So, the consensus is that Jasmine is considered a Disney princess for the purpose of having diversity in the array of princesses, but is it the diversity even note-worthy if the princess incorrectly reflects the culture? Mulan is another example of incorrectly represented diversity. She's Chinese... wearing a kimono. Also, what are the chances of a woman really being able to disguise herself as a man for that long? Also, isn't it kind of a representation of homosexuality that her and Shang fall in love while she's disguised as a man?

A bit touchy for male to male contact, right?

I mean, I have no problem with homosexuality, but I'm sure Disney's conservative American values are directly in conflict with this situation. Mulan as a princess is different than all the rest because she denies gender roles. She literally takes on a man's job and kicks ass at it. So, I support her as one of the most positive princesses. If my daughter was going to fall in love with one, I'd pick her. I was basically a tomboy myself-- a mini, black Mulan playing basketball on an all-boys team as a fifth grader.

I didn't intend for my blog to only discuss the diversity amongst Disney princesses but now I feel obligated to continue. Disney does an amazing job of adequately depicting New Orleans and Tiana in their first dip into black representation. Ironically, the diverse movies are the ones with the strongest messages for young girls. Tiana presents a message of how hard work makes your dreams come true. A dream beyond true love is startling for a Disney movie; I mean, yes, Tiana finds love, but she wasn't looking for it. So, I think I recant my previous statement. I'd want my daughter to be Tiana: Follow every dream she has with all of her heart and fall in love along the way.

Get you a princess who can do both...

;)

An odd coincidence between all of these princesses are their male villains. Jasmine's villain (or Aladdin's really) is Jafar. Tiana's (also kind of Naveen's and not hers) villain is Dr. Facilier. Mulan's villain is the Huns and Shung Yu-- which are kind of the entire country's villain. So honestly, it appears that the Disney princesses that embody strong feminist values lack direct attack by a villain. Of course their lives are affected, but the intentions of the villains of the various movies aren't to ruin the princesses' lives. So I guess it's easier to be feminist when you aren't busy fighting off your villain. Then again, Tiana and Mulan both remain pretty strong in their feministic ways even while struggling in their battle against the enemy.

So, young girls I say to you: Be a Tiana. Be a Mulan. Be a Jasmine. Except, really just be a Tiana because dressing up like a man to do male things isn't exactly normal and Jasmine didn't actually do much except riding a flying carpet, which is cool, but not very distinctive.