OK, I know this is being discussed now, but here's a neat little summary from IMDB
Protests Come Early to Disney's 'Princess'
Almost two years before its hoped-for release of its first hand-drawn animated film produced under the supervision of Pixar's John Lasseter, Disney has already drawn fire for alleged racial and ethnic insensitivities that were detected in its original announcement of the film, according to Disney watcher Jim Hill. Since the original title, The Frog Princess, might be regarded as a slur on the French, the title has been changed to The Princess and the Frog. The main character, named Maddy -- who was to become Disney's first black princess -- has had her name changed to Tiana, since Maddy reportedly sounded too much like Mammy. She will no longer be seen as a chambermaid working for a rich, white spoiled Southern débutante. In a statement, Disney, which said that it ordinarily does not comment on its animated films in the early stages of production, observed: "The story takes place in the charming elegance and grandeur of New Orleans' fabled French Quarter during the Jazz Age. ... Princess Tiana will be a heroine in the great tradition of Disney's rich animated fairy tale legacy, and all other characters and aspects of the story will be treated with the greatest respect and sensitivity."
Now I know we had a little forum spat about racial attitudes and political correctness earlier in this post, but I put it, this was just the sort of thing people were wary of. Not the fact the princess was to be black, but having a black princess would have baggage attached to it.
Personally, I think all of the changes made are silly. The Frog Princess - well I knew this was set in Cajun country, but it never once crossed my mind it was likely to insult the French/French speakers. I also think the name change is stupidity beyond belief. How many of us here even entertained the idea of Maddy sounding like Mammy?
Both of the above changes are - to use the common phrase "Political Correctness gone mad", but ultimately harmless.
But I'm not so sure about the latter change. So she can't be a chamber maid anymore? I would have thought the fact that she comes from a poorer working background would be integeral to the plot. After all, most established fairytales have a rags-to-riches storyline. Snow White was basically a house maid at the start of her film, royal blood or not. Cinderella too. Aroura went from royalty to simple country living etc. But nobody complained about this.
If Disney fears being seen as being prejudged against black Americans, they always have the option of adding more black characters to the story, who can be strong, kind, successful... whatever. I would expect the storyline does depend on Maddy/Tiana and perhaps her family too starting off struggling to survive.
Finally, I understand some form of Voodoo will be seen in the film (but I'm not sure). Will Disney shy away from presenting a black voodoo user in its quest to be politically correct?
Please don't be so irresponsible and immature!
