Dear Moby,
Several years ago, I adopted an African-American girl after fostering her from the age of 6 mos-she just turned 14 - she and Gracie share a birthday. She is the second oldest of our 5 children and the oldest of the two girls. She, like our 6 year old daughter whose middle name is Grace, has many challenges in life. She had her picture taken with Santa Moby when she was a toddler.
I say this because after years of "wishing upon a star", Disney has finally created its first African-American princess - Princess Tiana. Her movie is due out Dec. 11. Now my 14 year old has a beautiful princess to admire just as my 6 year old has her Cinderella. No longer must my black child have only white folks to emulate, she now has a princess just like her.
I have never allowed the girls to have the Disney Princess stuff unless it was just Cinderella on it (for my white daughter) or just Belle (my black daughter's favorite until now) because I felt the message was that only white people, Indian people, and Asian people could be perfect like a princess. Now she can see that black women can be perfect too. One thing - we kind of forgot to tell her she was black (not to mention handicapped because she is handicapable) and our kids haven't noticed either. They are colorblind and love her for who she is, the way it should be. However, I have a responsibility to keep her heritage a part of her no matter how disabled or unaware of it she is.
This new princess has had a lack of publicity and I found out by accident the other day that merchandise was already out without mention of the movie.
With Disney meeting such a significant milestone in its history this surprises me - sort of. Next time Mary Beth gives the gossip, can you ask her to include this movie? My girls won't sit thru it - "too loud mommy", but I hope that your young princess gets to view this movie. As soon as it is available on DVD, I know a 14 year old who will be asking for it!
Sincerely, Kim Ferbrache'. ("Fur bra shay")