During these 60 years of Disney producing films, there have been a variety of Princesses including Asian, Native American, and Black. However, a Hispanic Princess has not been publicized, until now. However, there is an issue on how she has been aired compared to the rest of the Princesses. Sofia The First: Sofia was first mentioned as the first "Latina" Princess. However, many argued in the Latino community that Sofia did not have Latin features. Sofia has auburn hair, light skin, and blue eyes. After many controversies of Sofia, Disney directors clarified that Sofia was mixed race. It was cleared up that the mother was from Spain and the father, Scandinavia (white). Although, Sofia does have a bit of Spanish blood from her Spaniard mother, Sofia is still considered "full white". Disney's intention on saying Sofia was mixed race, but still looking white, shows me the dominance of white supremacy. Why did they not change her color of hair to black or the color of her eyes to brown. In addition, the person doing Sofia's voice was a white women. Other princesses like in the film Aladdin, Jasmine's voice was also casted by a white women. Elena of Avalor: Elena Castillo Flores has been officially nominated by Disney as the new Latina Princess. She was aired on Disney Channel on July 22. Elena's background does not specify what her culture is. Everyone is assuming by her given name and features, that she is Latina. In Disney Channel they just mention her as the new ruler of the Kingdom of Avalor, after her parents die. Mostly, the Disney princesse's of color had a non-fictional based culture. Haiston, for example, states "Mulan was based on the Chinese warrior woman Hua Mulan. Pocahontas was based on the Native American woman of the same name, the daughter of a chief. And Tiana was partly based on New Orleans chef Leah Chase, who also started out as a waitress and later opened her own restaurant" (Hairston). What is Elena based on? Hard question. Elena does not have a certain culture base. In fact, it seems to be a mixture. As stated by Tahirah Hairston, there is a mixture of both "influences from Chile (“an elf-like shapeshifting creatures based on a Chilean peuchen myth”) and Mexico (“a spiritual guide based on the beliefs from a Mayan tribe)." (Haiston.) Take for example, Moana Waialiki, she is a Polynesian "Princess". The Moana film, takes place in the Islands of Southern Pacific. She is the only child and her father is the Head Chief, similarly to Pocahontas. Although she is not considered an actual Princess with a kingdom, she does become the Head Chief after her father. This film will be added directly into the Disney Films. The movie will be releasing November 22, the day of Thanksgiving. What about Elena, you may ask? I ask myself that question as well. Elena is being aired as a TV show, but why not as a Movie Film? All the official Princess's of Disney have their own Movie Film. Elena being aired simply on Disney Channel makes it seem less of an importance compared to the rest. Even though, she is the first new Hispanic Princess. Some people do not have access to Cable which prevents, specifically Latina girls from viewing their new Hispanic Princess at home. A film gives it an easier access. For example, watching it at a movie theater, where the whole family can enjoy it.
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4 Comments
10/12/2016 08:12:28 pm
It truly is interesting that a "fully" Hispanic princess has not really been shown in any Disney film just yet. The reason why I'm saying this is because the proclaimed Elena as the first Hispanic princess has no cultural background furthermore; her name doesn't have anything to do with what she can be identified as. As an example I look white and I have green eyes with brown hair, people mistake me for white, but in reality I'm 100% Hispanic. Racism has developed to a point that our looks and names is what make us Hispanic or Latino and not our culture. In the end, you never know if Elena the princess is a really tanned brunette Caucasian and her name was inspired by the parents Hispanic friends , you just never know.
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11/6/2016 12:07:21 am
Since Spain belongs to Europe and people who are European considered to be white, that could be why Sofia is considered "full white." I felt like the audience would accept Sofia as a first Latina princess if she was from one of the countries in South America. Although Sofia might carries a "white-looking" features, she could be Latina as well. I've had friends whom have blonde hair, blue or green eyes, light skin, and they have gotten mistakenly to be white. But, they are actually Hispanics or Latinos/Latinas. People always have this mindset that if you are this certain race, you have to look a certain way. If you look different, your race would be questioned. As for Elena, the character seems to feed off the conspiracy that you have to look this way to represent your race. Her character fuels that "theory" to be a 100% true. It accidentally gives the conspiracy more power to live and carry on.
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Robert Gonzalez
12/7/2016 04:31:41 pm
Hey Leslie, the article you wrote really had me thinking about Disney princesses more. My little niece watches Sofia The First, ALL the time, and I thought Sofia was a white Princess. I thought the new Moana was a Latina Princess. As you can tell, I don't pay attention at all. After reading this, It made me look at Sofia in a different way. I had no idea that she was intended to be Latina, and by the looks of it, she looks full white. I like how their are some non-white princesses apart of Disney, but there can be more. For example, the part where you talked about Elena. I think it's interesting how Disney says she is a Latina Princess but they never talked about where she was from specifically. That was a good point to throw in there as it caught my attention real quick.
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Linda Reynoso
12/8/2016 11:03:41 am
I really enjoyed your blog post because I am a huge fan of Disney and most of their movies. However, I was not aware that there is so much racism an lack of a certain ethnicity. It began to make me think and really wonder what I am watching and who is behind all of these films. Since I am Hispanic, it really hit home for me because I could easily relate to the topic, as well as all of the other characters. Overall, you made a great point and it definitely changed my perspective on all of the Disney characters.
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AuthorI am Leslie Belmontes a student in Asian American Studies. This Blog will emphasize in Racial issues, that occur frequently on daily basis. Archives
December 2016
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