Disney Princesses

Growing up I remember being in the car on long road trips having "The Little Mermaid" on repeat distracting me from the countless hours I spent in my father's truck. I would throw on my headphones and look at the mini TV attached to the backside of the driver's seat intently, signing every word to "Part of your world", hating Ursula, and loving Prince Eric (all while annoying my parents, of course). Watching scenes from the movie now, with my new and improved womanist lenses, thanks to Ms.Kobus, has ruined my childhood. For some reason, I did not question the fact that Ariel, a 16-year-old, was willing to become a human, leave her family, and lose her voice for a man she never met. Although now such a movie seems absurd to even entertain, it makes me question what kind of messages taught me as a 7-year-old. When did I begin to abandon the values that Disney movies like the Little Mermaid profess? Is it because of messages like these that I have decided to hold many of the roles I have today? I am an avid activist who aims to become a lawyer someday. Yet, there is not a Disney princess who represents that or acknowledges that type of woman is princess-material. The majority of Disney princess's problems are solved the minute a man is there to save them, or as many like to call the "damsel-in-distress" complex. As problematic is this, Disney has made steps to making more independent women such as Princess Jasmine, Moana, Mulan, and Princess Tiana. These women represent the theme of self-fulfillment and exterior goals more than they represent the damsel-in-distress. Although "The Princess and the Frog" is shown to be the least popular Disney movie sales-wise, it is the only movie where one of the princesses is more worried about making enough money than finding her own prince. I believe Disney should provide more characters like Tiana who are aiming to send a more powerful message to young girls and boys who watch these movies. Women should be empowered to follow their dreams without a man helping to fulfill these dreams. I believe Moana is the first movie to begin breaking those barriers. I need movies I will be proud to show my daughters. I want to be able to say, "That is the type of woman you should strive to be."