Cartoon Heroes

For cartoon heroes, you can't beat Kirikou, he spunk, clever, and vulnerable in a way kids can understand. The film is deep and speaks to the state of black men & women, in a way that doesn't frighten children. I of course love Huey, from the Boondocks, but he isn't exactly always kid friendly. There was Static Shock, who was incredible before he went off the air. While I don't know of any little girls who wouldn't adore Kirikou, they often have
slightly different heroine needs, clothing, and a hint of makeup are usually part of the deal, which baby Kirikou & Static don't offer.

Disney is finally rolling out with an animated film starring its first black Princess, The Frog Princess will Debut in 2009. It will tell the story of Maddy, a young woman in the French Quarter of the jazzy 1920s. It is based on the Russian fairy tale. Maddy's voice will be that of Anika Noni Rose. I am well pleased, and holding my breath, like every one else, who winces every time they hit the doll aisle, with a little cousin, daughter, or niece. We have been pushing a black princess for a while and it took Disney long enough, but she'll be here soon. Once among the Disney Princesses, Maddy's not guaranteed to stop your grimacing when you hit the doll shelves. The princesses line often only has four representatives, and the non-whites, Mulan (asian), Jasmine (middle eastern), & Pocahontas (native american), don't often make the cut.

With ample material of African descent, I wonder why a Russian fairy tale? Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters would have probably been my choice or the story of Sarah Culberson, an american who found out she was princess of Bumpe village in Sierra Leone, and set about restoring the desimated village schools. There's the story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Nefertiti, Nzinga, etc. Which story would you want to see?