The princess and the frog (2009)
In 2009, Disney realised their first ever production with an African American princess as the protagonist and whilst eagerly awaited by many, it could be thought of as a cause for concern regarding what Disney would do and if there would be any potentially offensive stereotypes, as their has been in the past. Although Disney has added to the Disney Princess Franchise with the addition of African American Tiana, ultimately she is not a princess until the very end of the film when she marries Prince Naveen showing that she can not become a princess in her own right, furthermore Tiana's story is a rather humiliating one as she is turned into a frog.
Originally Tiana is supposed to grow up to be a maid like her mother; however, there were many historically negative connotations with the image of a black maid: "African American women were stuck with jobs as maids [...] because of job discrimination." ("Race and Gender in 'The Princess and the Frog', 2009) A black character cast as a maid revives the derogative 'Mammy' figure, reproducing an "image of "Black women that goes beyond the individual - whether the creators intend to or not, such images bring with them associations to the Mammy character and real oppression of African American women in a culture that saw them primarily as servants for more privileged groups." ("Race and Gender in 'The Princess and the Frog', 2009).
Originally Tiana is supposed to grow up to be a maid like her mother; however, there were many historically negative connotations with the image of a black maid: "African American women were stuck with jobs as maids [...] because of job discrimination." ("Race and Gender in 'The Princess and the Frog', 2009) A black character cast as a maid revives the derogative 'Mammy' figure, reproducing an "image of "Black women that goes beyond the individual - whether the creators intend to or not, such images bring with them associations to the Mammy character and real oppression of African American women in a culture that saw them primarily as servants for more privileged groups." ("Race and Gender in 'The Princess and the Frog', 2009).
"Almost There" is a song that echoes post Hurricane Katrina and is relatable to the people of New Orleans, especially as The Princess and The Frog is set in New Orleans. Also Hurricane Katrina was a national tragedy that gained Transnational awareness and therefore the inclusion of this song makes it a transnational theme.