Disney is soon to be releasing a new film entitled: The Princess and The Frog. It is a gorgeous looking film which marks Disney’s triumphant return to traditional animation. And while that should be the focus of media attention, it appears that more and more stories are popping up around the topic of the African-American cast. Is Disney quietly inserting stereotypical characters into it’s film as a covert form of racism?

Friends, don’t believe the hype. Some filmmakers may play with racism as if it is all a big joke for kids, but Disney is far more careful about such things. Heck, if they could, I am sure they would have removed Song of the South from the history books long ago.

Bottom line: You don’t make the star of your film an African-American if you intend to undermine such progressive moves with subtle racism. This is a period film set in Louisiana, People of that time dressed and spoke and behaved in a manor that was uniquely Cajun. And if someone doesn’t care for characterization of the culture of that period, then I submit that perhaps they should take a look within themselves and examine why they are so uncomfortable. We as Americans should be embracing our diverse cultural background and should not be running and hiding from it.

Let us celebrate Disney for finally creating a beautiful, lavish, and romantic film starring African-Americans, not demonize them for doing so.