Do As I Say! (NOT As I Do)

As kids we always hated that phrase. At least I did anyway. If you ever had a parent who said that to you, I'm sure you remember thinking:

1. That's not fair!
2. That's stupid! .... or
   
3. If I can't do it you probably shouldn't be doing it either so what's the difference?

Now if you said any of these things or something similar I'm sure your mama said, "I'M GROWN!" as if as a child this wasn't obvious to you. It still didn't make it right.

This all came to mind for me as I was reading my email from yesterday. Wait, first let me say this, I like movies. Certain ones I love. Currently one I'm in love with (before it even hits the big screen) is Disney's The Princess and the Frog. I've been waiting for this one a long time -- since it was announced! That was about two years ago for those who are just catching wind of it. The other is Transformers. So I'm reading my email and there's one from BET (of all places) that says Transformers is racist because it plays on stereotypes. Granted I didn't read their linked story, but something about the email struck a nerve. Maybe it was because of all companies, BET tends to exploit the Black community in my opinion (and other - ask Aaron McGruder) and maybe it was because we (Black folks) always do movies about ourselves that touch on, play off, amplify stereotypes about ourselves! And we're not the ethnicity that does it. That's what a lot of movies do. Unless this movie is heavy-laden with nonsense, why did BET go on this crusade? I have to say I love Tyrese and I'm proud of him. Do ya thang brotha! The scope of his character was broadened compared to Transformers 1 and we should be excited for him. And we shouldn't get self righteous about every little thing. They're doing what we do. We are setting an example. we should be watching what we're doing but we don't. For example if Spike directed this movie there wouldn't be this kind of negativity around it because he'd just be "telling it like it is." Let me say this, most stereotypes are grounded in some truth. We need to see what our truth actually is. The character being played is that brotha. You know he exists somewhere in our community. Do we think that? No, we complain.

Which leads me to Princess and the Frog. Before it's even out, there are people complaining already! The list includes but is not limited to:

• Why isn't the prince Black?
• Why does the girl have to turn into a frog? Its racist because Black people used to be called frogs - its a racial slur. And none of the other princesses turned into anything.
• What's with all the broken English with people/animals singing and dancing everywhere like that's all we do?

You all know how we are, just complaining! Listen-- we need to STOP IT! The prince is from a country no one has been to because it doesn't exist. He has an accent, he's brown skinned and he's cute. That's the reality. But his ethnicity is not listed. The actor voicing him is Brazilian if that helps you. I don't know what country in Africa - Sub-Saharan Africa - would have sent a prince to America back in the 20's and 30's with all the racism (not to mention lynchings) we were dealing with. Do you? And to the South?! Secondly - have you been to New Orleans? Have you heard anyone from the Bayou speak (Black, White or Creole)? Not to mention the Cajun people. You have? OK I think that covers that. And it's a Disney movie. Singing and dancing is what they're about. And finally, nobody is being racist by having her turn into a frog. I wouldn't even know a frog was supposed to be racist if someone hadn't told me that. I remember watching the Street Frogs cartoon as a kid. It was cute and they were doing hip hop. And I know you've seen the singing toys. They have frogs that rap (mice too, but I digress). My point is how, when did this all come about where frogs were a racist remark about Blacks? Can someone help me with that? I don't get it. I don't see it? And I'm sure most people - I'm thinking at least my generation and younger never experienced or heard this so... yeah. Personally I like frogs. Maybe it used to be so, but it's not now. Just like a picnic isn't what it used to be... thank God!

If you know anything about Disney fairytales, you know they usually take pre-existing stories and twist them to make it their own. Copyrights and legalese aside, they make the story more interesting, more fun and in some cases more kid-friendly. Look at the original Little Mermaid and you'll see what I mean. There is no happily ever after in that one and it wasn't such a good ending for that mermaid. So what can you do when a frog prince wants to kiss a princess, and you want the princess to be African American, and mind you there are no princesses in the USA? And has anyone besides me gotten excited because she's the first AMERICAN princess? Anyway, they decided to make that kiss do something unexpected-- she turned into a frog too. I think that's funny and I was kind of shocked when I saw the trailer because I know how the original story goes. This also explained the original name for the film, The Frog Princess, which everyone got so bent out of shape over. It actually fit really well.

So can we stop the madness? Quit finding stuff to complain about all the time maybe? Let's get ourselves together and be where we really need to be. Fight for real causes. Let's not be hypocrites. And BET -- really? REALLY? Talking about them would be another discussion but I'll leave that for Aaron. For now I'll just say let's try and lead by example.

** On a side note, I'll probably be talking about both of these movies again, especially the princess one. And if you liked kidizms... Princessizms .... just keep reading.