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*Even before it opens later this week (In New York and Los Angeles), Disney's new animated feature, "The Princess and the Frog," is already considered something of a cultural and animation landmark.

After centering cartoons on a Middle Easterner ("Aladdin"), a Native American ("Pocahontas"), an Asian ("Mulan"), and a Hawaiian ("Lilo & Stitch"), Disney animation has entered the post-racial era.

The new film features a black protagonist alongside the green one.

It has been a long time coming, but it is an event that, if you believe Disney detractors, would have old Walt spinning in his grave (or his cryogenic chamber).

That's because there is a long-standing belief among those detractors that Walt Disney was anything but the amiable, avuncular, kind-hearted figure he appeared to be on his television program and in his promotions. The real Disney, so this version goes, was a rabid reactionary who was intemperate, crabbed and mean -- racially and ethnically insensitive at best, a racist and anti-Semite at worst. Under his supervision, the Disney studio was inhospitable to minorities, few of whom were said to have worked there and they were virtually verboten on the screen, except to be ridiculed. Disney's was a white, Protestant, middle-class studio and fantasy. Minorities need not apply.

How much of this portrait was the product of a smear campaign by Walt's enemies and how much a product of Walt's own unenlightened attitudes is difficult to determine. What one can say is that the truth about Walt Disney seems much more complicated and nuanced than either his enemies or supporters would have you believe.

For MORE of this LA Times essay, go HERE.

Watch the trailer for 'The Princess and the Frog':

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	'PRINCESS AND THE FROG' PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON WALT DISNEY: Some say he was racist; LA Times article says it's more complicated than that. (November 20, 2009) Email to a friend \| Print Friendly Even before it opens later this week (In New York and Los Angeles), Disney's new animated feature, "The Princess and the Frog," is already considered something of a cultural and animation landmark. After centering cartoons on a Middle Easterner ("Aladdin"), a Native American ("Pocahontas"), an Asian ("Mulan"), and a Hawaiian ("Lilo & Stitch"), Disney animation has entered the post-racial era. The new film features a black protagonist alongside the green one. It has been a long time coming, but it is an event that, if you believe Disney detractors, would have old Walt spinning in his grave (or his cryogenic chamber). That's because there is a long-standing belief among those detractors that Walt Disney was anything but the amiable, avuncular, kind-hearted figure he appeared to be on his television program and in his promotions. The real Disney, so this version goes, was a rabid reactionary who was intemperate, crabbed and mean -- racially and ethnically insensitive at best, a racist and anti-Semite at worst. Under his supervision, the Disney studio was inhospitable to minorities, few of whom were said to have worked there and they were virtually verboten on the screen, except to be ridiculed. Disney's was a white, Protestant, middle-class studio and fantasy. Minorities need not apply. How much of this portrait was the product of a smear campaign by Walt's enemies and how much a product of Walt's own unenlightened attitudes is difficult to determine. What one can say is that the truth about Walt Disney seems much more complicated and nuanced than either his enemies or supporters would have you believe. For MORE of this LA Times essay, go HERE. Watch the trailer for 'The Princess and the Frog':* ------------------ THE SOUL TRAIN AWARDS ARE BACK! The Soul Train Awards are back and better than ever! Bridging the gap between the soul of yesterday and today, and paying homage to our distinctive American music legacy. The 2009 Soul Train Awards are guaranteed to deliver Love, Peace, and SOUL! Premiering on Centric TV Sunday, November 29th for info go to http://CentricTV.com/SoulTrainAwards. Click for the latest entertainment headlines Click for the latest Obama - Political headlines Speak Out Currently, 5 comments have been made on this story. View Comments or Post Comments.	'The Princess and the Frog' ... Powered by Mochila
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'PRINCESS AND THE FROG' PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON WALT DISNEY: Some say he was racist; LA Times article says it's more complicated than that.