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davidkawena β The Princess and the Frog - 08
Published: 2009-06-08 22:38:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 136353; Favourites: 4692; Downloads: 0
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Photoshop CSDavid Kawena, 2009
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Saying which part? The last two comments were for ~SansForme.
And yes they do have a royal couple like in every disney princess movie. That's the point of the princess. The problem isn't the fact that they are interracial, or mixed or anything. It's the fact that they decided to skip everything, for the prince. What is the issue for having a black prince? Why did they go all out for a prince that no one even knows what race he is? No matter what you say, that was pointless. All that work, for a prince that people are confused about. Really? They did all that work, for who knows what? Yeah, he's a sexy...something. Again, if they took all of their time to make a black princess, then they could have just as easily have done the same thing for the prince. This is the reason why people are so mad. It's nice to have interracial couples. It's absolutely wonderful. But in this situation for a first black princess, one that people world wide have been waiting for, it was the wrong move for the public world wide, because guess what. People were long waiting for that black prince just as much. You might like it, I might like it, the one guy down the street might like it, but we still live in a world where there is still racism, hatred and everything else. And even if you do accept it, it doesn't mean you should automatically do it. Just because it's right, doesn't always mean you should try it. Some things should be left alone, at least, at first.(In disney terms) Especially on a topic this sensitive. You can't change the story linein Pocahontas because that's what happened in real life...well, not really, they changed ALOT in Pocahontas, but the real story would have been too much for kids, but you get my point.
In this case, they should have just gone with black on black. Now, if this was a second movie, then it wouldn't have so many problems. Why? Because that's how it is, unfortunately. V_V
I'm going to go see it regardless. ^_^ Hopefully it will get high marks and reviews.
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I find Naveen to be a bit strange. Not the character himself, just how they made him: He looks hispaic, he has a French accent, but he's voiced by a Brazilian guy... I don't know how that works, but apparently it just does! It's like all the creators got together and said, "Okay! Let's make him as exoticly sexy as possible!" And I do think Naveen is the sexiest male cartoon character all time. I mean...wow... I also love his dimples!
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I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. Looking at your gallery is always so much fun. I'm really excited about this movie and so happy that you draw beautiful things like this! I loved your speech, btw. That's exactly how I feel! They DO have a Pocahontas vibe to them! They're so beautiful together!!!
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That's a very pretty pic keep up the good work. I cant wait for the new movie. ^-^
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And you just said, "if Naveen is hispanic/latino/whatever, who's to say that they don't deserve some royalty of their own?"
Ok, and what? Black people can't have their own royalty and prince as well? You make no sense.
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I don't remember saying that exactly, but never mind...
Black people CAN have their own royalty, of course!
And ---> by the end of the film the do!
What's the problem?! The problem is everyone is making an Elephant out of a Mouse!
Disney has finally brought us 2D animation again, Finally gave us a new Princess, the fact that she's black is as important as Mulan is Asian, as Pocahontas is Native American, and as Jasmine is Arab and Cinderella is Caucasian.
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And the only simple minded one here is those who think interracial coupling is ok and not one race coupling. Nevermind, that's just idiotic. I specifically said I was FOR interracial coupling. Please read carefully before you type things.
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Umm, first thing. I never said they were the first interracial couple.
And you keep saying that she can have someone outside her race, but she can have someone in her own race as well. Why not? Disney had been doing it with the majority of their movies for last 63 years, starting with Snow White and ending with Tarzan, besides Pocahontas and other interracial coupling which is only one percent of the movies that have interracial coupling. So, it's not right to have a one race coupling now? Snow White had it, and Cinderella, and The little Mermaid, and Tarzan and Beauty and the Beast, etc, etc, etc. Even Mulan had a relationship inside her own race, so you get my point. Point blank. And you say just because she's black doesn't mean she shouldn't have a black prince? Did you say that with Mulan? Cinderella? Belle? Ariel? Snow White? No, you didn't. You didn't say a word because it was never brought up, because it wasn't the "issue" because why? There was no need for controversy over a same race couple. It was set in stone.
You said: Disney had John Henry cartoon a few years ago, who features an African American hero, and Atlantis: The Lost Empire features Dr. Sweet, a half African American half Native American, an all American character. Plus in The Princess and the Frog, we do get to have Tiana's father at the begging of the film who is a very positive African America male character, and is in fact the most influential person of Tiana's character as an adult!
Umm, all of those characters are not LEAD roles. They are SUPPORTING roles. There's lots of those. Big deal. That's the point. I said it would be nice to see a LEADING black male figure, not supporting. -_-
And i'm sorry, maybe you don't look for a role model of the same race because you aren't black, and neither do I, and I am black, but MOST of the world do. That's why Disney creates so many roles of different races in the first place, so people can relate, learn, and experience. And when you have never had it, it'd be really cool to see for the first time right? You're getting excited for the first black princess, correct? Why not the prince? Oh, right...there isn't one. Back to square one.
And I was raised that way as well, like I said, my boyfriend is Dominican (latino/hispanic), and i'm all for interracial coupling, but i'm sorry, as much as I wish that was true about a positive role model for any race and gender, etc, that is not the case for majority of the world. You can only speak from one perspective of the issue. You say that you aren't aware that people choose their role models by race? You obviously don't get out that much. Yes, they relate to the hero 100%, of THEIR race, whether intentional or not. and they have been doing it for centuries. Hence the reason why there is racial tensions in the first place. Even in 2009, there's still issues. And you trying to use the whole, "race is blind and doesn't have a color" thing, isn't going to stop racism or any of the other problems.
And again, all of those princess that you have named, are not of interracial coupling. So, no, it's not the same thing. Sorry.
And yes, it is a blessing. But you are proving my point. If you can get so excited just for the princess, why not a prince as well? And if you do get so excited just for the princess, and you can get that same excitement for the prince, why didn't they do that in the first place?
And yes, people have fallen for same thing twice, for NON-interracial couples. So, naturally, when the same thing is repeated over and over again, you get used to it. But when you throw a curve ball like this and the movie hasn't even started and there is already controversy and problems, sorry, this situation, where a black prince, who could have just as easily came into this movie along with Tiana but wasn't, won't be happening again. They won't do the same thing twice, because they will try to make it with little mistakes as possible. You can't please everyone, of course, and there will always be that little group with issues. But when that little issue starts to increase and makes the film makers redo this movie countless times, they are not doing this again in terms of starting out with the biggest event in Disney, having a black princess, and then turn around and not have a black prince or whatever the race the situation might call for.
And ANY time, is the right time. V>V
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"White" prince? I thought Naveen was hispanic/latino. Either way, you're absolutely right. The whole "Her prince should be black too" is just as small minded as anything else I've heard. Inter-racial love is a beautiful thing, and should be addressed as well. Also - if Naveen is hispanic/latino/whatever, who's to say that they don't deserve some royalty of their own?
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Sorry, I messed up that second line. It should say, "On the whole race/problem issue:"
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Absolutely beautiful work!!!!! You did an amazing job. They look amazing.
On the race/problem with fil issue:
Sorry, but as much as I enjoy interracial relationships (My boyfriend is latino and i'm black 
It's upseting for me to hear about the problem with interracial relationships, (my cousin in law is mixed) but it's also frustrating to hear that they half did it.
So, I say. Keep the movie as it is. A interracial couple is wonderful. But they are going to have to make up for this in the next movie that they will do and it's going to have to involve a black prince for sure. (And who knows when that will be. V_V) And honestly, people aren't going to fall for the same thing twice and they are already mad at this movie. What do you think is going to happen if they did another interracial coupling? Not so well. And it would be falling back into the whole, black men-date-other-races-except-their-own thing.
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First thing first -
Tiana and Naveen are NOT the first interracial couple in the Disney history.
We've had Pocahontas and John Smith, and then Milo and Kidagakash...
True, Just because we have a black princess now, doesn't mean we shouldn't have a black prince. But then again, just because she's black dose not mean she can only fall for a black prince too! How would that be?! Because she's black she must have a black prince?! No way! This movie is more about the inside of the person then the outside exterior. I think the message is very strong this way as it is in the film.
Disney had John Henry cartoon a few years ago, who features an African American hero, and Atlantis: The Lost Empire features Dr. Sweet, a half African American half Native American, an all American character. Plus in The Princess and the Frog, we do get to have Tiana's father at the begging of the film who is a very positive African America male character, and is in fact the most influential person of Tiana's character as an adult!
On the subject of kids relating to character, I look at myself and I think that as a child I never really thought of the colour of the character I'm relating too. Maybe it's just me, but I remember myself relating (among others) to Bambi, Thumper and Flower, Dumbo and Oliver as much as I do for Aladdin, Belle, and Pocahontas. I think kids relate to the character for it's inner character, not it's skin colour. And as I said, some of them were animals and not human at all!
Now, as I grew up I must admit that my way of thinking somewhat changed, and as I discovered my sexuality more and more, I felt somewhat of a need to have a "role model" of some sort, who will be just like me. I have no idea in what time and age, if any, a child of any race feels the need to have a role model of the same race... I think we can all relate to the inside of a character we like not just the it's look or race for that matter. We all relate to the hero who is in 99% of the time someone who feel like an outsider in their environment, and eventually get's to celebrate their "difference" by understanding there's such real difference between us all.
Then again, I have to say that I am happy Disney is heaving an African American princess! There's no doubt that the Princess characters have a lot more cultural impact then the Disney guys anyway. Tiana as a character will have a great impact! In fact she already dose - The Halloween customs of her character sold out from the Disney store like nothing before, and if you look at amazon.com for a dvd of a princess and the frog movie, you'll find out there's already a rip-off for the Disney movie, and guess what? It features a black princess too. So yeah, it's a total rip-off with cheap animation, but if Tiana's entrance to our lives means that now there will be a whole more black characters in the spotlight all over the world - cause 99% of the animation industry for kids just copy every move made by Disney - Then I see it as a blessing!
Onelast thing, you said that no one fall for the same thing again, if Disney would do another black princess or a prince... Well, people have fallen in love over and over for every princess love story after SnowWhite, with Cinderella, Sleeping beauty and The Little Mermaid - who "sold" the audience the "same" thing - in terms of white coupling characters. And who knows, maybe African American characters will become a main stream thing?! If you think about it really, the last "white" hero, princess, couple movie from Disney was 10 years ago with Tarzan (and Jane). Since then we've had Polynesian characters in "Lilo & Stitch", Inuit characters in "Brother Bear" and a new race of Atlantean people in "Atlantis: The Lost Empire".
I don't think it's ABOUT TIME Disney will have a black princess, it's THE PERFECT TIME!
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The whole race thing always gets blown out of proportion, this time round even more so. Look at how many changes they've already made because someone somewhere was offended. It's frustrating. Just goes to show you you can't please everyone. I don't know why it's got to be such an issue. We're supposed to be in a modern age, race shouldn't matter. I could go on and on about this, but I won't...
This is so beautiful! They look great against that background. Such clean line art, and the colouring is perfect!
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That is so why I want to see the movie, besides it being Disney's first black princess and them bring back 2D animation for this film. It shows that two people of different races and cultures can love each other for what is on the inside and not for what is on the exterior.
I love the swampy sunset area they are in.
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How lovely. I am looking forward to this film so much-- it makes me so happy that they are finally adding a black Disney princess. And, from what I've seen, the movie looks amazing.
As does your fan-art. I love it.
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I hope someday I can draw well.
You 're the beeeeest!
Juddy Wood
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Wow first of all your description for this piece was so telling & true; I think everyone should just take the new Disney movie for the beautiful work of art that it is and embrace whatever race they decide to make the prince & heroine!
Second of all this is an amazing piece of art and I'm impressed with your Disney-style skills <3 much love!
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I already LOVE this movie, and I havenΒ΄t seen it yet.
This drawing is great I love the way Naveen is looking at Tiana, itΒ΄s just so loving; I have to say that your art is great, and that you are right about this movie, changing the way the things are and perduring Β΄till the future.
P.S sorry if I commit some kind of error simetimes my english isnΒ΄t so good
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Ah so lovely! I love the coupling already too, I agree with your comment 
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Preach on! Its about time interracial couples got some acknowledgement.
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Yeah... But let us not forget about Pocahontas and John Smith, and Milo and Kida!
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lol i totally forgot
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Amazing!
Do you work for Disney, or are you just inspired by them?
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Ironically there's news about about how disney got hundreds of complaints about how naveen was "non-black" or whatever he is. Apparentlly he's white, but disney got so many complaints that they're planing on making him "raceless" since he's from a fake country or their trying to claim he's middle eastern.
Either way, I'm happy to see that you're not against interacial love and this sketch makes me so happy since it's so beautiful 
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This movie makes me so proud! Many people I knew agree that it's wonderful for the girl to be a minority, but then they get a look at the guy and see that he's not black too, and they whine.
Hn.
Lighter guys can like darker girls too! I'm delighted that you're getting a kick out of this movie ^^
It's a fantastic fanart!
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I reaaalllly can't wait to see this movie! ><
And this lovely piece makes me want to see it even more!
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she looks good in green. compared to my pictures your a god. damn i need to learn how to draw humans and not just anime types. at least my fairy looks best or is my best humanish figure ive drawn. once again im inspired
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I though the prince whas spanish cuz he kinnda sounds like Antonio Vanderas. Aniwhay I love the art.
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I only pray that Disney's backbone doesn't snap in two last minute and decide to "play it safe".
Personally, I don't care what color or race or ethnicity or religion the characters are, so long as the STORY and MESSAGE are good.
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Beautiful work, as always. I've commented on the "race debate" that the movie has sparked at length both in a personal journal and here, so I won't belabor the point any more. It would stop being an issue if people stopped actually caring about it.
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AMAZING! I love this, it's gonna be the best birthday gift ever!!... to see classic Disney brought back
When I first saw this all I could think of was WOW, simply beautiful and I wish I had time to rant but all i can say is a agree with your thoughts,I can not wait , and that I absolutely am in love with your work 
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amaziiiiiiiiiing im so in love with your profile i want to show others your pics and i will def give u credit!
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It's fabulous! the prince kinda looks like prince eric.
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Naveen isn't white. :/
But adorable art!
David you're amazing!
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you draw so great..is so real like it were a movie screen shot..great job..
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Wow, beautiful work, I wanna see it when it comes out
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For a second there, I thought it was a promotion image for the movie. Great Job!
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this is such a pretty picture. i love the colors. they are such an adoriable couple! i want to see the movie so badly! i really agree with ur thoughts too.i realy hate racist people! Hopefully one day we will all live in harmony :]
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what comes off racist? those who like seeing unity of blacks or a black couple? that would be better. its not racist at all, just the most natural thing for blacks. blacks are waay too divided as it is, unity needs to be promoted.
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I love this! This is too cute! Their outfits were such a creative design. Man, I can't wait to see this movie!
People are seriously getting worked up because they have a "white" prince? That's ridiculous! It's hard to believe they'd make such a big fuss over a beautiful couple like this. Great job on this picture, though.
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Nice Drawing, of course we all know Walt Disney is rolling his grave, because he hates Black people.
Walt was a Racist Jackass
PS love the lighting and background
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And what makes you say that?
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There's a documentry of him on Youtube
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I totally agree with your thoughts on the idiocy of racist people. I can not wait to see this movie, and it will be amazing.
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omg you're so good!
i didn't know we have that talented people here in israel that know to draw Disney's charecters so good!
i'm jealous
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You probably heard this a lot but it looks like an actual scene in the movie XDDDD i luv it!
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Ohhh I loved your speech
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It's wonderful! It's completely professional -- all of your work. I'm glad I stumbled across your gallery.
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this looks so nice, just like a real movie pic!
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