There was a lot of uproar about Disney “sexing” up Merida in their lead up to her official induction into the Disney Princess Pantheon. But, at the Disney coronation ceremony last week, which I attended as part of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, she was exactly as you would imagine – wild haired, bold, in her everyday velvet dress and riding a horse.
photo courtesy of Disney
My daughters never went through a princess phase, but Merida they relate to. Archery is one of their favorite sports – and my daughter could easily give Merida a run for her money in the biggest, curly hair category.
The word princess is weighed down with years and years of anti-feminist meaning – damsel in distress, pampered and spoiled, helpless and silly. And if you’re also Jewish – well that just adds a whole other level of stereotype. Thanks, Bravo.
But, I will be the first to admit I was all in for Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty when I was growing up. Just like a was all in for Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman and Princess Leia – not to mention Sandy in Grease. The “princesses,” didn’t differ in my mind from any other title and lead female character – they were all important enough to have the story revolve around them, or be key characters that drove the story. And in the end, that is the most empowering message – you drive the story of your life.
So, I love this new I am a Princess Campaign from Disney. I’ve written before about the power of owning a word that was used to put you down. Girls defining what it means to be a princess now, to them, for them – that has the potential to be truly powerful. Watch the video and tell me what you think.
