The house that Disney built has been known for many things--most notably for creating dynamic animated features that affect generations of children. However, The Lion King (1994) was one of the last Disney features to truly leave a significant mark on animation and culture. In 2009, Disney introduced The Princess and the Frog; the animation behemoth was going back to one of its staple genres--the Disney Princess. The film did more than rekindle the public's love of Disney animated features. The Princess and the Frog changed the perceived paradigm for the princess. Children were exposed to a princess who was not only a self-determined entrepreneur, but also a princess who was African American.

On March 14, 2010, Disney officially crowned Princess Tiana as a member of the Disney Princess Royal Court at the Palace Hotel in New York. Now, Tiana will be recognized throughout all Disney franchises and be featured in all merchandising with multiple Disney Princesses. This gesture may seem like a small step forward, but in doing so Disney realized a new legacy. Dating back to the days of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, it has been established that a child's self image is an integral part of the learning and growth process. Psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark taught us that an object as simple as a doll has meaning. Everybody knows Barbie, but nobody remembers the occasional African American doll released through the Barbie franchise. As an official Disney Princess, the world will remember Tiana and The Princess and the Frog.

Although some may argue that Tiana had to marry a man with Caucasian phenotypes to become a Princess, they have to accept the importance of the move. Tiana isn't an unreachable character like Snow White, who was a princess of noble birth, or the daughter of a Sultan like Jasmine in Aladdin. Tiana is an ordinary person who wanted to realize her family's dream of opening a restaurant. This Princess's humble New Orleans background and drive made Tiana a relatable heroine for any young viewer.

The Princess and the Frog did many things right. The feature is a Character Approved movie that gave viewers a delightful ride filled with toe-tapping music. It reminds us of the message in Disney's "Wish Upon a Star" credo: It really doesn't make a difference who you are--even if you're not a puppet. More importantly, The Princess and the Frog introduced a much-needed cultural update. Animation has long been the vocal conduit to children. Now, the next generation will have an animated icon that embraces the diverse world we live in.

[Image: Disney]