Sydney Chambers

Staff Writer

    Meet Disney’s newest and youngest princess, Sofia the First, starring in the newest Disney movie, “Sophia the First, Once Upon a Princess.”  The movie was shown November 18th on Disney Channel.  The movie is a prequel to a new television show that will be on Disney Junior in 2013, also starring Sofia. 

    Set in the storybook world of Enchancia, Sofia’s average life is turned upside down when her mother marries King Roland II.  She must learn to live and behave as a princess would, with the help of the three good tree fairies from another Disney classic, Sleeping Beauty.

    Don’t get me wrong - I am a huge Disney fan who has been excited to see every princess movie, even as a high school student. The problem arises when Sofia’s ethnicity is brought up.  According to the executive producer of the TV movie, Jaime Mitchell, this is Disney’s first “Latina” princess.  On the other hand, Nancy Kanter, Disney Junior’s worldwide senior vice president, claims that she is not Latina and Mitchell just “misspoke.”  After Disney released the statement saying she is not Hispanic, many Hispanic bloggers were infuriated at this statement. Ruben Navarrette Jr, writer for CNN, says that making Sofia “not Hispanic” makes Hispanics seem like a mistake that must be corrected.

    That isn’t to say she isn’t Spanish at all - Sofia is spelled in the Spanish manner, with a “f” rather than with a “ph.”  Sofia's mom comes from a fictitious land, Galdiz, which was inspired by Spain and is voiced by Latina actress Sara Ramirez of "Grey's Anatomy."  The land Sofia lives in currently, Enchancia, is a “melting pot” land, much like our society today.

    Sofia’s story is more relevant today than many other princess stories who just search for a prince.  Many young girls have to learn how to readjust to a new life after their parents remarry to another person.  Because of this, Sofia will be an inspiration to children having to understand how to live their lives with a new step-parent and new step-siblings.  But, Disney is taking away the chance for a Hispanic girl to see herself on the screen.  As a child my favorite princess was Belle because I looked like her.  A young child’s favorite character, such as a princess or hero, is the one that looks just like them.  My question is, when will Hispanic girls get the chance to see a princess that they can relate to?