Dear Disney,
I have always been your biggest fan. I have seen practically every movie, memorized almost every one of your songs, and have considered Disneyland my second home–visiting multiple times a year. Never once have I complained about the questionable things you have done, instead, I try to support every project of yours. Until now.
Recently you unveiled your newest princess, Elena of Avalor. Great! The first Latina princess! I, too, am Latina. I remember when I heard the wonderful news. I was waiting for one of my classes to start when a friend texted me an article explaining your newest project. A smile immediately spread across my face as the little girl inside me read the headline she’s waited years for.
Sadly, that smile began to diminish as I continued reading the article. What? This can’t be right. Disney’s first ever Latina princess was only getting a 30 minute animated show on Disney Jr.? Elena of Avalor deserves to reach more than two to six-year-olds.
I am biracial: my father is Caucasian, my mother Hispanic. But for years, I only identified with one of the two. You see, I grew up in suburbia. A majority of my friends were white, blonde and blue eyed. I, on the other hand, have dark brown hair with matching eyes and permanently tanned skinned. Growing up, I was different. Not an easy concept for a child to grab.
I spent all of my time watching your movies, with your princesses being some of my favorite. They were all so beautiful and wonderful. Unfortunately, they were all light skinned. As a result, I grew up thinking I was ugly.
Playing dress up was one of my favorite games, but it always went the same. The blonde girls fought over who was Cinderella and who was Sleeping Beauty. The brunettes fought over Snow White and Belle. My one Asian friend always got to be Mulan. When I asked to be anyone, I was always told I was too dark to be her. Disney princesses are celebrities to young girls.  Let’s be real, they are even celebrities to adult women. We want to be just like them. Sadly, none of them were like me.
Jump to 2009: you The Princess and the Frog, starring the first African-American princess. This was huge. The publicity around this movie was incredible, and rightfully so. Young African-American girls finally had a Disney character they could look up to, someone who was just like them. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous.
Then the day comes when you finally announce you are creating a Latina princess. Yes! Finally! But wait, she’s not getting a movie. She will not have her story playing in theaters across the country. She will most likely not have a character signing autographs at your theme parks. She’s only getting a 30 minute time slot once a week on Disney Jr., a channel for preschoolers.
So here’s my issue with this, Disney: hispanic representation deserves more. Yes, you are making a Latina character, but she deserves to reach every demographic. Preschoolers are not the only ones who should get to hear her story and learn about Hispanic heritage. You have the opportunity to tell an amazing story and create a figure girls like me can look up too. But instead, you’re confining her. You are silencing her story, taking her voice away like poor, lovestruck Ariel (see what I did there).
For 19 years, I have patiently waited for you to create a character I could relate to. You finally do, and this is what you do to her.
I will always love you, Disney, but you can do better than this.
Sincerely,
A disappointed fan