Disney Disappointments a.k.a. The Latina Princess Fail

I think some of my most popular posts ever (at least that generate non-book-related traffic) at A Girl, Books and Other things have been about Disney, their movies and how I feel about their Princesses. Without pussyfooting about it: I love the Disney Princesses (and I have explained why in the past). 

So imagine my surprise this morning, when I was having breakfast, enjoying the pre-Día de los Muertos/Halloween vibe all over the city, and reading the paper when I came across the news that Disney was launching it's latest Princess: Sofia The First, as a series aimed toward younger kids, to air on Disney Junior. And guess, what? Sofia is Latina! Imagine now my moment of great happiness - as I'm, you know, from Mexico and all. 

Then imagine my crushing disappointment when Sofia turned out to look like this: 

Adorable, right? And in the world according to Disney, Latina. 

I don't know about you, but to me that's not Latin@ at all! 

And I don't mean that all Latins have black hair and a dark complexion, I know this because I don't have either, and I dont doubt there are red(ish) headed, blue eyed Latin people out there, and I know that Latin comes in all kind of shades. Latin looks are so elastic because we are such an eclectic mix, so I understand not wanting to go into stereotypes about what Latin is an isn't - I get that.

But when your best shot at 'latina' looks basically caucasian then I'm sorry, but I'm calling shenanigans.  

And Half-assed  explanations  about  how "what's important to know is that Sofia is a fairytale girl who lives in a fairytale world" rather than if she's latina or not, don't really cut it.

- Alex

Ps: Tomorrow I'll go back to book reviewing, I promise.

PS2 - In case any one wants to see the trailer: