Our Princess Has Come
Hi All!
I know it may feel like I’ve been MIA for a spell, but rest assured that I’ve been busily writing at some of my other camps online. Be sure to check out my latest review of Disney’s new film The Princess and the Frog, out in theaters this weekend. Here’s a sneak peek, but be sure to head over to UrbanFaith.com to read the full review:
Months before the film officially hit theaters, black women everywhere were already referring to Princess Tiana of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog like her last name was Obama. That’s how momentous the arrival of Disney’s first black princess felt to us. And while we could compare this landmark animated character to the decade’s other cultural trailblazer, I think Tiana is less President Barack Obama and more Will Smith. I imagine that somewhere in the land of happily ever after, she’s saying to Cinderella, tiara fully cocked to the side while sliding on a pair of black Ray Bans like Smith in Men in Black, “You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good.”
I’ll admit I went to The Princess and the Frog fist-clenched, fully prepared to hate it based on the speculative criticism of multiple writers over the past year leading up to the film’s release and my own angst about the cartoon. I’ve waited 26 years to see myself reflected onscreen by Disney, longing to break through the negative self-image the lack of a black princess has reinforced in my life. With only Oprah and a few others to latch onto as a high-profile black woman in America who is the star of the show, I’ve often thrown myself into playing the role of strong, supportive best friend or faithful employee rather than the leading lady in my own life. Black women are never leading ladies; that plotline isn’t available to us. We don’t get the prince or live happily ever after; we don’t get swept up in fairytales. At least that’s the implied message Hollywood traditionally has sent to us.
Obama: God, Hit Me on My Blackberry
After wading through the obligatory questions about the Henry Louis Gates’ drama and additional commentary on Health Care reform, President Barack Obama shared an update on his faith in an interview with ABC News. Asked how the presidency is affecting his spiritual life, Obama confessed to Nightline’s Terry Moran that he no longer prays only before bed, as was his habit. “I pray all the time now,” the president laughed. “I’ve got a lot of stuff on my plate and I need guidance all the time.”
One way the president gets guidance from God is through his Blackberry. And while God doesn’t send Obama instant Blackberry messages (because let’s be honest, God probably uses an iPhone), the president’s Faith and Neighborhood Initiatives Director Joshua DuBois does provide daily spiritual direction right in the palm of the president’s hand.
“He has a devotional that he sends to me on my Blackberry each day.” President Obama explained. “That’s how I start my morning. You know, he’s got a passage, scripture, in some cases quotes from other faiths to reflect on.” It’s this type of communication that keeps the president’s faith nurtured and growing while he and the First Family continue their search for a place of worship.
“We haven’t selected a permanent church home in D.C. I mentioned earlier that with all the transitions for the girls, but also, still trying to figure out how to move this big apparatus called the presidency without being hugely disruptive to congregations. How do we time that, how do we think about that? That’s something we’re still sorting out.”
Meanwhile, the Obamas worship at Camp David when they have the chance. Obama praised the service offered at the small chapel, saying, “There’s a wonderful young pastor up there–chaplain–who does just wonderful work.”
Considering all of the resources at the disposal of the President of the United States, it’s fascinating and a bit sobering to see that he still feels a need to draw on a higher power for navigating the tough decisions of his life. Beyond that, it’s humbling to see that the leader of the Free World recognizes his place as an instrument or tool for God’s plans.
Obama summed up his work in vocational terms, saying, “This is something where you just hope that you are aligning your work with His purposes and that you’re attuned to the needs of the people you’re there to serve.”
Click below to watch the video of Terry Moran’s interview with President Barack Obama. His commentary on faith begins around 1:55.
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