Our Fixation With the "Princess" Genre



At 28 years old, I can say I grew up with Disney princesses. We were first in line to see Jasmine, Ariel, and Belle, and I of course I wanted to be just like them. I was even elated when Disney had it's first African-American princess Tiana.

The Disney Princesses have come under a lot of scrutiny for being lovely but helpless (with the exception of who?? Mulan maybe?) lasses waiting for princes in shiny armor to free them from some form of oppression showing how these women can only become who they're destined to be with the help of a man. This Princess culture is so dominant that the bridal boutique Alfred Angelo even has a line of Disney wedding gowns for those wishing for their special day to really look like a fairytale.

With Disney slowly bowing out of the prince-saving-the-princess-while-singing-a-great-song-genre, enter Pixar with it's amazing visuals and story lines with the likes of Toy Story and Cars.

Seventeen years in the game and Pixar finally has a female protagonist and her name is Merida from the movie Brave.

The film's overall theme is Changing Your Fate, that's true enough and stated pretty much throughout the film, but Merida also learns how to accept responsibility and the consequences her actions as an underlying theme to the story...which I'm all in favor of! I love that Brave shows that a girl's value is not in her femininity and having a man "save" her, but in the choices she makes for herself. Young girls need a role model that shows they don't have to live with the cards that are dealt by someone else and can make a positive change in their lives by their own actions, something little boys have grown to see on TV quite often.

Being the first, the movie has opened itself up to a slew of feminist stances. Why??? Because it's still a princess-y genre.  Set in medieval Scotland, where Merida has just come of age and her mother is preparing to marry her off to any of three candidates from the other clans, this movie is not a fairy tale romance. The story is about the tradition intended to keep the peace among clans with a history of warfare, and therefore making it’s Merida’s duty to marry, which she outright objects. Although this is the first movie to acknowledge the political ramifications of marriage...this is also the part I'm not too crazy about.

Are we failing girls by continuing to make heroines princesses?? Even though many would think, it's just a cartoon movie for children, it's obviously so much more. Looking back at Pixar's track record of heroes we have a cowboy (Toy Story), a rat (Ratatouille), a green ogre (Shrek), and a fish (Finding Nemo). With Brave being the first movie to have a female lead just shows us that movie makers are still struggling to tell a story about a girl without making her a princess....and a human at that.

Please don't think I'm hating. I don't think the movie is a failure at female empowerment...I LOVE the movie and what it stands for with its constructive message of leading your own journey. With positive female role models in the media being hard to come by, this film is a step in the right direction to leveling the gender disparity in the media. I just want to see more Mulans and Meridas in cartoons going forward without them being princesses from far away lands.

How Brave measures up against Disney princess culture...I'll let you decide if these are good or bad traits:

1. Merida has both parents in her life. So many Disney princess only have one.
2. Unlike many Disney princesses, Merida struggles with the relationship with her Mother, instead of her Father as is the case with Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Jasmin (Aladdin), and Mulan (Mulan).
3. The character of Merida is already confident, brave, and sure of herself. So instead of spending the movie "finding" herself and coming to the realization of how amazing she is, she spends the movie working to convince others of this, not herself.
4. Like Mulan, Merida is an "action princess"...sword wielding, cliff jumping, arrow throwing, you get my point.
5. Like many fairy tales, Brave also has an evil witch character that the protagonist makes a deal with. Unlike Ariel (The Little Mermaid), who makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula for her own soul, Merida makes the deal with her Mother's soul, changing her into a grizzly bear. Shaking off responsibility much???

What's your take on this?? And where do you see the future of cartoon heroines going??
P.S. I'm so glad that some pageant systems like Miss International and Miss Black USA are doing their part to showcase women with brains AND beauty...I think this is also a step in the right direction!

Miss Representation

I am so excited to announce that I am a Louisiana Social Action Rep for MissRepresentation.org! What is Miss Representation?? 

Miss Representation is the award-winning documentary film that exposes how mainstream media contributes to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman or girl to feel powerful herself.

Here's the trailer!

MissRepresentation.org is the social action campaign of the documentary film. Its mission is to shift people’s consciousness, inspire individual and community action, and ultimately, transform culture so everyone, regardless of gender, can fulfill their potential.

As a Rep for Louisiana, it is my duty to not only use social media to help girls tell their story, but to be active in the community to influence change.

MissRepresentation.org is a call-to-action campaign that seeks to empower women and girls to challenge limiting labels in order to realize their potential, and to encourage men and boys to stand up to sexism.

Right now, I am working to organize a screening of the film, hopefully at LSU. I have reached out to It Only Takes A Girl activist Gabriella Runnels for her take on how/where I can get this done...there's some licensing to be done to show the film publicly...

Sooooo my work begins! I'm thankful to this campaign for adding new dynamic to my platform! Originally I just wanted to educate women, which is what we're aiming to do with The Cinderella Project, but with Miss Representation I can also help them understand why they need to be leaders, and why they should speak about disparities in education, leadership roles, and the workplace and how the MEDIA affects this. I love these two groups and glad to be working with them both!

Want to get involved in Louisiana?? Shoot me an email and let's chat it up about how you can help me make a community impact! There's much to do! MissLAIntl2013@gmail.com 


Ash

Blanket Brooklyn!

Team Happy Foundation and I encourage everyone to send warmth, comfort and love - from the Big Easy to the Big Apple. For more information:http://BlanketBrooklyn.org

The Politics of Education

As your Miss Louisiana International 2013, it is my

responsibility to inform citizens of The Politics of Education. 

Many constituents are unaware that laws made at the state 

level greatly affect educational programs. As part of my 

platform, I would like to convey the need of voter 

participation in the community. Please join me on my 

journey to the crown by helping me promote my platform 

throughout the state. Please DONATE TODAY to help me 

make an impact! http://fnd.us/c/bMps9

Want to improve education? Start with WOMEN. Here's my approach...

I am more than just a pageant queen. I am on a mission to improve education in the state of Louisiana.

As Queen I Intend to Lead The Fight:
Education is important for everyone, but it is especially significant for young girls and women. Educational achievements for women can have ripple effects within the family and across generations.

The Correct Approach:
A woman’s progression toward a college degree starts long before she steps on a college campus.

1. Pre-K: High quality pre-school programs have long lasting effects by improving student outcomes well into adulthood. I will strive to inform mothers of the importance of early childhood development for their daughters.
   
2. The need for sustained support throughout a child’s K-12 years is imperative to their future higher educational success. I will focus on finding ways to ensure our young girls are prepared for college through mentoring programs & college-prep courses.

3. The Politics of Education: Many constituents are unaware that laws made at the state level greatly affect educational programs. As part of my platform, I would like to convey the need of voter participation in the community.

The Impact

As Miss Louisiana International 2013, I:

Serve as a spokesperson for The Cinderella Project to promote educational outreach and community projects designed to empower young women.

Work with Stand For Children Louisiana as their spokesperson to educate and empower parents, teachers, and community members to demand excellent public schools.

As Miss International 2013, I will:

Expand my efforts with Stand for Children nationwide, as our nation’s future depends on providing all children with access to excellent schools and educators regardless of where they live.

Continue to support the Miss International Organization by serving as the voice of the Go Red for Women campaign of the American Heart Association.

Please help me maximize my reign as queen and get to the national pageant! I won't be able to compete unless I raise the funds to get there! PLEASE help me get to the national pageant by making a donation by January 1!

DONATE TODAY!

The Perks

....for your contribution!

Please help me get to the 2013 Miss International Pageant, and I could help you in return! Want more info? Then visit my indiegogo page TODAY!

The PERKS of supporting a queen!

The Cinderella Project Leadership Academy is a HUGE success!

The mission of The Cinderella Project is to support young women statewide with resources they may not exist for them otherwise.  The goal is to provide educational outreach and community-based projects that are designed to empower young women with increased self confidence and to instill an appreciation for community service and the importance of giving back. 

Founded in January 2008, The Cinderella Project is a 100% volunteer-run organization.  One of our most successful and effective projects is our Annual Prom Dress Drive and Giveaway during which we collect donated evening gowns and provide them to high school students who cannot otherwise afford them.

Looking to add more dynamic to the organization, founders Sarah and Shelton decide to focus on "the dress that never goes out of style": EDUCATION, thus the Leadership Academy was formed. This is the reason why I'm so devoted to helping this organization and am proud to be a spokesperson!

After a year of planning and fundraising, last weekend, 25 young ladies attended the inaugural class of the The Cinderella Project of Baton Rouge Leadership Academy! The Academy is an intensive college prep-workshop at Louisiana State University October 25 to 27 for 20 underserved female high school students that is co-hosted by The Cinderella Project and the LSU Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach.

The Academy immersed young women in a college setting, exposed them to educational opportunities post-high school and inspire them to pursue their future academic goals.  The Academy is also assisting them in making the transition from high school to college by demystifying the college application process, connecting them with resources and discussing the expectations of college students. More than 150 applications from young women statewide were received and 25 Academy scholars were selected. Attendees represent 16 schools in 8 parishes from North Louisiana to the bayou.

During the weekend the ladies attended a college class, learned requirements to get into college, attended workshops and seminars on professional dress, responsible use of social media, and a slew of other topics.

I had the honor of speaking to the ladies about looking your best. We discussed dressing for the job you WANT, not the job you HAVE, and what your appearance says about you...because after all, you send a message in everything you do and how you appear to others. What are you saying by looking like a slob?? I stressed the importance of DRESSING THE WAY YOU WISH TO BE ADDRESSED.

After speaking to the ladies about the importance of looking your best!



Me at the closing academy closing banquet at the LSU Stadium Club



It is such an honor to be on the Advisory Board of such an awesome nonprofit! At the end of the weekend, Sarah and Shelton made the announcement that in addition to the $80 stipend to cover ACT costs, each academy graduate would be receiving a $500 scholarship to attend the college of their choice!

If you would like to contribute to The Cinderella Project College Scholarship Fund at Fidelity Bank, please contact Shelton Jones, 225-439-9700, sjones@cinderellaprojectla.org or Sarah Dupreesaran1@cox.net

Next up for us: The annual dress giveaway!

11th Annual Delta Gent Pageant

Last week I made my FIRST appearance as Miss Louisiana International 2013 as a celebrity judge at the 11th Annual Delta Gent Pageant! I'm so honored to join the Illustrious Iota Theta Divas of Delta Sigma Theta in the fight to end heart disease! Claiming 1 in 4 lives annually, heart disease is the number 1 killer of women in this nation. The disease also disproportionately affects women of color.

In addition to the actual pageant, each contestant raised money for the title of "Mr. Heart Throb". It was $1/vote and all funds went to the American Heart Association, one of my platforms as Miss Louisiana International 2013.



The "Mr. Heart Throb" flyer will the contestants



Having attended and judged more than a few LSU pageants (finished undergrad at LSU in 2007), I can without a doubt say that this pageant was the most well-organized and enjoyable I have ever attended! Not only did the event raise over $1000 for the local American Heart Association chapter, but it allowed the audience to be involved in the show via Twitter! With engaging hosts, a great DJ, and a great cause, you can really tell the ladies worked hard to make the event a success, and I was glad to be a part of it!

Me in the LSU Union Theater during intermission

I am proud to join the Miss International family as a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. Please help me maximize by reign as queen and be the best Heart Ambassador I can be, by DONATING to my cause!  Thanks!