An artist's drawing of Merida as a BRAVE princess
I love Merida. If you're not familiar with the Disney princess who broke every traditional princess barrier, I encourage you to download the BRAVE and watch it immediately. I love her not only for her firey red hair (althought it is amazing) but also because Merida is just what the title implies. She's brave. She's fearless, she makes mistakes, she's shortsided, she's stubborn, she's beautiful, she's strong, she's not going to settle for a relationship she didn't choose, and she loves her family. In short, I see alot of me in Merida.
Merida resides on my bookcase in my office to remind me of the importance of always being BRAVE
I also love the fact that Merida didn't look like a princess. She's got uncontrollable red curls (I can relate), a round face with round rosy cheeks and a pale complexion (I can relate) and she'd rather show up the boys by shooting her own bow and arrow (I don't own one but have shown up a boy or two in my time as well). Merida is a bad ass & you know how much I love a bad ass. Cinderella is lovely but who the hell wants to wait around for a prince and an uncomfortable shoe when you can be, well, BRAVE???
The updated "more mature" Merida
Disney has decided to give Merida a makeover. While I'm all for updating and makeover I'm not at all a fan of turning such a strong symbol into a sexpot. Yes, I said it. She's gone from bad ass to diva. Suddenly her dress is lower, her waist is smaller, her face is thinner, and her skin is better. Why? Change.org explains: I'm horrified by this. "The redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction to the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. Moreover, by making her skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior; that for girls and women to have value -- to be recognized as true princesses -- they must conform to a narrow definition of beauty."So I've signed the petition being sent to Disney and am asking that you do the same. No one should feel like they have to change to be a princess, not even Merida.