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Last summer, Disney Pixar released the animated film Brave, and introduced a very new kind of Disney heroine. But just in time for her royal crowning as Disney’s 11th princess, Merida got an elaborate makeover, complete with the thin frame and wide eyes characteristic of most Disney princesses.
In response, A Mighty Girl, which according to its website is “the world’s largest collection of books, toys, movies, and music for parents, teachers, and others dedicated to raising smart, confident, and courageous girls” has launched a petition on Change.org asking Disney to maintain Merida’s original appearance.
In the letter on Change.org, A Mighty Girl writes, “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.”
Currently, the petition has over 50,000 signatures and counting.
