Two-Patch Crown

Last Saturday Disney added Merida from Pixar’s movie Brave to their princess collection. In doing so, they changed her image to more closely match the other princesses. Her untamed red hair looks like it just swallowed a liter of mousse. Her realistic shape has become suddenly voluptuous, and her modest gown altered to display bare shoulders. Her bow and arrows are mysteriously missing. Even her eyes are more (is there any other way to say it?) sexy. From cradle to grave women hear two things: “Your looks are the only important thing about you,” and “You’ll never be pretty enough.” Merida had a very different message. The original Merida was designed by a woman as a role model for young girls. She looked like the kind of girl who couldn’t care less about her looks. But now, in order to sell merchandise to children, she’s become nothing more than a sex symbol. I expected better from Disney.