Princess Power, and the

Power of Inclusion

For TV time recently I found myself and my daughter looking for a show that will educate her, and even more difficult, catch her toddler attention. And as I switched on Netflix we were introduced to “Princess Power”, an animated show of a bunch of princesses saving the day with crowns, dresses, and when the time calls for it, pants as well!

Having debuted Jan 30, 2023, Princess Power is a Netflix animated children’s show about four Princesses showing they too can save the day with the Power of friendship, creativity, and pants!

Based on the #1 New York Times Bestseller book series Princesses Wear Pants written by Savannah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheim, and illustrated by Eva Byrne, with Drew Barrymore as one of the show’s producers, the show follows the lives of four princesses, each living in their kingdom nominally dubbed a “fruitdom”.

Image: ©Netflix (www.netflix.com)

There is Rita Raspberry, Bea Blueberry, Kira Kiwi, and Penny Pineapple. Each girl has a unique skill set they bring to the quartet to help solve the episode’s obstacle, while also having a visual appeal that showcases their respective “fruitdom.” Penny is a STEM-minded science and engineering whiz, Rita is a creative craftsperson who finds unique solutions while also “bedazzling” them, Kira is an animal lover and has an extraordinary power of communicating with them, and Bea is physically adept with extreme sports and gymnastics skills.

Each girl is also of a different race, with Rita being of Asian descent, Kira being African American, Bea being caucasian, and Penny being Hispanic. It is this inclusivity I wanted to highlight. The development and world of the show are top-notch, with my daughter and I both engrossed in the “fruit kingdoms” and the consistent unique symbolic representation each girl showcases. But what really ‘be-dazzled’ me was this

That’s right; it’s Kira Kiwi, ready for bed time, in a bonnet! A bonnet, folks, in a mass-marketed children’s show! To see that the creators added that detail, that black girls can see the character that looks the most like them, wearing the items that they do for sleep is fantastic and deeper than you may think.

The concept of Black women and hair has always been contentious in American history, filled with bias and discrimination. The imposed belief that non-white or “white-passing” hair denotes someone as less than has led many young girls who are now young women into self-loathing and even self-hate for having the natural hair they have. This is why seeing this children’s show highlight the difference in Kira’s hair in a positive way, influencing the self-esteem of Black hair deserves all the applause. With such an impactful introduction into the animated children’s world, Princess Power has my vote for watchable and teachable for children, and I hope Netflix will continue with this caliber of class, character, and of course Princess Power!

Netflix's Princess Power is an important step towards inclusive representation in children's animation by including black hair accessories like bonnets, the show is helping to normalize and appreciate a culture that has long been underrepresented in the media. Its emphasis on female heroes and the inclusion of culture sends a powerful message to children that they can be whoever they want to be, regardless of their background, race, or gender. This show is a must-watch for parents and children alike who value inclusivity, diversity, and representation in TV!

So what do you think of Princess Power? Have you seen any details or imagery that you think showcases inclusion? Leave a comment below!