Around 2005 Disney decided to create another princess, this one is black. Disney already has white princesses, one that is Native American character (Pocahontas), and an Asian character (Mulan).

The black princess was conceived of before anyone heard of the Obamas, but hasn’t stopped controversy from surrounding this new character.

The studio, known for its wholesome family values, has made several changes to its first African-American princess, Tiana, who will star in a new animated film this Christmas entitled "The Princess and the Frog," amid accusations of racial insensitivity.

Disney changed the profession of the princess to an aspiring restaurant entrepreneur instead of a chambermaid, and changed her name to Tiana instead of Maddy, which critics thought was too similar to “Mammy," a once-common term for black female slaves in white households. Tiana will be played by Anika Noni Rose, who starred in "Dreamgirls," while Tiana’s mother will be played by the talk-show host Oprah Winfrey.

The prince Tiana will fall in love with has also sparked controversy. The prince is described as having olive-toned skin, and he will be voiced by Bruno Campos, a Brazilian actor.

Critics are upset that the black princess will not fall in love with a black prince.

Critics that won’t accept interracial love seem like they are the ones being racist.

Star Jones appeared on an Oprah Winfrey show about losing weight in the public eye. Jones said in part on the show:

"I was an addict for all practical purposes, that I had never stuck to a real diet, that I’d never stuck to a real exercise program, and that when confronted by my doctor and the doctor said if you don’t make changes, you will die. I had no choice. When you hear people say, oh, you took the easy way out, I would have longed for an easy way. It was not an easy way. It was this, the hardest struggle of my whole entire life and I still struggle."

Losing weight IS an addiction that you can’t live without, yet if you over indulge it can kill you slowly. Maintaining a healthy weight takes a lot of energy and self discipline, and it can feel like a second job that takes a lot of the joy out of life. Having a friend, or group of friends, to diet and exercise with can create a support system that keeps you on track.

Valerie Bertinelli and Marie Osmond will also appear on the show to help inspire us into taking action in our own lives to lose the weight, and manage it once it’s off.

Oprah Winfrey released the following statement regarding the sexual misconduct of a 15 year-old lesbian at her South Africa school for girls:

"Indiscretions resulting in disciplinary action are common in schools all over the world. Unfortunately, because of my name these common infractions place the Academy in the media spotlight."

"As each of the girls enrolled, she agreed to adhere to the school’s Honor Code and code of conduct policy, which values personal integrity and ensures an environment of shared trust and community."

"It’s disheartening when any student has to be suspended or expelled and it’s a process that involves serious review and consideration. We will not tolerate a violation of school policy and dishonesty. We insist on maintaining a campus environment that commands mutual respect, fosters academic excellence and encourages learners to fulfill their best potential."

The underlying problem appears to be a lack of adult supervision. The "trust" given to the students creates an environment for abuse of that trust. Perhaps a more structured environment combined with greater guidance could lessen the problems at the school. The school itself appears to be operating as an experiment, rather than based on a framework proven out over time by quality private learning institutions.

It seems inappropriate that lesbian students are allowed to sleep and shower in the same dormitory as heterosexual students. This appears to have created an environment where a predator lesbian has access to, and time alone, to attempt to molest other students.

Oprah Winfrey’s girls school in South Africa has been rocked by a second sex scandal in less than two years. This time the accused are students.

According to the newspaper Afrikaans on Sunda, seven students were suspended last week for sexually harassing their schoolmates. One 15-year-old was accused of preying on another pupil and forcing other girls to lie to investigators about it. A letter read to her parents read:

"You have been found guilty of physical contact of a sexual nature with another pupil on campus, harassment, bullying other girls on campus, and of being dishonest by not telling investigators the whole truth."

Other girls were caught fondling each other or trying to get other girls to join them in lesbian acts.

Oprah’s spokesperson, Lisa Halliday, confirmed the girls had been suspended from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy School for Girls, but gave few details:

"”Several students were expelled last week for violating the Leadership Academy’s code of conduct. We consider this to be a confidential school matter. Therefore, we will not confirm any personal information or disclose any details related to these expulsions.”"

Ten months after the school was opened, Winfrey sobbed uncontrollably after 15 girls reported they had been sexually abused by a matron who was supposed to be watching over them. Oprah said at the time:

"I am a mama bear when it comes to protecting my children. These girls are like my children. That’s not just rhetoric for me. I take their futures and the possibility for what their futures hold very seriously."

Other than suspended the lesbian girls molesting other girls at the school, there’s isn’t a lot Oprah, or school officials, can do. It was easier to deal with this problem when the offender was an adult. It seems that the underlying problem is a lack of appropriate adult supervision exists at the school. Perhaps the girls are spending too much time alone. Perhaps the school should rethink their approach, and perhaps mimic other successful private schools from around the world, where sexual abuse does not appear to be a problem.

It’s great Oprah is doing a show on domestic violence against women, but no one ever talks about the men that are physically and emotionally abused by women. It’s a big taboo to ever admit that women also victimize men. Just because it happens less to men than women, doesn’t mean it’s less important. My point is, women aren’t the only victims. Who is looking out for male victims of domestic violence?

I have a suspicion that Rihanna doesn’t want to press charges against Brown, because she may be just as guilty as he is. What I mean is, she may have thrown some punches too. Something set Brown off. Men are usually silent about what a woman did during a fight.

I believe both Rihanna and Brown should go to domestic violence classes, and get further counseling after that, so they understand what a healthy relationship is. The fact that both want to get back together after such a horrible fight shows they both need help, and not from each other, from a psychiatrist, or counselor.