Esmeralda: Disney’s Forgotten Representation
Oh, boy. Where to begin with this one. I adore The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In fact, it is arguably my favorite story of all time, from Victor Hugo’s original novel to the stunning musical to the Disney animated film. It is a deliciously dark and complex look into the nature of humanity filled to the brim with emotion and power.
And it also features one of my favorite female characters, Esmeralda— an incredibly unique and important heroine who I adore with all my heart.
If you hadn’t noticed, Disney is very focused on representation, and taking stories from a variety of cultures. Though many often campaign that we need more diversity (which is an entire other meta for another day), I can’t help but notice that, while showcasing Moana and Tiana and Mulan, many fail to observe the diversity Disney does have. Lilo, Kida, and, yes, Esmeralda.
Esmeralda. A Romani woman.
Now, you may be wondering why people forget to give Disney credit for this diversity which they do have. The answer, in my experience, is simple. ESMERALDA DOES NOT FIT INTO ONE OF THE FOUR LARGE RACIAL GROUPS: White, black, latino, and asian.
These are the five main racial groups or categories people’s minds tend to stay in when thinking about representation, because they are the largest. However, in doing this, so many smaller racial and arch of groups are overlooked.
Indigenous, aboriginal, pasifika, and yes, roma.
Ah. So that’s why Esmeralda is so often forgotten. She’s not back representation like Tiana, or asian like Mulan. She represents a much smaller, Indo- European nomadic race.
This representation, however, is just as important. Roma people have been persecuted throughout history. THEY WERE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST AND ROUNDED UP INTO SPECIAL CAMP SECTORS, WHERE THEY WORE BLACK OR BROWN TRIANGULAR PATCHES TO IDENTIFY THEM AS ROMA. This epidemic occurred alongside/ interconnected to the Holocaust, and is known as the Romani Genocide.
And nobody ever talks about this, because they are not one of the major racial groups. Just as Romani people are rarely seen as characters in television or film. In fact, I think the only other time I’ve seen a Romani woman on screen is Madame Simza in the second Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes film.
In Esmeralda, Disney is not recognized for putting one of the few Romani women to ever be on screen. Not only that— a Romani woman depicted as beautiful, kind, brave, noble, and a heroine. The movies shows this Romani woman as beautiful, but also allows her to refuse to be specialized buitrera outside of her desire. She is witty, good hearted, capable, talented, and a fully fledged complex woman.
So let’s celebrate Esmeralda. Let’s celebrate this special representation which is rarely ever seen. Let’s call for more Roma stories.
Because I am tired of the world being silent on a character as lovely and important as Esmeralda.
