Princess Zelda is a multifaceted character who has developed from a damsel in distress to a powerful political player, a researcher, a sorcerous, a warrior, a leader, and a legend. By virtue of this complexity, Zelda is an inspiring female character who breaks down gender roles game after game. Despite her many changes over the series' 35 year history, Zelda has never been anything other than white. This is a shame. And a missed opportunity to signal to women of color their potential to be legendary.
The Need for Change
Black women in America right now are constantly bombarded with content and voices (up to the highest echelons of society) which suggest that they do not matter, that they are inferior, and that they are not deserving of respect. Any and every symbol of Black power goes a long way to dulling those knives. To that end, a Black Princess Zelda sends the message that Black women are not just minor characters or antagonists, but complex, heroic figures of vital importance.
Zelda and Link always being portrayed as white suggests that only white people are capable of protecting the world and frankly that they rightfully control it. This is likely in no way the intention of those at Nintendo putting the games together, but may reflect an implicit bias among creators that ought to be challenged. This change is particularly possible in a series where the main trio of characters are unique manifestations of the Triforce throughout time, as opposed to the same exact character every game. Even an interpretation requiring a blood relation to the original Goddess, Hero, and Demise does not preclude more diverse representation by these figures, because it's very unlikely the bloodline would experience no interracial interventions across all of time. And there's nothing to say that the same spirit can't occupy a body racially distinct from those in its past.
