The Little Mermaid Mess
America, your racism is showing — again.
Ever since it was announced in 2021 that Disney was making a live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” and that the mermaid was going to be Black, it has caused a seismic shift in this country.
Earlier this month, a trailer was released featuring Hallie Bailey singing the titular song, “Part of Your World” while casting her eyes upward. It is a beautiful scene and I applaud Disney for casting Bailey. She appears to be wearing the mermaid costume well like a natural part of the ocean world. Bailey is Ariel.
Of course, once the trailer was released, the racists were in an uproar. Obviously, they realized that Disney was serious about casting Bailey in reimagining “The Little Mermaid.” The trailer solidifies Bailey’s involvement in the title role.
Yes, racists. The movie is happening. In fact, the movie will be released sometime in 2023. Just in case you haven’t checked the calendar recently, there are only three months left in 2022.
Social Media has been flooded with complaints by racists over the casting of Bailey. Some people feel that their childhood has been stolen from them. On Instagram and Facebook, I’ve seen nothing but racist trolls insulting Bailey and crying to Disney to “stop this madness.”
Let’s get real. The original Ariel was a fictional character broadcast on movie screens for several months to millions of children across America and all over the world. Millions of those children were children of color — black, brown, and indigenous children.
Several generations of non-white children watched the original “Little Mermaid” and were shown a mermaid kingdom full of white merpeople. Those children didn’t see anyone who looked like them — and survived. Of course, it would have been wonderful to see Black, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous mermaids, but those children didn’t and many still enjoyed the film.
Now, decades later, Disney is doing the right thing and remaking the movie to be more inclusive. I think it’s great and I can’t understand why anyone would complain. The original movie isn’t being shelved — it’s still a huge draw for Disney. But it’s 2022, and children of color deserve to see mermaids of different hues frolicking under the sea.
Also, racists, the original Ariel, and the Bailey Ariel are STILL fictional characters. The Little Mermaid is a Disney CARTOON. Ariel isn’t real! She never was real! Why are you crying over a nonexistent fictional character?!
This outrage makes you racists look so dumb! Don’t you have anything better to do than worry about something that isn’t real? What’s next crying foul if the Easter Bunny’s gender becomes nonbinary? Or if Santa Claus has a transgender child? It doesn’t matter!
Bailey will be a wonderful Ariel. Don’t be mad if she’s a better Ariel than the original. All the hate you’re throwing at her only empowers her to give a stellar performance. Your hate will make her great! Thanks!
Long live the BLACK ARIEL!!!
