The 1989 classic film, "The Little Mermaid" is up for a new, remastered live-action version of the film, along with many other childhood Disney favorites. But, now that some of the cast has been selected and announced to the public, people are not happy.
Why?
Because a black woman is playing Ariel.
If you see a problem with this, you are the problem.
No matter what argument you have for why Halle Bailey is not fit for the role, please know how ridiculous it is.
If your argument is the fact that you simply "can't change the race" of Ariel, that is simply not the case. Bringing up other Disney stories and saying that they couldn't change those characters also completely negates your point.
The Little Mermaid has no cultural background at all, so changing the character's race does nothing to the story. Changing Mulan, Tiana, Jasmine or Pocahontas-- that would be unacceptable. Those are tales written about a cultural background where race plays a part in the storyline.
On top of that, Halle Bailey is an extremely talented singer, which is a key role in Ariel's character. For years in Hollywood, people of color have been at a disadvantage to gaining roles due to their skin color, despite their talent. Finally, we have begun to give roles to people of color instead of whitewashing characters, which is a huge step for the film industry. We live in a beautifully diverse society, and neglecting to represent that in film is an injustice. There is so much beauty in every culture that has barely been scratched by mainstream film, so why do we keep depriving people of it?
And let us not forget that Disney Princesses are an amazing outlet for young children to be able to escape their reality and feel like a princess. With a majority of the princesses being white, it is hard for little girls of color to relate to a princess that is given so much attention. With one of the most famous princesses of them all now not being played by a white person, it allows for so many little girls to feel like they can relate to a character more than they usually could.
Finally, mermaids aren't real, so what does the skin color matter in the first place. Congratulations, Halle Bailey, on a role well deserved.
