If you're on social media, I'm sure you already know what's going on. Half of the RNB duo Chloe x Halle and Beyonce's protege, Halle Bailey is a vocalist, lyricist, actress and performer. She also is Black.

It was announced she would be cast as Ariel in the live action version of the Disney classic 'The Little Mermaid' and of course, being a black woman, some people had some things to say.

Some people feel that it is racist for a black woman to take a white woman's role, as Ariel was white with a Danish nationality. To that, I have a couple of things to say.

First and foremost, is Ariel's character is not based on her race. She is a mermaid, who is white, it is not a defining trait as it is for Tiana, Mulan, Pocahontas, Moana, Jasmine. The five Disney princesses previously listed are women of color who stories come from their race (not all accurately, of course). Those five could only be played by someone of that race because it defines the character.

Tiana is a black woman from New Orleans in the Jazz Era. Mulan is literally Chinese from China playing a woman from Chinese history. Pocahontas was a real Native American girl, who suffered a much more brutal life than Disney's version. Moana is Samoan and based off Samoan culture. Jasmine is a mix of Indian and Arabic cultures.

It would be racist for a white person to play one of these five princesses for the first reason of the story is written about and for that race.

The second reason it would be racist is because out of all Disney's animated princesses there are five women of color. Only five. We literally have five princesses we can look towards for diversity. On the other hand, there are so many more animated Disney movies with white princesses and white female leads.

For those who need the explanation on why it is not racist for a black woman (or any woman of color) to play a white Disney princess, it's the opposite reasoning as listed above.

The white Disney princesses are not defined by their race or their culture. 'The Little Mermaid' does not harbor so much Danish culture and Ariel is not defined by Danish culture. In fact, there is more Caribbean culture in 'The Little Mermaid' more so than Danish.

Same goes for Snow White or Rapunzel who are not defined by German culture, Cinderella or Belle who are not defined by French culture, Anna and Elsa who are from a literal made up land. Try to find me one of the white princesses whose entire story-line is affected by their race or culture, because I guarantee you, you won't.

Secondly, a woman of color playing a white Disney princess is not taking away the little representation white people have in Hollywood. News flash, white people have the most representation in Hollywood across the board.

In fact, this brings me to my next point, that there are plenty of lists of white people playing characters of color. Oh it most certainly hasn't stopped and it is not a thing of the past, plenty of these are quite recent.

Such as Johnny Depp (white) playing Tonto (Native American) in 2013. Or Rooney Mara (white) playing Tiger Lilly (Native American) in 2015. Or even Ben Affleck (white) playing Tony Mendez (Hispanic) in 2012. What about Scarlett Johansson (white) in 'Ghost in a Shell ' where the leads should've been Asian back in 2017.

And there is plenty more nonwhite roles given to white actors.

Halle Bailey is an amazing actress and vocalist, I'm happy to see her on screen because it's happening and no amount of complaining will change that.