Ariel Is Going To Be Played By A Black Girl. Can We Get Over It Now?

[z3lda]

Unless you’ve been living under the sea for the past few days, you’ve probably heard the news about the upcoming The Little Mermaid movie.

Disney has decided to cast Halle Bailey, a black girl, to play the lead role of Ariel. As you can guess, the opinions are quite mixed.

Halle Bailey next to the cartoon version of Ariel.

Many were happy that Disney was giving representation to the underrepresented, while others were furious with them for changing Ariel’s race.

In my opinion, the casting is fine. Halle Bailey can sing, and she has the youthful look Ariel needs. As long as they dye her hair red, I don’t think there’ll be a problem.

As a white girl who grew up loving Ariel, I don’t care that she’s going to be black in the live action version. I really don’t. I’m going to enjoy the story just as much as I did when I was a little girl.

When I was young I always looked up to all the Disney princesses, no matter what their race was. Truthfully, I doubt there are going to be any little white girls distressed about Ariel being black. There’s so many white princesses for them to identify with, I doubt they’ll care unless adults keep injecting them with the idea that this is wrong.

However, a black girl might watch that and be happy to finally see a live action princess that looks like them. There’s only been one black Disney princess, Tiana, and as much as I love that story I don’t think one black princess who spends the majority of her film as a frog is enough representation.

There’s nothing in the storyline that would have to be changed because Ariel is now black. The story will still make sense. Given the fact that she’s a mythical creature with no historical context, there’s no reason why she has to be white.

In the end, I think there’s a lot of other things we should be focusing our attention on other than a children’s movie. I wasn’t going to make this myTake, but this whole website is obsessed with arguing about this.

Disney is probably not going to back out of their decision, and if you don’t like the casting then don’t go watch the movie. I have a feeling most of the people on here arguing about it wouldn’t have wanted to see it either way.

I just hope we can all move on from this at some point. To me, it seems like a dumb thing to argue about. I can’t help arguing about it either, but it’s ridiculous that we’re all getting hung up over a Disney movie targeted towards seven year olds.

I know the arguing isn’t going to die down anytime soon, but let’s try to keep it respectful and remind ourselves that this is just a children’s movie.

Thank you for reading.

[MarkRet]

If this was being done as a one-off novelty thing, that's fine. The problem is, Disney (and Hollywood in general) has gone all out woke. They're just remaking EVERYTHING they've done in the past, and black washing it. I guess we'll need a black Snow White, with bi-sexual multiethnic elves. If you want representation, fine, make original black stories, with black people in them. I feel as if my culture is being screwed over and appropriated. If anybody complains about it, the SJW crowd attacks them as racist, sexist, man-babies who need to grow up.

The same kind of thing is going on wth Lucasfilm (which is owned by Disney) and the Star Wars franchise. 'Strong' female characters are pushed, while at the same time, the male characters are beaten down into wimpified losers. Galaxy Quest at Disneyworld is an empty ghost town, but if you go there, you can be guided by Rey, or General Leia, or that purple-haired feminazi, Admiral Holdo. Guaranteed no male heroes of any significance.

[nojokecarmichael]

What culture? White is a racial group there is no culture.

[z3lda]

@nojokecarmichael Maybe he means mermaid culture 😳

[MarkRet]

I mean the culture that created the story in the first place.

[MarkRet]

Correction, I meant Galaxy Edge at Disneyland.

[HereIbe]

@nojokecarmichael, black is a racial group, there is no culture. Or are you some kind of ignorant bigot who thinks that someone from South Bronx has the SAME CULTURE as someone from Gambia or Senegal? They are NOT the same, and it is racist to the extreme to claim they would be.

There is no white culture. There is no black culture. There is no Asian culture. Racial groups are NOT cultures. Indeed, there are cultures that embrace multiple racial groups, such as can be found in the Caribbean.

[HereIbe]

You mean DANISH culture? Gee, then the original Disney animated movie should NEVER HAVE BEEN MADE, since it was Americanized to the extreme and rejected all the Danish elements.

[Tardcarter]

>There's only been one black Disney princess
Disney couldn't make an original story for blacks? They said "Sorry, you don't have any good stories, so we'll adapt some for you." Doesn't that look bad?

>Given the fact that she's a mythical creature with no historical context, there's no reason why she has to be white.
Fun fact, the Disney movie is adapted from a Danish story from the 1830's. If the Betsy Ross flag is bad b/c slavery existed, isn't this story, too?

On a different note, don't you think it looks bad to have a young black girl throwing everything away to be with her white prince?
Just saying, I don't think this was a good idea. It looks like a bad move any way I look at it. Maybe that's just me.
At the same time, I think the Disney-fied version of the story teaches poor morals in general compared to the original story, but that's for a different discussion.

[z3lda]

What I mean is that Ariel wasn’t a real person and she lived in a fictional kingdom in the ocean. She’s not like Pocahontas or Merida, who have cultural and/or historical ties to them.

[Tardcarter]

Fair enough. I still feel like King Triton was made in the image of the Greeks' Poseidon, but that might be just from the animated one.

[HereIbe]

I get it, you're a butthurt little white boy.

[Tardcarter]

My butthurt comes from student loans, not from this. Had they made her white, I still wouldn't see it. Like I said, the original movie teaches poor morals anyway.

[naijagurl]

I don’t necessarily agree with the casting because I think it’s better to maintain a character’s looks when doing remakes but you make some very good points. It’s unbelievable how upset people are getting over this. Mermaids DO NOT exist. There is really no fundamental reason why she absolutely has to be white. Also it makes no sense when people pull out the “how would you feel if they made Princess Tiana white or Black Panther white” comments. Those are characters whose races are a fundamental part of their stories and situations. If you make them white, you basically have to change the story because it will no longer make sense. That’s why it’s a completely different if their races were changed. Anyway, I’m just tired of seeing such a big deal made out of this from full grown adults.

[HereIbe]

Then you MUST also reject the Disney animate picture, because the oldest full movie adaptation did NOT have a redhead playing Ariel. Everything after the 1968 film is just a remake.

[naijagurl]

@HereIbe Hmm I honestly didn’t know that.

[HereIbe]

People are generally stupid and think that the gigantic corporate version of something MUST be the original.

[naijagurl]

@HereIbe I mean I knew that there had to have been an older version but now her red hair is such a trademark feature that I assumed that she had red hair in the original.

[SpiderManFan2002]

You speak such sense, I totally agree with you! I'm actually looking forward to seeing Halle as Ariel especially after I heard her sing, I think she sounds similar to the cartoon Ariel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TRKprQCAfU

[z3lda]

Thank you! I agree, her voice is gorgeous.

[curiousnorway]

To me it's not a big deal since I didn't plan to watch the Disney remakes anyway.

As long the authors doesn't care about their characters appearance, it's not important for the story, it's fictional etc. I think it would be fine. She's a mermaid and this doesn't need to be in Denmark. Perhaps they're putting the story in a fictional diverse area. In addition Eric looked like a Latino when Ariel was a white redhead, but Latinos weren't that common at that time at that place, so weird no one is reacting at Eric.

Anyway, it seems like Disney lacks creativity and originality since instead of creating new stories they're recycling the old ones all the time. In addition they're stealing original stories from other places.

[dancing_in_nebulas]

They should have kept her white honestly.

They kept Belle white from beauty and the beast.

Kept Maleficent white, kept Aurora white etc...

Its okay and more accurate for Ariel to be white in the live action.

Someone needs to get original and start making enchanting stories with different races as the main character, then let those become live action movies later.

How would it feel if Mulan was a black girl in the live action?

Its bullshit to me, and makes it seem like we're desperate to have the same representation as whites, by stealing their glory.

We have our own glory and culture that makes for amazing original stories, like Storm from Xmen and Black Panther.

We don't need to be the "black version," of every fucking thing.

Its 2nd place if anyone didn't notice.

Kinda defeating the purpose of equality.

The world likes what is different about us - our puffy hair, music, food, perception, etc.

That's more entertaining to watch than some black knockoff of a white based character.

[Tiffany_Taylor_Made]

As a Black person, to be honest, I don't support people changing the race of characters because there is no point in doing so. I believe fictional characters should be treated like real life people. In real life, we don't have the ability to change our race at will. Therefore, fictional characters should remain as they are created. That means that, yes, Ariel has to be White. You mentioned that Black girls might be happy see a Disney princess that resembles them. That might be true, but in that sense, it's better to create a completely original Black character instead of changing the race of an already established character that has been White for decades. The same should definitely apply for Black characters. For example, if Marvel decided to make Black Panther "White Panther" instead and the king of some European nation, I would be mad, as many other people would. Besides, it's not like we watch TV with the hopes of seeing characters that are Black all the time. We don't mind watching characters of other races. Even if we did mind, in this age, plenty of other Black characters exist on TV that we can watch.

[Shamalien]

it's sad that you have to be a black person to not get a ton of flack for spouting this opinion.

PSYCHE! Your still gunna get a ton of hate! Welcome to 2019

[hellionthesagereborn]

Blacks are not underrepresented, they are 12.8% of the population, whites are 63%. So that's a bullshit argument. Two, if we replaced a black character with a white we are told constantly that its racist and all white people are racist because of it, that makes this move hypocritical and by most of these peoples logic (and yours more then likely) racist. Three, they have replaced every single white character they can and every male character they can , look at the new james bond, its going to be a black woman, mary jane Watson a redhead woman of Scottish decent was and is played by a black woman. Heimdel a norse god i. e. white, played by a black man, etc. etc. etc. etc. So no, I cannot get over it because racism and hypocrisy are not things I tolerate. Just because your being racist and discriminatory towards whites does not make it okay. Its this attitude that justified the Detroit concert that charged whites twice as much as minorities. That's bullshit its racist, its a scummy thing to do, period. Stop justifying it stop trying to give minorities rights that allow them a higher status in nations that are predominantly white. Its bad enough that every minority nation discriminates against whites and every one else for that matter, we don't need that shit here.

[NatashaJ]

The bigger issue is Disney refuses to let anyone else to use the fairy tales they use, they create copyright laws that last over 25+. Isn't it weird netflix actually made a little mermaid live action film last year and now Disney making this film? they clearly don't want anyone use these characters even though they stole these characters from other authors Making this movie will renew that copyright law on it. Also, they have a agenda they pushing apparently Harry Styles is Prince Eric so why if this is going to be in a Caribbean setting why would you pick a white guy why can't we have a black prince then? why is it minorities princesses have to be pair with a white guy? why is that acceptable? they even did this with Pocahontas I recent watch that again and I didn't love the relationship between her and John at all. Doesn't the message a white man would make your love happily ever after offensive as fuck? anyone?

[NatashaJ]

life*

[z3lda]

I don’t think this is going to be set in the Caribbean, is it? The original was set in Denmark.

[NatashaJ]

apparently the director is claiming that it is because Ariel is black in this version of the movie.

[z3lda]

I can’t find that anywhere...

[NatashaJ]

I saw it on YouTube lol look it up it can't be that hard to find. Also Ariel parents are going to be white.

[z3lda]

I’ve looked it up and I can’t find it. Also, the only confirmed cast member is Halle Bailey. So, I’m not sure where you’re getting this from.

[NatashaJ]

Again on youtube go look there a bunch of people are talking about it.

[z3lda]

I searched “Little Mermaid Caribbean” and have found nothing related to what you’re saying. I’ve looked on YouTube and Google. 🤷‍♀️ I think you’re reading a lot of rumors about it because nothing has been confirmed about the movie other than Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel.

[JimboGB]

No body truly cares about a child's movie, as you put it.
It is the wider context of cultura, an African American playing a Danish cultural role is clearly watering down its cultural significance.
The true question that should be asked is this, where are the creative thinkers? Where are all the new great authors, who are inspiring the new generation with new insightful stories? Why aren't Africa Americans writing novels and screen plays which highlight their cultural and their African heritage instead of watering over an Danish, European one?
Why isn't there a movie on African warrior Shaka Zulu or another historic African examples for African Americans to learn about their heritage and history.

[z3lda]

Where is Danish culture represented in Ariel’s character? I’m not Danish so maybe I’m missing something, but her character seems pretty culturally ambiguous.

The problem is African Americans are writing these stories, white people just don’t want to give them a chance.

[AlienParasite]

I'm ok with her beign black. I'm not ok with Disney doing live actions remakes, though. Would be better if they wrote or worked over new stories. Even better if those movies are 2D like the classics that made them a big brand. So, in the end I don't care if a character is black, white or blue, I don't watch any Disney live action remake.

[PositiveNote]

Anyone who thinks Ariel has to be an Anglo-Saxon goddess, think about where the story takes place! Oh, yeah... Denmark. I forgot that all the mermaid are white there. Well, how many actual mermaids do you find in the North Sea with no scuba gear or parkas? Huh? Really! I would think that the southern latitudes would fare nicely for a migrating school of mermaids. So let's get real, people! Mermaids come in every shape and color!

[RedRobin]

I don't get why people care so much about who plays a fictional character. I mean, yeah, if a white guy played Martian Luther King it or a black woman played Mulan (in a real life version, and yes, Mulan is based on a true story) it wouldn't make any sense at all but for fictional characters (in real versions or not) I don't get why it's a big deal

[nathanp97]

Yet when a white person was in line to play an Asian comic book character the internet blew up. In against it simply because when it happens the other way around people call it racist and loose their shit.

[pervertedjester]

Still can't wrap my head around the Hollywood "science" of a live action version of this movie. She spends the majority of her life under the sea avoiding humans, yet longing to be one of them she somehow gets a tanning bed to work under water... Electric Eels maybe. But even ignoring that aspect of it, she should look like a blob fish out of water because of the pressure difference. Just another Blob/Slob like the rest of us. But the true take away from the story is "Changing who you are physically just to fit in somewhere else is absolutely fine because you can always out run your problems."

[imsimplytrin]

Hopefully I’m not being biased since I’m black but I honestly I don’t see what the problem is. Ariel is FAKE! I understand what some people are coming from but she’s not a real person. If she was , then yeah that’s a problem. But since she’s just a character from Disney then what the hell. Hailey can sing and she earned her role.

[lightbulb27]

I think it works, she has a unique look, good for her. Why not a chinese or indian mermaid? Bollywood... needs to get on that!!!

Disney... exec paid too much, workers paid too so low have to scrounge food out of trash cans. I don't watch it, I don't fund them. If I had a kid, she'd be riding a dirt bike or bicycle instead of watching mind numbing movies. Protest with me the egregious salaries execs pay themselves. $66 million... really? If you put your $6 into his pocket, it is your fault.

[Daniel3035]

In situations like these I feel it should be white to white black to black. I find it confusing / weird to see the little mermaid who’s white from my childhood is now black in adulthood can’t describe it just feels weird is all. When a character is described a certain way in the books it’s usually best to keep it that way it’s about visually appealing people I guess. If the character is black I feel the actor should be too. Though there’s nothing wrong here just personally it feels unsynched. It’s like people who put milk in first when they’re making tea most people use hot water and a tea bag then milk.

[Randomawkwardness]

I'm not going to lie, I hate the casting. It wasn't done out of good intentions for all the little girls out there - it was done for money. What would you rather: a once white character and story played by a black character or an actual story based out of a black characters home country that will actually matter to all the kids out there? I know which one I would choose.

[LuvAsh]

Idky people are so mad. Everyone wants to complain about how Ariel was orignally white but the idea of a mermaid in general wasn't white, Danish, etc. Some of the first mermaids myths derived from Syria and parts of Africa.
So what I want to know is, where did the writer of The Little Mermaid get a white mermaid from? Why isn't it like the originals?
I don't see people complaining about that.
People just need to admit that they hate the fact that she is a black mermaid😂😂

[Anonymous]

It's not necessarily racism to be surprised at the fact that the actress playing Ariel is a woman of color. Why? Because the Ariel we know from childhood disney is very pale and has blue eyes and I think that anyone who watches the movie might loose interest by the fact that she doesn't actually look like Ariel. Say if Bella Thorne who is a ginger played Bella the Beauty. She wouldn't fit because she is not a brunette right? I don't really see the point of this question because people have the right to voice their opinions on a movie

[nathanp97]

I'm against it just because if it was the other way around people would be calling it racist. Unless it is an old historical movie or show I really dont care if they change the race, with the exception of movies were the race is the whole point if the show.

[strateguy632]

no, the same as that didn't calm the affirmative action complaint "where is our movie star".

you "always looked up to all the Disney princesses, no matter what their race was." why didn't the bkacks?

we couldn't say to naacp' "just a movie not serious get over it" now also can't.

[nakesia]

It's a shame how racist people are. You can't even enjoy a cartoon movie. The human race put color too much on everything. They put the white race on everything. Would it been a big deal if Ariel was played by an Asian lady. Probably not. Only black people make the country into an uproar. Well, I think it's wonderful to have a black Disney character. Some people need to get over themselves. It's just a movie. A cartoon movie. It is too much hate in this world. Mostly nonsense too

[brennanhuff]

I think the princess for the princess and the frog , for the live action version should be a blonde autistic female albino. I mean why not, let's mix things up. Some reason I feel the same people liking ariel black would not like the black princess in the cartoon of princess and the frog being someone not black. That would be great choice though lol, really mix it up ya know since disney wants to mix things up, keep it coming.