Why do people say things like “what if the princess and the frog was white instead of black”?

[Anonymous]

I doubt that would offend someone African-American since the princess and the frog was originally not black. If they grew up with the fairy tale, they know this. More would probably be offended that she had to kiss a frog to even get a prince because that is honestly more insulting. Also, why do people not have a problem with whitewashing characters. If they are fictional Disney or comic book characters played by whoever acted their ass off the best, why can people not just show support? How can people say they are not racist but then group a whole shade of race together when they should be made at production? Why do people assume everyone who is a person of color is on the left or is Democratic? Notice I said everyone and not the majority because many of your answers on other posts show that you grouped all white or all black people as a particular political party. I’m sure you saw the fools who voted for Trump and I’m sure you saw the fools who voted for Biden, and those fools were people of all colors, including white.

[MelvinGeek]

I can't speak for everyone that has an issue with these "race swaps" and live-action remakes, so I will tell you why *I* have a problem with it.

First and foremost, Nick Fury was originally a white man...

Nick Fury was originally white. No one's complaining now that he's black.

And if I recall correctly, people had major issues with a white actor playing a Japanese character for the film Ghost in the Shell, 2017.

So no, white people don't get a pass, either.

And I don't recall many (if at all) complaining about Alita: Battle Angel (another supposed Japanese character) being played by a "Latina." And that could be because the actress is biracial and looks white, or because the film was pitted against Captain Marvel to make a point about "strong women."

What ever the case, *MY* problem with The Little Mermaid comes from 3 places. [1] That it was my first theatrical Disney movie as a kid (so it's personal), [2] the fact that there was no good reason to make Ariel, a white, ginger character into a black woman other than to make a political statement, and finally, [3] the fact that it looks like another goddamn live action remake... Which means it's going to be scene-for-scene, line-for-line the exact same movie... but without the heart and soul.

So from what I've gathered, it depends on whether or not a character has been established. Yes, Princess Tiana (The Princess and the Frog) was originally white, but she was not "established" until the story had it's theatrical release in 2009. This is when everyone REALLY gets their first impression of a character and their story. So when Disney (or Hollywood) decides to change things out of nowhere, I think people have a right to be a LITTLE upset.

They had no real reason to make Ariel, an established Disney princess, a black woman. It was simply for the sake of "inclusion." And usually when social justice and feminist politics influences the making of a film (whether entirely or in part), chances are... It's going to suck... And if you remember, The Little Mermaid was criticized by feminists for Ariel's motivation that of "needing a man." So I can only imagine how they're going to fuck this up just to make it more... feminist.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/IjSJar8pPQQ

They KNEW they would receive backlash for this... and now that they're getting it, they are using "racism" and "sexism" as their cudgel to shut down criticism and to make a political statement about how most people are anti-women and anti-black.

It's absolutely dishonest...

[ChillaxingLove]

I feel you on that bro. Disney is on a rampage they made it clear they have an agenda. They want to indoctrinate your kids.

[JustinTheGreat]

Yeah I really don’t understand why people are so mad.

like the meme shows, there are SO many characters that are originally POC that were played by white people. But nobody says anything about it, and if we were to say something they would go “You care too much about race! Who cares if they’re white or black!”

but they change a white character black and now they’re all up in arms lol. It’s pretty hard to act like racism has nothing to do with it.

The funniest part is that all these grown ass adults are really acting like they care about a fucking little mermaid movie lmaooo. “I won’t be watching 😡” so if she was played by a white girl, you’d be watching it? No you wouldn’t lol. Y’all do NOT care about this movie. Y’all care about complaining about race

[Asker]

Yes they care more about the race and so-called political backing then they do the film. This is for their children, not them. And still no one else has commented on the meme above because it does not fit the point they were looking to make

[Red-Blaze]

I personally hate when a casting choise is done on the base of "politcal" then getting the best for the role
I mean this things always come from the studionto fill there check list, not for the benfit of the viewer or the creatives that work in it

[Asker]

Although the company and casting may have had politically related intentions, I’m sure the actress just wanted to get a role. So I will not fault her and may still watch the movie

[Red-Blaze]

Why will anyone blame the actress for getting a job?
If anyone is agrivated its likely on the studio

[Asker]

The comments are just about more negative towards the actress

[Red-Blaze]

I don't see anyone talking about the actress here

[Asker]

Not on this post but on the 5 others that were posted within the last few days yes

[melanieeeB]

They wanna justify their racism lol

[melanieeeB]

Besides of that, most people have a problem with change and "the old is always better" and I also think some people can't accept that life moves on and new thinks will always come up and they try so hard to hold on to the past and to their childhood

[Asker]

If they want to hold on to their childhood, they can just go watch the original for the 125th time rather than the new one in theaters

[melanieeeB]

Agreed

[Metallsturm]

People generally dislike original lore being shit on by folk who clearly don't care about the lore or origins of the story. For example, sorceresses in Witcher: in the books Yen and Triss weren't looking like gypsies and didn't speak/act like retarded bitches, while Fringilla wasn't black. This shows a few things:

- Showrunners are driven by whatever moronic agenda there is, first and foremost.

- They have no respect for the lore whatsoever.

- They have no knowledge or care about lore, story, origins etc. whatsoever; apparently, they're bluntly unaware about Zerrikania or Ofir. Could've just made a decent character (s) from there instead of "random" changes to the originals. This additionally shows they're unable to come up with something original on their own (which already results in tons of failed remakes of classic movies)

Besides, if things would be in reverse (e. g. if I'd be a minority), I'd be quite pissed off that I'm getting hired for the job not because of my acting skills or via some other merit, but just because "diversity" with blunt disregard of the plot, lore etc. As if I'm somewhat of a handicapped token and can't get a role otherwise, thus I just happen to be needed to get dragged into shows solely because of that.

Nobody really cares about character's looks if it's an original story (nobody complained about Morgan Freeman playing god in Bruce Almighty, for example), yet when something that has an original representation, source material and/or a canon lore gets "toyed with", people with triple digit IQ dislike such moronic changes.

[Asker]

Those specific people should then take up their issue with the company. But watch how many still go out and support Disney and other companies in other ways. They’re still going to hand them their money so whats the point of complaining

[Metallsturm]

Yes, unfortunately, double digit IQ folk will continue to eat whatever crap is handed to them.

As for "what's the point in complaining"; voice of reason, trying to make others think or expression of frustration now is cancelled as well or something?

[Asker]

People should get off of social media, focus less on politics and being sheep, and just live

[Curmudgeon]

I'd have to see the Little Mermaid movie first, so I won't judge the actress Halle Bailey just yet. I think people are suspecting (perhaps unfairly, perhaps not), that Halle Bailey was selected simply because she fit a diversity quota rather than because she really could project the sweetness of the Ariel character best.

Anyway, "The Princess and the Frog" WAS set in a "Voodoo Culture" in New Orleans, so having an African American protagonist there made perfect sense.

[Asker]

Did you know that New Orleans is home to many different ethnicities and that not only and not all black people practice Voodoo. Did you know an actual frog could not turn into a human and that this is a fairytale and just as fictional as the Little Mermaid

[Curmudgeon]

I know that; I just know that "the Princess and the Frog" was a take on "the Frog Prince" story, with a voodoo subplot. Anyway, it was a charming movie and I liked it very much. Anika Noni Rose voiced the character Tiana very well!

[Asker]

I did not like the film as I felt it was not made for children. The villain and voodoo background was creepy. But i felt the characters were charming and the soundtrack was superb

[RiseofArtemis]

Have you maybe noticed that there are more then likely no Tibetan actors in the film industry in the US and that the vast majority are white or black people who are actors with some small percentage being of latin origin. Or any real small minority population who plays actors. They usually take what is the closest to the real thing as there are no other choices.

The ability to speak does not make you intelligent.

[Asker]

And changing a character’s race does not make the original film any less credible. Its okay to cater to all parties

[imjustadude]

The feudal system is a horrible system of government and romanticizing that system is just plain wrong. Also King Neptune is a myth. People need to worship the real living GOD. Also it is horrible that a Danish man appropriated this story from Greeks. This movie is so wrong on many levels Most aren't WOKE to the facts.

[Shamalien]

I think the issue is that you have a character, then you make a cheesy remake to milk cash and change the race to be trendy. That’s the issue. The white roles pictured here are still larping as the original race.

Just make a new fking concept and stop remaking movies ffs

[Asker]

Would you have an issue with people voicing the characters of a different race from the voice actor?

[Shamalien]

Not if the character is still the same character

[Asker]

Even though they are mocking what they feel is stereotypical to that character? Trying to “sound” white/black/Asian/etc?

[Shamalien]

It’s called acting

[Asker]

Oh, The same thing Halle did when she got the part as Ariel

[Shamalien]

No, not at all the same thing as she is not doing whiteface, the character has had theur race changed

[Asker]

Those characters I’m referring to were not doing black/whiteface. They were just voiced by people of the opposite race. Should Halle not apply to a job because the job chose to make others mad?

[VanguardTitan]

A lot of people throw the European folk point, but it's still a fictional story, not real life. So it shouldn't matter what skin color or race she is.
Now something like Frozen or Brave makes sense it's more around normal people (yes yes Elsa has magic powers but is still human) so racial accuracy makes sense but a mermaid doesn't need racial accuracy.

[Asker]

Brave makes sense up until the talking bear. Frozen never did and still does not.

[VanguardTitan]

Plots are questionable yes, but the races aren't 🤣

[Asker]

They’re not historical figures. An person of any color could play them and I wouldn’t care

[VanguardTitan]

Yeah but in those cases i can understand why they'd only choose white people since they're all supposed to be of that time period in that region.

[Asker]

Back then the people of color were probably slaving away as maids and gardeners

[VanguardTitan]

That is actually a very good point

[Twalli]

I generally don't care about the race of characters, I am more concerned with how well the actor portrays them. I will say I have a bigger issue with book characters. For example, Annabeth in Percy Jackson is CLEARLY Caucasian. There's no debate about it. A black girl was cast as her. That is somethning I have an issue with, even though Riordan greenlit the casting. If we're holding to how she's described we'll have a black girl with blonde hair and grey eyes.

[Asker]

So is your issue with the casting director

[Twalli]

Not really, Riordan had executive decision over it considering how badly they butchered the first attempt by ignoring him.

[Asker]

So who is your issue with

[Twalli]

Riordan

[jshm2]

People are just stupid, is all.

Hollywood as been "white casting" since it's early days, and it's only now that people are bitching about roles?

[Asker]

So trueee

[RiseofArtemis]

You must have the brain of a Trex. How is Hollywood supposed to find an actor of the right race when there are no actors of the right race. You take what is closest to the real one. Purposely changing the skin color to please a loud minority is what's wrong

[Asker]

@RiseofArtemis YOU take what is closest to the “right” one. Some of us are okay just seeing who qualified for the part, not who looked the part

[duttyjamagyal]

That is literally the only black princess, almost all the princesses are white... so ya I'd be upset the only black princess we had was turned white or some other color that wasn't black

[Asker]

They can always make more. After all, it took almost 10 before her before we got her. And after films like Cinderella with Brandy, Little Mermaid with Halle, and so on, there will always be a black princess. People can make all the remakes they want but the other version of each princess will always be available as well. Its meant to cater to all parties. If someone is mad about Tiana being of a different race but not of Ariel being of a different race then it starts to look hypocritical. Its okay to have both. A bit disrespectful unfortunately, but not unusual or surprising is what I’m saying. Movies have done this for years

[duttyjamagyal]

Yeah

[ODC2112]

Simply because they are fairy tales of the European tradition, and in the European tradition there are no blacks, even a retarded one would get there, many Americans are below this threshold.

[Asker]

The retard comment was so uncalled for

[Friendlybro79]

I don't care what race an actor is when playing a fictional character. If you do care... well... you'll live.

[Asker]

Yea like the same haters will probably be the first to buy theater tickets

[Anonymous]

How many people who watch mcu have actually read the comics? I noticed you left out nick fury, who was changed to black and also no one gave a shit

[Asker]

So why are they so mad about the mermaid if she’s just as fictional

[RiseofArtemis]

The little mermaid is from Danish folklore which means her skin and hair are locked by the original author's story. Changing it would disregard the source material and probably insult a lot of people who grew up with that story or like it. Changing a person's race purposely just to fit a narrative is completely wrong.

Nick Fury could have been changed by the original authors will if he wanted to do it. As long as the one who made it changes it its okay but when someone else changes it its not. We can't go and change "Mein Kampf to fit the modern agenda just because we don't like it."

[Opinion Owner]

If it had remained a story on paper and not a HUGE Disney film/tv show franchise for years, people probably wouldn't have cared. Just like all of those comic book characters you listed, most people didn't even know those characters existed until they saw the movie. If you asked me what iron mans name or race is before the movies came out, I wouldn't have a clue. When you spent literally decades selling toys and products of a particular character, then change the appearance entirely, people are going to be upset. They'd have been just as confused by a caucasian Ariel with brown hair, but because it was the skin that was brown, and this is America, it's lead into a bunch of race baiting social justice nukes and a lot of all-or-nothing type ideology. "You either love it or you're racist"

Luckily, idgaf about the little mermaid lol. They can have all the people be played by eddie murphey in disguise, like the nutty professor, for all I care.

Seeing this brings me back to the many other times hollywood changed characters that already had a beloved image in pop culture. Remember what they did to the cgi sonic in the live action movie? They spent another 5 million to change it, but luckily sonic isn't a human so no one was able to pull the race card.

Another example, in the opposite sense, is what M Night did the Avatar the last airbender. Visually, all the characters looked sorta how youd expect them to, but he COMPLETELY changed their entire personality archetypes. They were no longer the characters I grew to love. Even though the plot was the same, to me it was an entirely different movie.

[byrdman89]

So what you're saying is that we're all f***** up? Maybe the world would be better if we were all green lol

[Asker]

But I wanted to be pink

[byrdman89]

Lol - it would be cool if we could change colors - I'm sure you would be a beautiful pink :)

[bignose68]

The better question is why do people care about Disney live action remakes? They're never be as good as the originals.

[Asker]

All remakes differ in some way but people need something to be mad about apparently

[Chthou95]

If a white person is being casted as a fictional black or Asian character, people will lose their shit

[Asker]

Some people yes. Not all of us. Usually its just the closet racists of each ethnic race coming out the closet and showing their true colors

[Chthou95]

You sure about that? Even the media brings it up when a white person gets casted

[Asker]

The media is filled with instigators who like to see division amongst the people/races. Thats a given

[Chthou95]

The media is very left wing and theyll bitch if a white person gets a starring role

[Asker]

Yes so I’m blaming the media and the company for being instigators more than I’m blaming the people of each party

[Chthou95]

The media holding accountability? 😂😂😂

[historectomy]

in my mind tiana is the princess from princess in the frog so