A little black mermaid for Disney: but for some it is unacceptable

A Little Mermaid then, that revolutionizes the cliché of the animated fairy tale which has now colonized the collective imagination.

But the choice creates debate

The decision to change the traditional Little Mermaid, however, was accompanied by heated controversy on social media. What’s an Afro-born actress right, detractors ask? Where is the connection with Andersen’s story and with the cartoon girl?

For some users, in fact, Disney wouldn’t respect the character and the fans which are linked to a very specific image of the protagonist.

But is it really a question of fidelity to the original?

The answers against this vision have arrived numerous. Among the first Djarah Kan, Italian-Ghanaian writer and activist that a long post on Instagram explains that, according to her, these reactions do not derive from the lack of fidelity to a story of pure fantasy, but from an ill-concealed racism.

«The sommeliers of the accuracy of Disney live action and the Fasci in defense of the childhood memory of the nineties they just can’t swallow the idea that their much-loved white little mermaid in 2022 she will be played by a BLACK actress. », writes Kan.

Or is it racism?

“I don’t even want to go back to the controversy of those who, in an attempt to hide their sincere and genuine racist annoyance, climb the mirrors improvising himself as experts in Danish folkloreor Greek mythology because the sirens in African folklore exist ».

And he continues: «On fantasy and the presence of blacks in imaginary or folkloristic roles, it is consumed a cultural battle for the supremacy of the white fantasy who wants to remain white and free to be Aryan and happy, in a changing world that is questioning the role of whiteness as a unit of measurement for everything that seems normal and not “forced” ».

However, the writer is not alone in the controversy. She was joined by numerous other users: “The controversy over whether the new Ariel from the Little Mermaid is black, it is the sad confirmation that the defeat of racism is an impossible dream even in fairy tales! ”, writes LP.

There are those who think it is not respectful towards the fans

Not everyone agrees, naturally. There are also those who reiterate that fidelity to the original is necessary: “If you want to reproduce a live action identical to the film, you have to respect the physical canons of the characters,” writes Mumu on Twitter.

Mel argues that “books and cartoons are loved both for their story and because we become attached to that particular aspect that becomes identifying. Change canonical texture and / or physicality he does not pay due respect to both the character and the fans as well as those who resemble him in reality ».

And Sofìe chirps that, yes, “the actress is beautiful, but honestly I would prefer that they do live action / new cartoons focusing on black characters rather than recycling a history of 200 years ago only to set up champions of social struggles without a minimum of content ».

The most rational: guys, it’s fantasy!

Rationality enters the controversy with Adrian, who reminds people upset why “#Ariel she is not played by a white actress !! ” that Ariel is a SIREN. «The sirens … DO NOT EXIST! They are INVENTED! And anyway, a creature in such an environment would be dark, as are sea lions, seals, etc. ”

Reading these comments, a question arises spontaneously, however: what is the real problem? Violating traditionwhich happens regularly with remakes and adaptations, or the gesture of to put an African heroine in a Northern European taleas if it were normal?

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