Disney Gets It Right by Casting a Black Ariel
They understand representation matters for everyone
Growing up in the ’70s, I saw no princesses who looked like me. The Cosby Show didn’t exist, and there were few movies showing the experiences of modern-day black people. Of course when you’re a child, you don’t consciously think about the absence of people in the public realm who look like you. You simply don’t see yourself in positions and experiences you regularly see white faces occupy, so you can’t imagine yourself alongside them.
As a child, I didn’t dream of being a Disney princess, mermaid, or any other beautiful creature studios dream up for little girls. I just saw their beauty and knew it couldn’t be me. When I was old enough to really see the absence of faces similar to mine, I second-guessed whether I belonged in the spaces they occupied. This affected my life and career choices. It’s why representation at a young age matters so much.
It’s not like we black girls don’t dress up as Disney princesses. As a child, I was Cinderella for two straight Halloweens because I loved her so much. I was also aware that, when I put on my Cinderella mask, her alabaster skin didn’t match my own deep brown skin. I wore the costume, but I still missed the connection. I didn’t feel like her because I knew I didn’t look like her.
