Waves of Change: The Little Mermaid (2023) and the Power of Diversity in Media

Dive into a world where a mermaid's journey goes beyond the surface, igniting a powerful wave of representation and inspiring generations to dream bigger.

Under the sea!

In this post, I'm sharing my recent adventure seeing this movie in theaters, diving deeper into the Halle Bailey and the filmmakers' dedication to authentic representation, and exploring the transformative power of diversity in media and entertainment.

A Ticket to History: Reflecting on the First Black Disney Princess

Walking into the theater to see The Little Mermaid (2023), I remembered my elation seeing the first Black Disney princess movie.

I remember hearing whispers and rumors that there might be an animated Black Disney Princess in the early 2000s. When The Princess and the Frog was officially announced, I was so excited imagining who this princess would be and her story.

My family and I saw an advanced copy of The Princess and the Frog movie poster during a Disney trip in the 2000s.

I still have my ticket stub from seeing The Princess and the Frog in theaters in 2009. I remember where I sat and the palpable energy in the room as moviegoers and I witnessed history.

Even though Princess Tiana was human for less time than she was a frog, it was such a pivotal experience seeing her at all.

This Black princess brought groundbreaking representation--gliding across the silver screen in pursuit of her entrepreneurial dreams. The classic"Frog Prince" fairytale became an uplifting story of an ambitious businesswoman who goes after her dreams even after becoming a princess.

Halle Bailey highlights how this movie impacted her perspective in a Glamour Magazine interview:

"I know how much of that movie changed my whole perspective on life...Wow, this is possible. Black princesses are possible. We deserve to take up these spaces too.” --Halle Bailey, "Halle Bailey Is the Moment"

NPR News broadcasted Youth Radio's story "Girls On Disney's First Black Princess," covering kids' reactions to The Princess and the Frog.

Princess Tiana's inspiring journey and the transformative power of her story make her a timeless role model, leaving a lasting impact on young audiences and beyond.

Tears of Joy

Nearly 15 years later, I found myself excitedly waiting to experience another historic film.

Under the sea!

A hush fell over the audience as The Little Mermaid illuminated the screen. Halle's performance and the fairytale's rich storyline captivated audience members of all ages. Applause and singing burst from the crowd when the credits rolled.

I cried so many happy tears for the children tapping into this magic. They see themselves on screen — their hair, skin, beauty, culture, and potential. I cried for my inner child, for Halle, and most importantly, I cried imagining how this film will inspire future changemakers.

As someone who grew up seeing people of color achieving new heights in the 2000s, I fully grasp the significance of witnessing increasingly diverse representation in media and entertainment. It is truly empowering to see oneself in previously unimaginable places such as superhero universes, animated films, Broadway musicals, and fairytales.

"My hopes for this film are just for people to take away such love and joy and happiness when they leave and especially for all of the Black and brown little... boys and girls to be able to see themselves being represented on such a big scale."--Halle Bailey, "Halle Bailey 'Honored' To Play Ariel"

It's an indescribable feeling to suddenly see yourself represented in media and feel your perspective expand about what’s possible. I am overjoyed to see how The Little Mermaid will profoundly influence current and future generations.

Inspiring Lessons of Individuality and Purpose

The Little Mermaid conveys powerful messages about pursuing one’s dreams through Ariel's journey.

In a world constantly discouraging children of color from believing in their possibilities, The Little Mermaid retells a classic tale of love and self-belief starring a courageous Black princess exploring her passions and confidently standing tall in the face of uncertainty.

This film teaches lifelong messages.

Alienated in a world insisting she stays inside a bubble, Ariel chooses to make waves and follow her dreams. Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King, faces similar isolation on land--held back by a society operating on fear of the unknown.

Each of them acts with the courage to step outside of what people deemed appropriate. By standing up for themselves, they gain the freedom to discover new things, explore different cultures, experience personal development, and find each other as soulmates. Their journey unites their worlds, leading a path forward into a more connected and open-minded way of life.

Audiences can leave theaters with an encouraging message to stand up for themselves, follow their purpose, and live life as an adventure.

Lighting the Way Forward

Halle embraces being a positive role model for children.

Halle's authenticity and dedication is inspiring. Her passion for playing Ariel is a reminder of the transformative power of representation.

Entertainment Tonight shares clips of Halle connecting with young fans in this YouTube video.

Standing up against racism and doubt, Halle acts as a catalyst of possibility for children.

Seeing her performance as Ariel, children can be inspired by her embodiment of joy, confidence, courage, and a thirst for discovery. In real life, they can connect with a compassionate and talented creator who pours her soul into her artistic endeavors.

For older audiences, Halle's unwavering determination, authenticity, and compassion serve as a powerful reminder that this is our time to stand up, break barriers, make waves, and inspire upcoming generations.

Waves of Change through Diversity in Media

Representation in media and the arts breathes new life into storytelling.

As I left the movie theater, memories of diverse representation in movies flashed through my mind. Those glimpses of representation opened doors for new heroes of color on screen and diverse creators behind the scenes.

One remarkable example is the 1975 Broadway musical and its 1978 film adaptation, The Wiz. This culturally-infused retelling of The Wizard of Oz created a lasting impact on generations of BIPOC children, igniting their passion for the arts. Read Stephanie Mills' (Dorothy in The Wiz) message of support to Halle Bailey.

Whitney Houston sang "Home" from The Wiz in her 1983 television debut, captivating audiences with her extraordinary talent.

Watch her stunning performance on the Merv Griffin Show below.

Her artistic prowess became a profound inspiration for the singer and actress Brandy Norwood.

Brandy, in turn, made history as the first woman of color to portray Cinderella, positively impacting young girls throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Read more about Brandy's impact as Cinderella.

One such young girl who found inspiration in Brandy's portrayal was Halle Bailey.

“I remember [Brandy’s 1997 movie, Cinderella] was one of the first [films] I saw with a Black princess. It was so monumental. It changes your whole perspective as a young Black woman, how you feel about yourself, what you think you can do, and the possibilities the world has to offer. She’s the blueprint for all of the Black princesses to come.” --Halle Bailey, "Under the Sea and Above It All"

Today, Halle Bailey, along with creators like her, carries the torch of representation, uplifting young generations.

By creating from a place of authenticity and diverse cultural appreciation, people bring unseen lived experiences and heritages to center stage. Guided by this goal, The Little Mermaid's technical and creative members join forces, unveiling a reimagined world brimming with endless possibilities. Reimagining this fairytale from a Caribbean perspective has enriched The Little Mermaid with new cultural significance and Disney magic.

Other modern-day heritage-focused projects include Black Panther, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, Encanto, Once on This Island, Turning Red, Moana, and Ms. Marvel. It is so inspiring to more diversity and authentic cultural representation in media projects today.

Final Thoughts

Representation expands horizons.

The power of representation lies in its ability to validate and empower marginalized communities, instilling a profound sense of belonging, self-worth, and pride. By breaking down barriers and promoting equality, representation plays a crucial role in building a more inclusive society, where every individual's voice is valued and celebrated.

Ultimately, representation in media goes beyond mere visibility. It expands the realm of what is possible and emboldens people to embrace their unique talents and interests, leading them to pursue new and exciting paths.

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Thanks so much for reading!

I am so excited to carry the torch through my media projects and inspire people to embrace all of life's possibilities.

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