#journey of the little mermaid

[haveamagicalday]

[romancemedia]

Disney Girls getting Makeovers

[missattau]

under da sea!!

[causeilovesome1]

little mermaid fanart !

[shadowed + unshadowed versions!]

[girltalkcollectives]

Dating Someone Who "Doesn't See Color" Until It's A Black Ariel

You know what's wild? Finding out your boyfriend has an issue with Black representation while you, his Black girlfriend, are sitting right there.

We were having a normal Tuesday night, scrolling through TikTok together when a clip from the new Little Mermaid came up. Halle Bailey was singing "Part of Your World" (absolutely killing it, by the way), and I was getting emotional because - hello - we finally got a Black Disney princess who isn't a frog for 90% of the movie.

Then my boyfriend said it: "I don't get why they had to change her. The original was perfect. It's like they're just doing this to be different."

I literally felt my body freeze. Here I am, a Black woman, sitting next to someone I'm dating, while he complains about a Black woman being cast as a fictional character.

The Layers of This Moment:

Let me break down what it feels like to hear your white boyfriend complain about a Black Ariel:

It's personal (because hello, I'm right here?)

It's hurtful (so what other "changes" bother you?)

It's revealing (oh, so this is who you are)

It's exhausting (here we go again)

The Conversation That Followed:

Me: "What do you mean 'change her'?"

Him: "You know what I mean. The original is classic. Why do they have to change everything these days?"

Me: "So a mermaid can be half-fish but can't be Black?"

Him: "That's not what I'm saying. You're making this about race."

Sir. YOU made it about race.

The Personal Hit Different:

You want to know what really got me? While he's sitting there complaining about "forced diversity," he's literally dating a Black woman. Make it make sense.

It made me question:

Does he see me as an exception?

Is he okay with Black people as long as we stay in our "lane"?

How does he talk about race when I'm not around?

Does he even understand why this matters to me?

The Uncomfortable Questions:

I started thinking about:

All the times he said he "doesn't see color"

When he dismissed conversations about representation

His "jokes" about certain movies being "too diverse"

How he never quite understood my experiences

The way he'd minimize racial discussions

When It Got Personal:

I tried explaining to him: "Do you understand that when you complain about a Black Ariel, you're basically saying people who look like me shouldn't take up these spaces? That your girlfriend, a Black woman, shouldn't be seen in these roles?"

His response? "You're being too sensitive. It's just a movie."

It's never just a movie.

What It Revealed:

If he couldn't understand why a Black Ariel matters to me:

Does he really see me?

Does he understand my experiences?

Would he stand up for me?

Does he respect my culture?

Will he ever really get it?

The Reality Check:

Dating someone who claims to love you but has an issue with people who look like you being represented is a special kind of hurt.

It's like saying: "I love you as an individual, but people like you should know their place."

Why It Mattered:

As a Black woman:

I grew up rarely seeing myself in princess movies

I never got to be Ariel in playground games

I was always told certain roles "weren't for me"

I had to fight to feel represented

I deserved better than someone who couldn't understand that

The Break Up:

When I ended things, he said I was "making everything about race."

No, baby. YOU made it about race when you couldn't handle a Black mermaid while dating a Black woman.

What I Learned:

Sometimes racism comes in "preferences"

Dating a Black person doesn't make you anti-racist

"I don't see color" actually means "I don't see you"

Your partner should understand why representation matters to you

Some differences aren't about opinion - they're about respect

To my Black girls dating non-Black people: You deserve someone who celebrates all of you, who understands why representation matters, and who would never make you feel like you need to shrink yourself or justify your existence in any space.

And to my ex: Halle Bailey ate that role up. Die mad about it.

[familyofpaladins]

I Choose ones that are actually sequels, not prequels or inbetweeners (sorry lion king 1/2 and Bambi 2). Also had to be direct to video, not theater release (I'm very sad I couldnt include Return to Neverland but it had a theatrical release).

Theres still others that fit this bill, but I selected ones that I've actually seen/own or ones I thought were "bigger"/better known

[robotmechagirl]

Would love to be able to sing with a fem voice. Feel like the sea witch, Ursula, still has it though. :/

7 months HRT complete

[annaberunoyume]

It's never too late to come out...

Picture source: https://animationscreencaps.com/the-little-mermaid-2-return-to-the-sea-2000/page/21

[hatterhare]

im Ariel Little Mermaid in the most trans man way possible

[flyingturtlepei]

I love the trope of "main/side Character encounters another character for a fleeting moment and they get indirectly sent further on their journey through this comedic/unfortunate encounter." Is that a trope? I'm claiming it is now.

[haveamagicalday]

I want to see, want to see them dancing

[julili]

found time to fulfill some requests! thank you all so much for your asks, it means a lot to me <3

[romancemedia]

Cartoon Girls + Unwanted Attention

[causeilovesome1]

little mermaid fanart?

[girlswithambition]

people: But Ariel only went to land for a maaaaaaan!

meanwhile, Eric: