The acting industry in Hollywood has been getting criticized for their ongoing racism. The Practice and race switching cast has been controversial as it was traditionally “white roles”. The intent behind race switching is a way to promote diversity, but usually fails to address issues and equity instead. The thought of race switching can both be good and bad as it has different intakes and benefits. Some of the positive benefits are the promotion and diversity and having people of color included. The negatives can be that black women should have their original character in a movie, show etc. Basically a CEO.
In “The Little Mermaid” there were many different thoughts and opinions on this. The race switching from a traditional, redheaded, blue-eyed white girl to Halle Bailey was taken the wrong way. People took it the wrong way when the intention of this wasn’t to offend anyone or even receive any backlash. It was more to have black young girls or even grown adults feel like they’re also princesses. “She’s like me!” “She’s like me!” (The Washington Post video). A young black girl was excited to see a princess/mermaid that’s the same color as her. This also proves they can be heroes and belong in any spaces, especially a fairytale or fantasy that they admire. Personally, since I was young, I’ve always felt like having an acting career is cool so seeing young black girls feeling included finally makes them feel like they have an opportunity and inspires them by sending a powerful message that their talent is achievable and possible. In the Washington Post video, I saw a little colored girl yelling out of joy after seeing someone she feels she can relate to. The representation in the media impacts self-esteem and boosts their confidence. I do believe this is a step forward in the Hollywood acting industry and also do believe people‘s intake on this race switching is unnecessary just because they know colored people don’t have high opportunities or even get any recognition so having an iconic role can positively impact one’s confidence. Bailey getting backlash defeats the purpose of why the race switching was done to begin with. Many people are upset about the race more than Bailey’s talent in the role. Although there were some people who accepted Bailey’s talent, they still failed to accept that the purpose was to promote diversity. People don’t see Hollywood step forward into their preferences and racism.
Many critics weren’t satisfied with the replacement of Ariel in The Little Mermaid when Bailey got an opportunity to have her role. “The announcement of Bailey’s casting in 2019 was initially met with backlash; some critics disagreed with the decision to cast Halle Baileys, who is black and argued that the person chosen to play. Ariel should’ve been white.” (The Washington Post 2023). The race switching situation was to mainly promote diversity, not to receive backlash. By one relating to someone with an iconic role can make them feel seen and valued. Even a colored woman having a huge opportunity to have an iconic role just to receive backlash from it is saddening. It’s understanding that we’ve pictured Ariel as a white girl but society proves to focus more on race than roles.
In Hollywood, the acting industry, black actresses often have a hard time as they face some challenges due to the systemic racism and biases in the industry. Black actresses seem to struggle on getting the same amount of recognition a white actress gets. Not only do black actresses fail to get enough recognition, but the lack of support they get makes it harder for them to navigate their careers and find themselves comfortable in an industry that’s doing everything but supporting them. When getting ready to perform their role, they face a few challenges with their makeup and hair on set. There aren’t many people that know how to style their hair properly. “ Only 29% of all roles and feature films go to women and that percentage includes all actresses. For black actresses, the situation is significantly worse according to the latest figures from the screen actors black actresses are cast in only 10% of all female roles in major film and TV projects.” Black actresses are often stereotyped into roles that limit their acting and performance. They’re highly likely to be painted stupid, angry, villain, etc. On the other hand, this complexity isn’t the same as a white actress. It’s obvious enough to see the lack of diversity in this story’s role. Hollywood’s Scripts are mainly written from a white perspective.
Although the race switching in The Little Mermaid shows a step forward of diversity in Hollywood, there’s still more fixing in the industry, such as under representation and systemic racism. Hollywood may be going in the right direction, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t missing some changes. “The same inequality can be said about Hollywood, which is the benchmark of television and film excellence across the globe. Although representation of women in films have improved in recent years. This growth has been migrated by the fact that has only been a 3% increase and female employment in the 250 top grossing films since 1998” (Majiba, June 2023) This goes to show how often not only women but black women has always had there struggles in industry’s they’ve looked forward to. It’s hard to have a passionate career in acting but you get mistreated due to your race. Although I do agree on the race switching act, it does seem like a backhanded way to have black women feel accepted. “Changing
the race of Ariel is nothing but cheap, second-hand representation that I’m
not backing. Ariel’s story is one that has already been told through Hans
Christensen Andersen’s fairy-tale and the 1989 Disney adaption and she’s
been a little white mermaid. I don’t see why it’s time she is now black and
why this had us as a race so happy . Now, above I did say that if we are given a new story and being asked to see things from a different perspective, race switching is fair and justified but this doesn’t apply here.” ( The Final Cutback, 2019). It is obvious that they didn’t really put an effort into making one feel included and it is backhanded, but I do notice many people being happy to see someone they see in them. It is a very cheap way to promote diversity but this did take a step forward into recognition for a black woman’s performance but then again some recognition wasn’t taken in a positive manner.
Regarding Halle Bailey, she shouldn’t have received backlash for her role. That’s intention was to include people of color and have some sort of diversity. Criticizing Bailey’s role in the little mermaid under-estimates the process of Hollywood having a better industry for more of an equitable and diverse industry. Colored women should have way more recognition due to the fact that they have brought diverse perspectives and a unique background. This allows future generations to have more confidence to pursue their dreams. Not only do black actresses not get enough recognition or have a better role but the pay is different compared to their white counterparts. Although they do deliver strong performance and great skills, they are more often paid less for their hard work. This also allows young audiences to see themselves in someone with a big role that they adore. Also, the amount of stress these black women or colored women face in the industry has impacted their mental health by going through discrimination, criticism and lack of opportunities.
“The white nostalgia fueling the ‘Little mermaid’ Brooke Newman, 9 July 2019
“I Don’t Want a Black Ariel.”— Why We Shouldn’t Be Satisfied With Race
Switching | The Final Cutback July 2019
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