Caribbean Matters: Disney's next Little Mermaid is from the Caribbean

Those of you who don’t have preschool-aged kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews may not be up on the latest television programming produced for that age group. You may, however, be aware of the racist backlash that took place when Disney produced “The Little Mermaid” movie starring Halle Bailey, who is Black. Mermaids, according to racists, have to be white.  

Well, Disney has done it again in a TV series, and this time Ariel, the little mermaid, is a delightful Black eight year old with lovely burgundy locks, who lives in an underwater Caribbean kingdom called Atlantica. The show premiers June 27 on Disney Jr. with additional episodes airing June 28 on Disney+.

One wonders whether Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will mount an anti-Ariel campaign given his interference in all things Black and educational and Disney, and his antipathy toward Caribbean American folks who live in “his” state.

Caribbean Matters is a weekly series from Daily Kos. If you are unfamiliar with the region, check out Caribbean Matters: Getting to know the countries of the Caribbean.