03/06/2023
Dear Disney and Halle Bailey,
Thank you.
The Little Mermaid has been my favorite Disney movie since I first saw it as a child. I wore that VHS tape out, rewinding “Part of Your World” and perfecting that hair flip with my box braids.
Ariel was the first princess that didn’t sing like a little girl. She belted the notes and as a kid that sang in the church choir and later, school choirs, I wanted to sing just like her.
I’ve sung that song to all four of my children from the time I knew they existed, until yesterday. I’ll probably sing it until I’m old and gray because that’s the way that Disney movies touch you.
When I saw Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel, I was excited to see the representation. The wonder on kid’s faces as they saw the trailer warmed my heart. I was thrilled they would get to see themselves as Ariel.
But I didn’t expect what happened at the movie theater today when I took my 5 year old son and my adult daughter to see The Little Mermaid.
My son was mesmerized by seeing a mermaid on the screen. He’s never seen the original so it was all new to him. The first tug of emotion came when Halle started singing that familiar song, soon I heard my son’s tiny voice singing the lyrics.
My mom armor cracked.
The song continued and the iconic rock scene appeared before my eyes. I was no longer mom, I was that little 9 year old girl singing in the living room, but this time, Ariel looked like me. Her hair looked almost exactly like my box braids.
It was in that moment, the dam broke. I found myself with a tear soaked face, struggling to control my breathing and sniffles. I debated if I should leave the theater to collect myself but I didn’t want to miss a minute of what was happening before my eyes.
What you have done with The Little Mermaid is healing middle aged Black women’s inner child. I waited my entire childhood to see a princess that looked like me. One that the other girls wanted to be and the love interest wanted to kiss.
Seeing this movie as an adult and knowing my kids won’t know what it feels like to not see themselves in Disney movies means more than I could’ve ever imagined.
Because of this movie, my son will always believe Ariel looks like his mom and sings the song his mom sings while she washes the dishes.
So, thank you for healing a piece of me I didn’t know was broken. Thank you for ensuring no other child has to feel unseen by creators of magic. Thank you for giving 40-somethings like me a moment to hold onto for a lifetime.
Love y’all like cake,
Jacalyn
