THE LITTLE MERMAID

05/29/2023

A lot of people are turned off by the woke theme of the live version of The Little Mermaid while others laud Disney for being inclusive by featuring a black in a character traditionally imagined as white. And then came the studio's poster in China where unlike here and in the West, we clearly see a black mermaid, Ariel is a bit blue.

This is not Disney's first attempt at hiding the color of their actors. The article cites Wakanda Forever and Star Wars TFA where the black actors have been covered or removed. While mouthing "diversity," the other side of its mouth is kowtowing. The studio is as traditional and conventional as a capitalist.

I am reminded of James 3:9-10 chiding the believers for their hypocrisy by using the same mouth to praise God and curse men. The brother of Jesus says this should not be the case for believers. We must be consistent with the use of our tongue that should glorify God otherwise we lose credibility in the eyes of those whom we want to reach for Jesus. Both sides of our mouths must be in synch with the gospel teachings.

We've got bibles and gospels aplenty

We've got whosits and whatsits galore

You want thingamabobs?

We got twenty

But who cares if our words are as reckless and venomous as one who hates God?

Author

Elizabeth Ong

Elizabeth Ong is an author, lecturer, an app creator, and a businesswoman. She has a master's degree in Biblical Studies from Asian Theological Seminary.