Is the Seaweed Really Much Greener? 🧜🏽‍♀️

Ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah! 🎶

Isn't it a nice image? A woman on a rock, singing her heart out and enjoying the sound and beauty of her own voice, not giving a thought to who hears or or what people think.

Yeah, okay. There are women who do have that type of healthy relationship with their voices.

But I can tell you as somebody who has been in the world of empowerment self-defense since 2016, that this type of relationship with our voice is rare.

And it takes time and work to develop.

I can not tell you how many women have stood with me in a circle as we explore the power of our voices, and giggled at the thought of yelling. I've watched their shoulders slump as they retreat into themselves.

The saddest thing is, it's not just adult women. I've seen girls as young as five hesitate to speak loudly and assertively.

I've seen women of all ages look at sweet, little me in shock as I've demonstrated yelling "NO!!!" And then express surprise that I expect them to do the same.

And I know they are more than capable yelling with the same energy and force.

So why the fear, hesitation, and doubt?

We expect babies to cry as soon as they're born. Most toddlers don't have a problem expressing themselves at whatever volume.

And yet, by a certain age, all of that changes, especially for girls.

Why? Well, too many reasons to list. But here's something I know for sure.

Messages, especially ones wrapped in gorgeous cinematography and incredible music (like medicine for a dog wrapped in a pill pocket) certainly don't do us any favors.

Messages, especially ones wrapped in gorgeous cinematography and incredible music (like medicine for a dog wrapped in a pill pocket) certainly don't do us any favors.

Enter the horrifying messages of the1989 version of The Little Mermaid.

Which yes, was a movie I loved as a child. Even with my little sister, who at the time hadn't even really learned how to speak but definitely had a voice. I bought the VHS tape with my allowance money. I thought Flounder was the most adorable Disney character ever. I still know most of the lyrics. So don't worry. I get the nostalgia, I promise you. It will always have a place in my heart.

I haven't seen the remake yet, but I will. In the meantime, I took one for the team and rewatched the original. I just have to wonder why on earth anyone would want to remake it. Yes, lyrics can be omitted or altered.

But...

Still, I can't help but wonder wonder. At the new movie's core, can the seaweed really be much greener?

But first.

I have watched the videos of girls reacting to Halle Bailey as The Little Mermaid and been in awe. I could watch all day. Never before has the world had such concrete proof as to how much representation matters.

“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.”

So I do realize that my earlier question about the remake shows my privilege. And this post only made that realization even stronger:

“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.”

~ Jacalyn Wetzel

It's because of these reactions that I'm glad the movie was remade, and by exploring what I see as flaws in the original and my concerns about the live action version, I am in no way intending to invalidate anybody's experiences or feelings about either version, or the extraordinary talent of Halle Bailey.

I'm writing this based on my own experience with the story. And also as a professional in the field of violence prevention education, as a survivor of... a lot (as many of us are), and as a human.

Now that we've established that, here we go:

Of course Ariel wants to leave.

Because:

1. At the age of sixteen (though that's not mentioned in the remake), she is being completely exploited for her body and her voice, and forced to perform to make her father look good.

I’m sorry for asking. Actually, more uncomfortable than sorry. But does this scene not have shades of JonBenet Ramsey? Can you blame Ariel for a) not showing up at the concert and b) wanting to get the hell out of dodge?

2. Her father’s behavior is more than a little abusive. I don’t blame him for being protective. He has a point. But look at this nightmare:

Note: I sent this clip to my mother. Her first reaction was that as Triton gets angrier, his skin gets darker. Make of that what you will.

Again, Ariel is sixteen. (Like some other characters we know and love.) Her father has a right to forbid her to go up to the surface, and it’s for her own good. But yelling like that and destroying the things she loves? Not listening to her? Not recognizing her pain?

There is no excuse.

(You want to tell me that he changes at the end of the movie? Yeah, I know he does. Good for him. The beast in Beauty and the Beast changes too. But let’s not forget he kidnapped Belle and her father. For me, there aren't enough magical libraries in the world to erase that memory. And at the end of the Little Mermaid, Triton makes Ariel human? Great. Redemption. Still not going to get past the abuse. Singing crabs and charming seagulls? Pill pockets, people. Remember the pill pockets.)

Which explains why she takes the first opportunity she gets, no matter the sacrifice.

Ursula sees the abuse. She gets it. She knows that Ariel would rather live under her rule as some sort of creepy eel than go back to living with her father:

“My dear, sweet child. That's what I do. It's what I live for. To help unfortunate merfolk like yourself. Poor souls with no one else to turn to.”

And look how easy that makes it to fill Ariel’s head with this garbage:

No spoilers here. We all know Ariel gives up her voice. We can justify it all we want by saying she was always infatuated with the human world.

But it’s her voice.

And by voice, I mean so much more than the sounds produced by her larynx. Check out the rest of what Ursula actually says:

“You'll have your looks, your pretty face. And don't underestimate the importance of body language, ha! The men up there don't like a lot of blabber. They think a girl who gossips is a bore! Yet on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word. And after all dear, what is idle babble for? Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation. True gentlemen avoid it when they can. But they dote and swoon and fawn. On a lady who's withdrawn.

It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man.”

I can’t. I just can’t.

Another note: We are all free to make our own choices. In real life, I actually wouldn't judge or blame anyone for changing their entire life for whatever reason. I'd worry. But not judge.

My problem here is with the messages being sent to the masses.

I know some of these lyrics have been changed in the live action version. Thank goodness. But is the concept really that different?

As somebody pointed out when I asked about the changes in the live action version, “Well, she still gives up her voice. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be The Little Mermaid.”

Enough said.

The Problems that are Eric is a two way street.

Problem 1:

According to the contract Ariel signs with Ursula, she has three days to get Eric to kiss her. Or rather, she has three days to trick / coerce / manipulate Eric into kissing her.

Wait. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but clearly, there is a problem with consent here somewhere. Right?

So, not only is our beloved Sebastian manipulating Eric (though yes, it’s to save Ariel), he actually assures him that, “And she won't say a word. Until you kiss the girl.”

Translation: "Don't worry, Prince Eric. Do what you will. She's not capable of saying no."

Translation: "Don't worry, Prince Eric. Do what you will. She's not capable of saying no."

Uh huh. I know I’m not the only one hearing alarm bells. The powers that be at Disney must have heard them too, because in the remake, Sebastian says, “Use your words, boy, and ask her, if the time is right and the time is tonight, Go on and kiss the girl.”

I love that change. But I still think the original lyrics are implied in there somewhere.

And um... Isn't Ariel sixteen? And isn't Eric a prince? Got to love that power dynamic.

Problem 2:

Eric leads Ariel on. He gives her his time and energy, taking her on romantic boat rides, blah blah blah. And when Vanessa (who is of course evil, as her brown hair implies more than thet fact that she's really Ursula) enters the scene, his behavior with Ariel doesn’t change.

Even when he gets engaged.

But Ariel still wants him. She kind of has to want him, I suppose. Otherwise, well, you know.

All right then.

Problem 3:

I know, I know. One of the main reasons the live action is so long is that there are more scenes showing Ariel and Eric bonding and showing how much they have in common.

But not counting the time Ariel saved him, the whole love story takes place over three days.

Three days!

It's what I call West Side Story Syndrome. Ever notice that Tony and Maria only know each other for twenty-four hours when they decide to run off and get married, even though she knows he's just killed her brother? No? Most of us don't. But for some reason, there was a remake of that, too.

Please see my earlier comments regarding pill pockets.

Yet another note: Is it just me, or do Sebastian and Anita need to go out for coffee? Or maybe a drink?

Yes. All of this matters. A lot.

Our voices, whether they’re expressed vocally, in print, though sign, through art, are the biggest gift we have.

75% of attacks can be stopped by the use of voice and body language. Our voices give us energy and strength to fight, literally and figuratively. Our voices help us breathe.

Our thoughts and opinions matter, as do our needs and wants, and should be heard.

I hope and pray daily that girls, teens, and women will walk into self-defense classes already comfortable using and savoring the full power of their voices, with no hesitation, fear, or guilt.

I hope and pray daily that girls, teens, and women will walk into self-defense classes already comfortable using and savoring the full power of their voices, with no hesitation, fear, or guilt.

I'm not afraid to dream. Maybe someday, self--defense classes won't even be necessary.

We are no longer in 1989. It is now 2023.

Don’t we have newer, more empowering stories to tell, with songs that have the potential to become ingrained in our lives?

Don’t we have newer, more empowering stories to tell, with songs that have the potential to become ingrained in our lives?

I’m pretty sure this news about Hidden Figures means the answer to that is yes. Just imagine the joy in the TikTok videos a movie like that would inspire.

Little boys and little girls (and until things change, adults too) deserve to see strong female role models and build their sense of respect for themselves and others.

Don’t we all deserve to see more of this?

And less (or none) of this?

Instead of an Ariel with her hands on her throat signaling that she can't talk, let's remember her on the rock, completely at home in her own strength and power.

That's the type of human the media, including Disney, should encourage us to be.

So no. The people at Disney can stand on their heads and do backflips to make the story more palatable for a 2023 audience. But with a premise about a woman (child, really) giving up her voice for somebody she doesn't even know (especially an authority figure like a prince), there is absolutely no way they can make the seaweed that much greener.

And that, dear readers, is my unpopular opinion.

Thank you for reading.

How do you feel about your own voice? What are your thoughts on The Little Mermaid?