Black family celebrates new princess Ariel | The Express Tribune

Los Angeles:

When Shannon and Chandra Lanier showed their kids the trailer Little Jalpri Featuring the black American singer Halle Bailey as Ariel, she drew cheers and shouts of “She’s Black!” met with the screams of Shannon uploaded her kids’ reactions to the trailer on Instagram in celebration of the new black iteration of the classic princess film.

Like many other black children and parents, the Laniers felt they were being watched when a new version of Ariel floated behind her with red locks. The film has sparked racist backlash from some, but others are rejoicing.

Reuters Shannon, Chandra and their son Carter, 6, and daughters McKenzie, 9, and Madison, 11, spoke about what Black Ariel means to them.

“We were really surprised and we were really excited,” Madison said. “We’re really happy that it’s going to happen,” McKenzie said, adding that she’s happy there’s a black mermaid because there’s such a princess or prince for kids. It is good to have one who is like them.

His father Shannon, founder of the Daddy Duty podcast that shares positive images of fathers, said it’s a big step for Disney, but more work is needed to improve diversity in workplaces across the industry. need to.

Carter wanted to see a black prince added to the Disney roster, so he could see himself and other black boys in the franchise’s films. “Now seeing how a princess can have skin color and have someone besides Princess Tiana and Princess Jasmine representing her – that’s great for me,” said her mother, Chandra. Mother Chandra said.

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