Part 7/9:
Critics argue that Disney, and the media more broadly, are prepared to blame The Little Mermaid’s potential underperformance on racism. If the film does not meet expectations, the narrative is likely to be that racist audiences rejected a Black Ariel, rather than considering other factors like storyline, marketing, or overall execution.
Historically, Disney and other entertainment giants have resorted to damage control by attributing failures to audience bias. Examples include Disney's handling of Obi-Wan Kenobi's character Riva, where blame was shifted onto viewers' prejudices. The pattern suggests that advertisers and studios want to protect their investments by framing backlash as rooted in bigotry—an easy scapegoat, but one that oversimplifies complex audience reactions.