Diversity for Diversity’s Sake

written by 20215 Lee Shi Hyeon

On the surface, the animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and the live-action The Little Mermaid may seem to share some similarities as reimaginings of familiar stories in popular culture. 

However, beneath the surface, the films took vastly different approaches in their attempts to bring diversity and inclusivity to the silver screen. 

While one faltered in its execution due to controversy, the other soared to new artistic heights and critical acclaim through its kaleidoscopic visuals and nuanced storytelling.

Spider-Verse’s Inclusive Web

In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, audiences are reintroduced to Miles Morales, a teenager of Afro-Latino descent who took on the mantle of Spider-Man. 

Rather than replacing Peter Parker, the original Spider-Man who appeared in 1962, Miles exists alongside other iterations of Spider-Man in a parallel universe.

By bringing together Spider-People of different genders, ethnicities and backgrounds, the long-awaited sequel promoted diversity and inclusion in a nuanced way. 

Characters hailing from distinct worlds yet sharing a common goal to protect what they hold dear, their differences in experience, skill sets and web-slinging styles only further highlight how people from all walks of life can work together harmoniously without adhering to a single image.

By representing minorities and promoting cross-cultural cooperation, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse sets an example of how to craft impactful stories in today’s global landscape. The film appeals to audiences of all backgrounds with its humor, heart and hopeful message that anyone can wear the mask.

Controversy Behind The Little Mermaid

Unfortunately, Disney’s casting of Halle Bailey, a Black actress, in their new vision of Ariel was met with mixed reactions.

This decision sparked various debates about representation in the industry. 

While some of these debates were not in good faith, there were ones that involved opinions about how the casting choice clashed with the source material. 

They focused on how Ariel, a mermaid based on the Danish story written by Hans Christian Andersen, should be played by an actress more reflective of her European heritage. Some saw the decision as needless “race-bending,” prioritizing diversity over faithfulness.

Critics argued that since the film is set in a fantastical underwater world, Disney could have done more to adhere to the ethnicity change they implemented, saying there was room for greater sensitivity to cultural elements. 

Netizens concurred, citing that simply changing a character’s appearance might not address the deeper issues of representation.

Simply put, a single casting choice alone does not necessarily make a film inclusive or empowering. True inclusiveness requires nuance, authenticity and a real understanding of the communities you aim to represent rather than potentially exploiting a change in appearance for commercial gain.

True Inclusion VS. Superficial Diversity

Rather than a superficial nod to diversity through casting choices alone, Spider-Verse wove diversity and inclusiveness into its very fabric.

Characters were fully realized, with complex backstories and character arcs that did not rely on or tokenize their ethnicities. 

They were heroes that just happened to be diverse, not diverse heroes. This was a key distinction that allowed audiences of all backgrounds to connect with and find inspiration in these characters.

Conversely, Disney’s alteration of Ariel’s race in The Little Mermaid seemed a hollow attempt at diversity that rang false. Ariel’s character was not meaningfully changed or developed to match Bailey’s race or background. The casting choice merely came across as an empty gesture.

When developing an inclusive narrative, authenticity is key. 

Diverse characters should have depth and complexity that extends far beyond their gender, ethnicity or background. They should be fully integrated into well-crafted stories that give meaningful representation to their experiences.

A Genuine Effort

Rather than changing the race of existing characters, a better approach to increasing diversity and representation is creating new characters and stories that authentically reflect different cultures. Developing an original black princess with her own story could provide an empowering role model and inspire children in a more meaningful way.

The differing reactions to Spider-Verse and The Little Mermaid demonstrate that diversity and representation are best achieved through organic, well-crafted storytelling rather than surface-level tokenism. 

Forced or imitative choices tend to ring hollow and provoke a backlash, while diversity that is directly incorporated into a story feels meaningful. Substance should be prioritized over posturing.

While The Little Mermaid attempted to make a statement, its efforts fell flat and came across as superficial. 

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’s celebration of differences and outsiderness, on the other hand, gave audiences of all backgrounds a story they could see themselves in. 

Representation is not just about checking boxes; it’s about crafting characters and worlds that resonate with audiences on a deeper level. On that front spins a web of imagination and heart.