By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Last week, Disney Junior released a new series called “Ariel” where the main Disney princess Ariel is Black. According to Dr. Tiana Moore, founder and CEO of Black in Marine Science (BIMS), this is major milestone because it allows young Black children, particularly young Black Girls, to see themselves represented in a significant way by Disney.
Founded in 2020, BIMS aims to address the lack of diversity in marine science by celebrating Black marine scientists, spreading environmental awareness, and inspiring the next generation of scientific leaders.
“Our overall goal is to change the face that people see as scientists and provide barrier-free programs to Black communities,” says Moore.
“Disney princesses are often among the first role models that children encounter, and it is truly special to see oneself in that role,” Moore continues. “This representation validates the sense of belonging for Black children and reinforces their presence in various spaces, even if they are fictional. While The Little Mermaid movie with Halle Bailey was a one-time event, this new series allows ongoing representation.”
When it comes to diversity in marine sciences, there is still a lot of work to do. The effects of climate change, changes in sea levels, and the rise of nutrient pollution disproportionately impact Black and underserved communities. Moore believes that the voices and minds of Black people need to be more involved in creating change in the world.
“Less than 2% of PhDs go to Black people in marine science. Due to the work that we have done at BIMS, we have over 500 members in 32 countries. While we are a low percentage, we are a high number of individuals with potential for impact and change,” says Moore.
“These disparities stem from historical trauma (racism and segregation) highlighting the urgency for a comprehensive understanding of these impacts and the need to educate our communities about them,” she added. “We acknowledge the existing barriers stemming from the historical relationship between Black individuals and water and are committed to overcoming these obstacles.”
Creating shows with diverse characters is crucial for fostering representation and inclusion. The new series featuring a Black Ariel can inspire children, especially Black girls, to engage with marine science by seeing characters who look like them.
“Ariel was my favorite Disney princess as a kid, and now I am a marine scientist. I am not sure how realistic they will make it or if they will show scientists, but even with Ariel being Black they [children] will have a better understanding and relationship with water and they won’t be as afraid of going into the ocean and possibly pursuing an ocean-related career,” says Moore.
Moore believes that a lot of the time when we see Black kids in the media, they are in poverty, lacking education, and not a star of the series. With the help of Disney Junior’s new Ariel series and the work being conducted at BIMS, Black joy and Black excellence are being highlighted more in the media and within the marine science field, but there is always room for improvement.
“We can better represent Black girls and boys in the media with more Black joy,” says Moore. “I would like to see Black Joy and Black Excellence better represented. There are many different facets of Black people, and we should see Black people in a multitude of different stories and occupations, and this series is the best way to begin representing Black kids.”
“It is important for people to know about BIMS and the new Ariel series because black is the new blue,” added Moore. “There is a new wave of marine scientists and Black people in general who are excited about the ocean and want to know more.”
Moore believes that with the release of the new series and having a Black Ariel, the show can help bring the organization’s goal to life.
“People need to know about BIMS because we are leading the charge in getting more Black people in the ocean. With our programming we are breaking down those barriers by teaching people how to swim, scuba dive, to do research, and taking people to conferences about the ocean,” says Moore.
Disney Junior’s decision to create a series with a Black Ariel comes at a time when representation in media is critically important. The visibility of Black characters in positive and diverse roles can influence young minds and broaden their perspectives. Moore sees this as a step forward in the right direction, though she acknowledges that there is still much work to be done.
The new Ariel series offers an opportunity to inspire the next generation of Black marine scientists. Through BIMS’ efforts and the visibility provided by mainstream media, young Black children can see a future for themselves in fields they may have never considered. This representation is more than symbolic; it can lead to real-world changes in who participates in scientific discovery and environmental stewardship.
“We need to see more Black joy and excellence represented in the media. There are many facets to Black people, and we should see them in a variety of stories and occupations. This series is a great start,” says Moore.