Markus Ryder, known for his role as a former chair of the Royal Television Society’s diversity committee, challenged Disney’s The Little Mermaid for how it handles the history of slavery in the Caribbean. He argued on social media that the film is set in the 18th century, a period tied to slave labor, yet depicts fictional Caribbean islanders as living in a world without human rights abuses. Ryder suggested the narrative softens a brutal reality, which he believes deserves clear acknowledgment in children’s media.
“I don’t think we’re doing our children a favor by pretending that slavery doesn’t exist. Uncovering a fantasy story in this time and place is like telling a love story between a Jew and a non-Jew in 1940 Germany and ignoring the Holocaust,” Ryder stated on his platform. His point centers on the responsibility of popular cinema to reflect past suffering honestly, rather than erasing painful chapters to fit a modern, sanitized fantasy.
According to the rights advocate, there were constructive alternatives Disney could have explored. One option he mentions is setting a tale reminiscent of The Little Mermaid in Haiti, a country with a history of struggle and gradual social shifts following the era of slavery. In such a setting, Ariel’s journey toward companionship and autonomy could mirror progress while still acknowledging the scars of the past and the ongoing work toward equality. Ryder posits that a narrative rooted in a more historically conscious landscape could offer stronger lessons about resilience and justice for younger audiences.
Ryder emphasizes that audiences benefit when stories invite children to confront difficult parts of history rather than avoid them. He argues that rich storytelling thrives on truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable. By presenting a world that acknowledges real-world injustices, films can spark thoughtful conversations among families about how societies change, how rights expand, and how culture adapts in the face of hardship. In his view, fantasy should illuminate reality, not obscure it, allowing young viewers to imagine better futures while understanding the weight of history that shapes them.
There is a broader conversation about how beloved classics are reimagined for contemporary audiences. Supporters of more explicit historical framing contend that preserving the memory of past wrongs helps prevent repetition of those harms. They also note that diverse voices deserve to see their histories represented with nuance, dignity, and accuracy in mainstream cinema. The debate touches on creative freedom, audience expectations, and the potential for films to serve as educational experiences for children and families across North America.