I had a friend in college who loved Ariel above all other Disney princesses. She said, “Ariel is the only princess who actually went out and fought for what she wanted - and that shows strength.” In a way I can see that point of view - but now that I am raising two young girls into young women, I question that logic. What did Ariel want? A boyfriend. And how did she get him? She had to completely change who she was. Anybody who has ever been involved in a serious relationship knows that isn’t usually successful.
I’d like to believe the story of The Little Mermaid has more depth than that. In the beginning of the story - both the humans and the merfolk have serious discrimination issues rooted in an ignorance of the values they share. In the end of the story, each group will need to find a way to coexist with the other. I believe it’s possible in the story, in our schools and in our communities - to find that ability to coexist together without needing to change our core values at all.
Having the opportunity to work with these amazing middle school children has proven that can be true. They have come together with different talents, different views, from different backgrounds, and have become an ensemble that’s more like a family than a club. They care about each other, support each other, and have developed friendships that will, hopefully, continue after our last curtain call. I’m so incredibly proud of each of them.
And whether you’d love to be “Under the Sea” or sail above the “Fathoms Below,” remember that everyone around you is “Part of Your World,” and let’s approach the Holiday Season with a smile for everyone.
-Cindy Hill
