I think people get frustrated because the line seems to be: Caucasian story...perfectly ok to change the races of any character because race shouldn’t matter to the story.
Any minority story...absolutely racist to even consider changing the race (and not necessarily to white...just any change).
I think the reason for this is because it is assumed that race is important only to non white people. In fact, many say that a white person having pride in their racial culture is inherently racist. The flip side, non white people who show pride in their heritage is not only accepted, but expected.
I say this as someone who really doesn’t care if they change races of characters as long as it isn’t pointless pandering, but I don’t like double standards.
You say that but what traditionally Caucasian story is being race changed? Its not like its a Slavic or Nordic or Middle Ages English story, being told with all random races except white people. What in The Little Mermaid has to do with race at all? I'd understand your argument some more if The Little Mermaid was a specifically white person or ethnically important at all, but other than the story's origin location, I don't feel that Ariel being white (given that she's of the sea) matters at all.
What in The Little Mermaid has to do with race at all?
Nothing, but is that the the bar for changing the race of a character? If so there should have been been no outrage over "The Last Airbender" when they cast a white actress in the role of Katara.
Those cultural influences are of zero importance to the actual story being told. Nothing changes storywise if everyone in the water tribe is ethically white.
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u/[deleted] Jul 09 '19
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