Written by Hanyue Zhang 2022 Cohort
Political correctness is a very controversial concept, especially in the recent The Little Mermaid produced by Disney. It has caused many discussions because it chose actors who do not match the animation as the main characters.
As we all know, creation is an integral part of digital media, and ideas are the soul of creation. Different ideas are expressed through different skins. Digital media is the skin cover which carries political correctness. But at the same time, it is worth discussing whether digital media can itself have the power to counter-power and whether it can complement political correctness.
The film is an instance of digital media. As far as The Little Mermaid is concerned, I think the choice of its image is a challenge to the aesthetics of the day after tomorrow. Beauty is not inclusive but objective and needs to conform to specific laws. For example, Gestalt psychology and Golden Section are commonly used in painting. Human aesthetics for human beings consists of genetic factors and acquired factors. The genetic factors select the more robust half based on evolutionary strategies. Aesthetics is derived from this. Also, people think that the power they represent is beautiful. This beauty overlaps with the beauty generated in evolution, but it is not entirely equivalent to the natural aesthetic.
There are many records of white people playing black people in past films and TV programs, such as Angelina Jolie playing Marianne Pearl and Johnny Depp playing Tonto. However, in The Little Mermaid, people unconsciously think that such casting does not conform to the distribution of power and feel uncomfortable because they are used to a world dominated by white people. So to some extent, the movie is a good start. Although there are many problems, it is worth an exercise to improve gradually.
Political correctness was born in the background of white supremacy and patriarchal values. To some extent, it has played a check and balance effect, giving disadvantaged groups, such as women, sexual minorities, and people of colour, more display space and development opportunities. It is a more inclusive ideology that promotes communication and development. However, It is born out of the reality of inequality, so its consciousness inevitably contains discrimination. It covers up the absolute power relationship. Let’s wait and see whether political correctness can solve our real problems.