There are many cultures around the world that have tales of sea creatures -- If Disney is interested in marketing toward non-Native Europeans of many different backgrounds, I suspect they would have no trouble making a beautiful film about any of the different myths and stories from around the wider world which would better represent those demographics, rather "Blackwash" (to use a crude term akin to 'whitewash' -- but accurate) Denmark's Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid."

They might consider a tale of the Japanese Ningyo, or the Marakihau of the Maori. They could choose to cast a Hindu or Cambodian actress with an eye toward Asian markets, and relay the story of a mermaid princess named Suvannamaccha.

Blackwashing Native European history and myths and stories is deceitful -- removing identifying markers which have been passed down from parents to children in the name of continuity in heritage and shared history --- and destroys culture. Over time, this type of propaganda is detrimental not only to the biological and philosophical inheritors of "The Little Mermaid", but everyone else as well.

Zendaya is a talented actress, and she would do well in a role representing her own people and own heritage. She deserves that, as do all.