Thread by @PaigeLeitman

Black mermaids? Let's talk. I'm a PhD Marine Biologist. (The Florida State University, 2001, PhD marine science - look me up on LinkedIn for details.)

TLDR - Professional marine biologist is 100% here for #blackmermaids. They are magical, powerful, inspiring figures. 1/7

Some people are saying that there can't be #blackmermaids because there isn't enough sunlight underwater to necessitate dark skin tones to protect an organism from UV damage to the skin.

EXCEPT... 2/7

Most fish from deep water where there is very little light are black, dark gray, or deep brown. A fair few night-time and midwater fish are red because red wavelengths are rapidly attenuated in the water and many fish can't see them. Bright red = camouflage. 3/7 #blackmermaids

So if Ariel is red-haired, it's actually MORE logical that she's dark skinned as well.

Even if she's a shallow water mermaid she should be brightly colored like other fish on coral reefs, not white. 4/7 #blackmermaids

Don't use science to justify your racism. It's ugly, it's dumb, and real scientists won't stand for it.

MOST IMPORTANTLY... Ariel is a mermaid, a mythological creature and doesn't follow laws of biology. She can be any color in the world and it's valid. 5/7 #blackmermaids

FURTHERMORE, too many black kids don't know how to swim because black people have been chased out of pools by white people for most of our country's history. This is sad (because swimming is fun!) and dangerous because they are at risk of drowning. 6/7 #blackmermaids

Our society absolutely needs more #blackmermaids . That will help more children be excited about learning to swim and normalize the idea that black people can, do, and should enjoy swimming. Also, black children need cartoon heroes that look like them. Representation matters. 7/7

Fin.

PS Also I'm 100% here for trans merfolx and nonbinary merfolx. Fish are NOT NEARLY as hung up on gender as a lot of human people are. That's a rant for another day, but if you need that rant, you let me know and I will bring it RIGHT OUT for you.

Okay - lots of requests for this rant. Give me a day or two. Big D&D day today and no time to do it justice. <3

Also when @TheRaDR RTs you... day made. You're one of my heroes! <3