I sometimes wonder if authors and filmmakers are scared to write about us. So rarely are we main characters, and so rarely are stories told through our eyes. Where we are featured in literature, PotO tend to be characteristically the same – we're often the best friend or a love interest for a human character. We have a range of jobs, hobbies and interests. Ocean People are exactly the same as Land People. To suggest that all PotO sit around all day singing and wearing seashells is deeply oceanophobic. "No we don't need any more books about mermaids," publishing people said, "it's been DONE." Well I don't think Ariel's experience speaks for us all. Sadder still, after The Little Mermaid came out in 1989 (yikes, that makes me feel old) a lot of people seemed to think our story had been sufficiently covered forever. Stories which add to myths about my people are worse than no stories at all. PotO aren't bad people we aren't deviants we aren't trying to drown sailors with our mystical powers. This is about fair representation of a minority group. Those that did portrayed us in a very stereotypical fashion. You'll note that none of these books feature PotO characters. Like legged humans, I grew up on Point Horrors, Sweet Valley High, Doctor Who paperbacks and Babysitter's Club. As a fully-grown PotO, I am now hugely proud of my glistening scales and ability to breathe underwater, but I can't help but think life could have been so much easier had I had some early role-models in books.
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