Disney has just taken a huge step forward towards greater inclusivity.
While they’ve taken great leaps in the past, this latest example is most telling. It’s been revealed that Disney will no longer consider scripts that are well-written if they lack diversity.
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Representation matters and they have gone above and beyond to abide by that. Keep reading to learn more about their promise.
Over the past decade, Disney has undergone a magical transformation to promote diversity in every scope possible.
This includes at their head offices, at Disney parks, and in the movies and TV series that they create.
It’s a change that some believe was long overdue, including the celebrities who work for them .
These changes start from the top down, with Walt Disney Company releasing a diversity and inclusion committment.
Here, they stated that their focus and intent “encourages people from every nation, race/ethnicity, belief, gender, sexual identity, disability and culture to feel respected and valued for their unique contributions to our businesses.”
With these principles firmly in place, inclusion was soon shown in many aspects of the Disney brand.
For example, just last week, the Disney Parks went from being the most magical place on earth to one of the most inclusive places on earth with some new and necessary changes .
“The world is changing, and we will change with it, and continue to be a source of joy and inspiration for all the world,” Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said in a statement on April 13.
They’ve already taken steps forward, such as when they gave a much-needed facelift to the Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain rides for what some deemed offensive themes and origins.
Some of these new changes promote inclusivity for their Disney Parks staff members by allowing more flexibility in personal expression.
According to D’Amaro, staff and cast members can wear “gender-inclusive hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles, and costume choices; and allowing appropriate visible tattoos.” For perspective, facial hair was banned until 2012.
On a larger scale, Disney’s commitment to diversity has shown itself in their films from recent years.
2016’s Moana was a great example of that, as the film explored the origins of a different culture and highlighted a great social message.
2020’s Soul featured a prominently Black cast.
While these movies showed Disney’s dedication to boosting representation in their content, some were still wary.
But now, we have actual confirmation that Disney is truly serious about inclusivity.
This was confirmed by Disney Television chairwoman of entertainment Dana Walden during a recent April panel discussion hosted by Glamour and Chapman University.
She said that Disney recently turned down a potential television series that, while “well-written”, only featured minority representation in supporting characters.
“That’s not going to get on the air anymore because that’s not what our audience wants,” she said.
“That’s not a reflection of our audience, and I feel good about the direction we’re moving.”
This will be good news for those who have criticized the brand for their representation problems in the past.
John Boyega, who played Finn in the Star Wars films called out Disney for “marketing a Black character” and then “pushing them aside.”
This was in reference to his character being less visible in The Force Awakens .
He went on to say that white characters on the film were treated very differently.
“You guys knew what to do with Daisy Ridley, you knew what to do with Adam Driver,” Boyega said of the main leads.
“But when it came to [Vietnamese American] Kelly Marie Tran, when it came to John Boyega, you know [expletive] all.”
With an infinitive example of Disney turning down scripts that lack diversity, it appears that they have taken criticism seriously.
Just consider The Falcon and the Winter Soldier project, which featured Anthony Mackie, a Black actor, in a larger role in the MCU.
We’re excited and ready to celebrate the other diverse projects coming our way!
