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Credit: Disney+Disney has made a strategic pivot in its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, announcing changes that will significantly alter the company’s focus on inclusivity and employee engagement. The changes, which were revealed in an internal email from Disney’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Sonia Coleman, mark a clear departure from the company’s earlier initiatives.
Disney’s decision to scale back its DEI efforts comes on the heels of growing political and social pressures, as well as ongoing feedback from both its workforce and the broader public.
This announcement signals a shift from Disney’s once-robust DEI-focused messaging to a more streamlined approach, one that emphasizes business outcomes alongside diversity values.
In response to these updates, Disney has already begun redirecting its DEI messaging, including the removal of its “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative and the launch of new inclusion platforms that will better align with the company’s business strategies.
Disney’s New Direction: “Talent Strategy” and Changes to Employee Resource Groups
The first major change comes in the form of a revised compensation evaluation for Disney’s executives. The company has decided to replace the “Diversity & Inclusion” performance factor, which had previously been used to determine executive bonuses, with a new “Talent Strategy” evaluation.
While still incorporating elements of DEI, the new factor now focuses on how talent and inclusive values intersect with overall business success. This marks a noticeable shift toward treating diversity and inclusion as a component of business strategy rather than a standalone goal.
Disney also announced a rebranding of its Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which had been known as “Business” ERGs. The new name, “Belonging” ERGs, reflects the company’s intention to focus on creating a deeper sense of community and inclusivity among its employees.
The shift towards “belonging” comes after a year-long review process and is designed to ensure that ERGs better align with Disney’s corporate values. The change emphasizes creating an environment where employees feel seen and heard, ultimately enhancing workplace satisfaction and engagement.
The End of “Reimagine Tomorrow” and the Introduction of a New Inclusion Hub
In a significant development, Disney confirmed that it is retiring its “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative, which was originally launched to promote content and talent from underrepresented communities. This program had garnered attention for its efforts to feature diverse voices and foster greater inclusivity in Disney’s storytelling.
According to sources at Disney, the company is shifting its DEI focus away from large-scale initiatives like “Reimagine Tomorrow” in favor of more integrated approaches that blend inclusivity into everyday business functions. This change is reflected in the redesign of Disney’s external and internal websites, with a new inclusion hub that replaces the old Reimagine Tomorrow site.
This move is seen as part of a broader trend within Disney, one that’s balancing the need for inclusivity with the challenges of aligning its corporate messaging with shifting societal expectations.
Updates to Disney+ Movie Disclaimers: A Step Back?
In a move that has sparked mixed reactions, Disney has decided to modify how it addresses controversial content in its classic movie library. Previously, films like Dumbo, Peter Pan, and The Jungle Book carried an auto-play disclaimer that warned viewers about outdated cultural depictions and stereotypes.
The message noted that “these stereotypes were wrong then, and they are wrong now,” followed by a call to acknowledge the harmful impact of these portrayals.
However, Disney has now opted to remove the auto-play disclaimer and replace it with a written statement in the movie’s description. While some critics view this as a step forward in reducing viewer friction, others are concerned that the removal of the auto-play warning might diminish Disney’s commitment to acknowledging past wrongs and educating viewers about the cultural issues in its films.
The movies that received such warnings included:
- Lady and the Tramp (1955) – The portrayal of two Siamese cats using anti-Asian stereotypes and the racist depiction of various dog breeds, such as Pedro the Mexican Chihuahua and Boris the Russian Borzoi.
- The Aristocats (1970) – A Siamese cat named Shun Gon, depicted as a racist caricature of an Asian person, who plays the piano with chopsticks.
- Dumbo (1941) – The group of crows, including one named Jim Crow (a reference to segregation laws), were voiced by a white actor and depicted with exaggerated Black voices.
- The Jungle Book (1968) – The character King Louie, an ape shown in a lazy, unflattering light, was critiqued for being a racist caricature of African Americans.
- Peter Pan (1953) – The film referred to Native Americans as “redskins” and included a song that was later renamed after criticism for being offensive.
- Song of the South (1946) – The controversial film has been largely erased from Disney’s streaming platforms due to its perpetuation of racist stereotypes and the glorification of plantation life.
This shift also marks a notable change in how Disney approaches its legacy films, especially given the public scrutiny surrounding the company’s handling of race and cultural depictions in its classic catalog.
A Changing Cultural Landscape for Disney
The shift away from “Reimagine Tomorrow” and the decision to downplay certain DEI-related messaging signals a change in Disney’s broader cultural landscape. This change comes at a time when companies across various industries are reassessing how they approach diversity, particularly in light of polarized political climates.
CEO Bob Iger’s leadership during a challenging time is particularly telling. Known for his progressive stance in previous years, Iger now appears to be navigating a delicate balancing act, acknowledging that some initiatives may have alienated certain segments of the audience.
In a 2022 town hall, Iger spoke about the need to listen to audiences, especially when it came to the backlash against “woke” content, while stressing that Disney would not abandon its core values.
The scaling back of Disney’s DEI initiatives may have been partly influenced by concerns about political backlash, particularly in conservative circles. With growing tensions surrounding DEI in the political sphere, Disney seems to be recalibrating its strategies to ensure that it maintains its brand while also avoiding alienation from certain viewer demographics.
What Does the Future Hold for Disney’s DEI Initiatives?
The implications of Disney’s decision to scale back DEI programs are far-reaching. For employees, the new focus on “Belonging” in ERGs and the talent evaluation system could foster a renewed sense of community and collaboration within the company.
However, the broader public perception of Disney’s commitment to inclusivity may shift, especially among those who were invested in the company’s progressive steps over the past few years.
As Disney continues to navigate the complex intersection of business interests and social responsibility, the full impact of these DEI changes will become clearer. For now, the company is signaling that while it remains committed to diversity and inclusion, it is also mindful of how those efforts intersect with its bottom line and the broader social discourse.
Ultimately, this shift is more than just a change in strategy. It represents the changing tides in corporate America, where companies are facing increasing pressure to find a balance between social responsibility, political sensitivities, and business growth.
The coming months will provide more insight into how Disney adapts to this new era of inclusivity, as well as how it plans to engage its audience and employees in a more balanced and thoughtful way.