Disney Walks Back DEI Initiatives, Changes Disclaimers On Classic Films

Disney has made noticeable changes to their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, per an internal memo and multiple sources who confirmed it with Axios.

To start with, the company sent out an internal memo from their chief human resources officer Sonia Coleman detailing some of the upcoming changes. This includes how the company plans to replace their current “Diversity & Inclusion” performance factor that’s used to evaluate executive compensation, the outlet noted, with a new “Talent Strategy.” 

While the new performance measurement does keep some elements of the “Diversity & Inclusion” performance indicator, it more heavily focuses on how values contribute to success. 

Disney will also be ditching its Reimagine Tomorrow initiative which was used to “highlight stories and talent from underrepresented communities.” The site existed on the corporate website and was replaced in December.

It was also located on an internal hub which included training documents for employees with radical leftist messaging. Journalist Christopher Rufo published examples of the leaked training documents in 2021, which insisted America was founded on “systemic racism” and told employees to reject “equality” in favor of “equity,” and the “equality of outcomes.”

The documents included a section explaining how the U.S. has “a long history of systemic racism and transphobia,” and told employees, “If you are feeling confused, shocked, or have recently awakened to systemic racism, recognize that this is probably not new to your Black/African American colleagues.”

The memo also noted an upcoming name change and focus for employee resource groups. Now “Business” Employee Resource Groups (BERGs) will be known as “Belonging” Employee Resource Groups. Their goal will be “strengthening the employee community and workplace experience.”

On the customer-facing side, Disney fans can expect a change in messaging with older films such as “Dumbo” and “Peter Pan,” which were slapped with content warnings in recent times. For now, viewers are told that these classic movies “include negative depictions and/or mistreatment of peoples or cultures.” 

But per two internal sources, an updated advisory will make a more general warning that says, “This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.” 

The company is making these changes as several other major corporations navigate away from DEI following President Trump taking office. 

Disney is also trying to rehabilitate its image after leaked footage of a meeting detailing their “not-at-all-secret gay agenda” for children’s content made headlines, in addition to their public battle with Florida governor Ron DeSantis. 

After producing multiple lackluster films and series with progressive themes, the company seems to be returning to an image of political neutrality. This is in line with what returning company CEO Bob Iger said when he stepped back into the role. 

“Our primary mission needs to be to entertain, and then through our entertainment to continue to have a positive impact on the world. I’m very serious about that. It should not be agenda-driven, it should be entertainment-driven,” Iger said during the annual shareholders meeting in 2023.

Besides Disney, some other companies revamping or dismantling their DEI initiatives include Google, Meta, Amazon, Walmart, and Target, plus others. Other companies, like Costco and Apple, are doubling down and insisting that DEI makes them stronger.