Disney’s New Approach: Moving Away from DEI and Revisiting Classic Films
Disney is shifting gears when it comes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, especially regarding its classic movie lineup on Disney+.
The company is reversing its stance on some of its previous DEI policies and is reinstating older films without additional disclaimers on potentially controversial content.
Disney’s Memo to Employees: A Shift in Policy
In a memo sent to Disney employees on February 12, 2025, Chief Human Resources Officer Sonia Coleman outlined some of the company’s latest policy changes.
The most significant adjustment is the removal of previous warnings that had been placed on older Disney films.
These alerts were aimed at addressing potentially problematic content, such as racial stereotypes or outdated cultural depictions.
Previously, films like Peter Pan and Dumbo featured disclaimers that warned viewers about “negative depictions and/or mistreatment of peoples or cultures.
” Going forward, these films will feature a new message that states, “This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.”
Revisiting Classic Films: Peter Pan and Dumbo
Take Peter Pan, for example, which had a disclaimer related to the portrayal of a Native American tribe referred to as “redskins.
” Similarly, Dumbo, the 1941 animated film about a flying elephant, faced criticism for a scene depicting African American workers in a plantation setting, which many felt perpetuated harmful stereotypes.
The new policy will apply not only to these two films but also to several other classics, including The Aristocats (1970), Lady and the Tramp (1955), and Swiss Family Robinson (1960).
These films had been flagged for various reasons, like the offensive portrayal of Asian stereotypes in The Aristocats and problematic depictions of African American culture in The Jungle Book (1967).
New Talent Strategy and the End of “Reimagine Tomorrow”
Disney is also overhauling its internal strategies.
The company will be replacing its previous diversity-focused approach to executive compensation with a new “talent strategy.
” This new strategy will still retain some elements of the original DEI focus, but with an emphasis on how company values contribute to success.
Additionally, Disney will discontinue its “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative, which was designed to amplify voices from underrepresented communities.
Alongside these changes, the company is also renaming its “Business Employee Resource Groups” to “Belonging Employee Resource Groups,” signaling a shift in priorities toward fostering a sense of inclusion in a more general sense.
CEO Bob Iger’s Stance on Entertainment and Messaging
CEO Bob Iger, who has previously spoken out about the company’s political stance, has been vocal about Disney’s shift toward a focus on entertainment over political messaging.
In a 2023 interview, Iger discussed films like Black Panther and Coco, acknowledging that while he values positive messaging, the primary goal should be entertainment, not agenda-driven content.
He reiterated this sentiment during Disney’s shareholder meeting when he emphasized that the company’s job is to entertain, not to advance any political agenda.
A Larger Corporate Shift in America
Disney’s move to re-evaluate its DEI approach comes amidst a larger trend in corporate America.
Recently, Google announced that it would no longer pursue DEI hiring targets, and other companies are also scaling back on similar initiatives.
The shift is partly influenced by political pressures, including those coming from former President Trump’s administration, which has taken steps to remove DEI programs from federal operations.
For example, the Trump administration has ordered federal agencies to eliminate DEI programs and to remove any materials that promote gender ideology.
These changes reflect a broader cultural shift across the business and government sectors, with companies like Google and Disney aligning their policies to reflect changing societal expectations.
What’s Next for Disney and the Industry?
As Disney redefines its policies around DEI and begins to revert some of its past changes, it remains to be seen how the rest of the entertainment industry will respond.
With increasing scrutiny on corporate America’s role in social issues, companies are recalibrating their focus on core values and mission statements.
Whether this marks the beginning of a larger trend or a more isolated shift for Disney remains uncertain, but it’s clear that the entertainment giant is adapting to a rapidly evolving cultural and political landscape.
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