A Colorado Senate candidate and film producer who pitched projects to the ‘Mouse House’ in the past is now warning the company’s adoption of “wokeness” will be their downfall. Deborah Flora, a Republican seeking to challenge Democrat Senator Michael Bennett in the 2022 midterm election, posted that “The Walt Disney Company may not survive the injection of “wokeness” flowing through…” Disney seems to be backing itself into a corner amid the recent political controversy. People from both sides are hitting Disney with criticism for a multitude of reasons. Could this be the beginning of the end for the ‘happiest place on earth?”
Disney Protests ‘Don’t say Gay’ Bill
Disney CEO Bob Chapek has faced many former Disney fans criticizing his choices as CEO and stances on recent controversies like Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. Until recently, the Disney theme Parks stayed as non-political as possible. Known as the “Don’t Say Gay Bill”, this piece of legislation is as simple as the title. As stated by NPR, “The legislation prohibits any instruction about sexuality or gender between kindergarten and third grade, or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” Bob Chapek finally addressed how The Walt Disney Company felt about the bill.
He said he and the rest of the company do not support it and Disney was “opposed to the bill from the outset”. Chapek also announced the company was pledging $5 million to the Human Rights Campaign in order to help further protect LGBTQ+ communities. In a wild turn of events, the Human Rights Campaign actually announced that it would be rejecting this sizable donation until “more meaningful action was taken” by the company. After playing both sides of the fence for years, have people on both sides decided they can no longer trust the happiest place on earth? The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill is not the only thing that has republicans and conservatives angry with Disney.
Disney Supporting Abusive Nations
Deborah Flora is not only a politician but a film producer who founded Lamplight Entertainment. Her husband, Jonathan Flora, is a former Walt Disney Studios producer. The Republican Senate candidate also said that she and her husband pitched a movie to Disney that was rejected for being “too Americana.” Disney went on to say the pitched film also “would not sell in China.” Flora is outraged with Disney for its dealings in China, especially during the government genocide of Uyhgur Muslims. She went on to call China “one of the largest human rights abusers on the entire planet.” Disney supports this nation while simultaneously vilifying parents’ rights. “It is absolutely hypocritical,” Flora said. “And it’s really disturbing because when Walt Disney is now synonymous with ‘wokeness,’ we know that this ideological agenda that is out of touch with the vast majority of American people has hit a point where we all need to stand up and take notice.”
Flora says parents in her community have told her and her non-profit organization, Parents United America, that they will “never go” to Disney’s theme parks again. Those same parents claim that when Disney removed “boys and girls” from their theme park greeting in the name of inclusion it made them heartsick. “It’s a sad day for America, but honestly, I believe it’s going to be the downfall of The Walt Disney Company because they have just ignored the very demographic that they are supposed to be appealing to,” Flora warned.
Disney Follows Hollywood Wokeness
Flora also warned that Disney is following the rest of Hollywood leftward and publicly displaying dangerous “woke thinking” that has forced conservatives into hiding over fears of being victims of cancel culture or forced out of the industry for not going along with the group think. “McCarthyism is alive and well in Hollywood, but it’s the exact opposite,” Flora said. “If you are someone who holds traditional values, if you are someone that believes that the history of America is a great history, if you are someone that is willing to stand up in a non-work non-PC manner, you are now on that hit list.”
Amid all the other controversy, The Walt Disney Company is also dealing with the backlash after a cheer team performed a racist and offensive chant on Main Street U.S.A. in Disney World recently. The Disney Parks are building a few brand new rides and attractions in an attempt to gain new customers and stay afloat. While Disney may never fall completely, this recent controversy has definitely seen a hit in the number of current Disney fans. Many people are canceling their Disney plus memberships and not buying season passes for the year. How are you reacting to Disney amid the recent controversy? Will you be supporting Disney in the future?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
