Edited by: TJVNews.com

Disney’s Chief Diversity Officer, Latondra Newton, is reportedly leaving the company after a six-year tenure that has been marked by controversies and the implementation of what critics describe as “woke” policies, as was reported by the New York Post. These policies, aimed at promoting inclusivity, have allegedly alienated many of Disney’s core customers. Newton’s departure comes at a time when the company’s reputation has suffered due to its involvement in polarizing topics such as transgender and sexual identity issues, as was reported by the Post.

During Newton’s tenure, Disney introduced several changes to promote inclusivity. One notable change was the removal of the traditional greeting, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” from the Magic Kingdom fireworks show at Disney World in Orlando. The decision was made to ensure that individuals who do not identify with traditional gender roles feel welcome and included, the report indicated. The intention was to create magical moments for all guests, regardless of their gender identity.

Similarly, dress-up boutiques inside Disney’s theme parks replaced the term “Fairy Godmothers in Training” with “Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices” to provide a more gender-neutral title. This change aimed to enable cast members who may not identify as female to participate in the process of dressing up and styling children without having to assume a female Disney character role, the Post report said.

Under Newton’s leadership, Disney made efforts to promote diversity in its entertainment offerings. The release of “The Little Mermaid” featuring Halle Bailey, an African-American actress, as Princess Ariel, was seen as a significant step toward showcasing “diversity and inclusivity” in Disney films. By including minority characters, such as gay, lesbian, transgender, and non-binary individuals, in its animated series and films, Disney aimed to reflect a global audience and create a welcoming and inclusive workplace for everyone.

Despite Disney’s intention to foster inclusivity, its decisions and policies have sparked controversy and criticism. Many have charged Disney with running an orchestrated campaign to promote the “woke, progressive” agenda and to expose children to embrace and identify with alternative lifestyles and gender identity. The company also faced backlash for denigrating the dwarfism community by eliminating the seven dwarves characters from its live-action remake of “Snow White,” the Post reported.

Additionally, a Florida teacher faced investigation for showing a Disney movie with an openly gay character, which prompted complaints from some parents.

A recent survey conducted by Axios and Harris Poll revealed that Disney’s reputation has suffered due to its involvement in polarizing topics. The Post also reported that the survey ranked Disney as the fifth most polarizing company, with a significant gap between the reputational scores among Democrats and Republicans. The company’s decision to oppose the alleged “Don’t Say Gay” legislation proposed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis further intensified the conflict, leading to legal disputes.

Latondra Newton’s departure as Disney’s Chief Diversity Officer marks the end of a six-year tenure that witnessed the implementation of “woke” policies aimed at promoting inclusivity and diversity within the company. While these efforts were intended to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, they also generated controversy and alienated a portion of Disney’s core customers. As Disney moves forward, it will face the challenge of striking a balance between inclusivity and maintaining a broad appeal to its diverse audience. The Post reported that the departure of Newton and the subsequent changes in leadership will likely shape the future direction of Disney’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.