Christopher Rufo, City Journal contributing editor, stands behind his reporting on Disney’s “reimagine tomorrow” program. He argues that the company he reported on ‘vindicated’ his reporting.
An anonymous group of employees from The Walt Disney Company (TDWC), have written a letter warning the company to not take any political stances that could alienate certain workers and claim that Disney has become an “increasingly uncomfortable place to work” for those who disagree with “explicitly pro-growth” policies.
Employees praised Disney, pointing out that “our work contributes a fountain of wonder which inspires joy, amazement, and delight in guests, audiences, and all ages.” However, they cautioned that “over time, one group of castmembers has become invisible within company.”
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“The Walt Disney Company has become an increasingly uncomfortable place for employees whose religious and political views are not explicitly progressive,” said the employee. Submitted. “We watch in silence as our beliefs are attacked by our employer. We also see our leaders frequently condemn those who disagree with us as villains.”
Employees remarked on Disney’s “Reimagine tomorrow” Campaign to promote “underrepresented voices” and noted that “the tomorrow being reimagined doesn’t seem to have much room for religious or political conservatives within the company. Left-leaning cast members have the freedom to promote their agendas and organize on company time, using company resources. They call their fellow employees ‘bigots’ and pressure TWDC to use corporate influence to further their left-wing legislative goals.”
Bob Chapek of Disney speaks at the Opening Ceremony of Invictus Games Orlando 2016 ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida on May 8, 2016.(Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images to Invictus/Getty Images)
Employees shared their experiences with an internal poll that “asked us if we felt comfortable in our company.”
“Many of us didn’t complete it because the nature of the questions made us worry that the results of the poll could be used to target us for quietly holding a position that runs against the progressive orthodoxy that Disney seems to promote,” the employees wrote. “TWDC has created an environment where employees fear being exposed and will be fired if they don’t follow the rules.”
The open letter, which was published Monday, was released amid protests in the context of which pro-LGBTQ workers demanded that Disney take a stronger stance against Florida H.B. 1557, a bill to protect parental rights in education that Democrats have branded a “Don’t Say Gay” bill (despite not having the bill). It is not necessary to banThe word “gay” is used.
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Although the company initially did not take a position on the bill, CEO Bob Chapek spoke out against it at a shareholders meeting after its passage. He announced that Florida would not allow political donations and pledged that Disney would make millions more for LGBTQ causes. Chapek also promised to meet Ron DeSantis, Florida Governor, to express his and Disney’s opposition to the legislation.
Disney employees staged an occupation Tuesday to protest Chapek’s delay in condemning this bill. They RequirementsThe company should indefinitely cease all campaign contributions to Florida politicians who voted in favor of the bill, stop all investment in Florida until it is repealed, and make “substantial donations” to human rights organizations. It should also expand its LGBTQ content.
General view of Rededication Moment at Magic Kingdom and “Disney Enchantment” debut during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom” on September 30, 2021 in Orlando.(Gerardo Mora/Getty Images/Getty Images
The employees referred to the wider pressure campaign in their letter.
“The company’s evolving response to the so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislation in Florida has left many of us wondering what place we have in a company actively promoting a political agenda so far removed from our own,” they wrote.
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“Over the past few weeks, we have seen as our leadership has expressed condemnation for laws or policies we support,” said the employees. “We have seen our colleagues, convinced that there is no way for them to disagree, become more aggressive in their demands. They demand that TWDC adopt a strong position on this issue and other legislation. They also openly advocate for the punishing of employees who disagree with them.
They said that employees who want TWDC’s left-wing political statements are encouraged. However, those of us who wish for the company to remain neutral can only whisper it out of fear of professional reprisal.” “The company we love seems to think we don’t exist or don’t belong here. This politicization in our corporate culture is causing many of us to feel that our days with TWDC may be over.
Employees warned that this “politicization” could make our more conservative customers feel “same unwelcome.”
Bob Chapek was the Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company at the opening ceremony of Avengers Campus within Disney California Adventure in Anaheim (CA) on Wednesday, June 2, 2020.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images/Getty Images
The workers stressed that they don’t intend to attack Disney. They wrote, “Working for The Walt Disney Company has been a dream come real.” “The unique brand Disney of family entertainment is an objective good in this darkening world. It brings people together, and provides cultural touchpoints that even the most bitter enemies can share.
Employees praised Chapek for his original response to the Florida law. Chapek wrote, “As we’ve seen time and again corporate statements do not change outcomes or minds.” “Instead, they are often used by one side or another to further divide and inflame.”
“Disney is far greater and more impactful to this world by avoiding politics than by adopting a policy agenda,” employees wrote. “Disney shouldn’t be a vehicle for one demographic’s political activism.” They argued that the world needs things they can all agree on and urged Disney’s leadership not “to let Disney become just another thing that divides.”
“Disney is taking sides on political issues in unexplicably radical ways,” Scott ShepardFOX Business was informed by Jeremy, the director of National Center for Public Policy Research’s Free Enterprise Project. “Polls show that even the majority of Florida Democrats support this anti-groomer bill that would stop public school teachers from discussing sex. They are paid with all taxpayers money. This would be a no-brainer for 5- to 9-year olds who want to talk about dinosaurs and Frozen. And who should be talking about subtraction and silent Es at school in these years.
Shepard said, “Coming out in this manner as hard-left supporters makes Disney a hostile environment for sensible, middle-of the road employees to go to work.”
“When you add to Disney’s continuing sponsorship of antiwhite, antimale employee programming, Disney has made it, in contravention a raft anti-discrimation law, the target of significant, terribly expensive litigation, which it will lose,” he stated. “As shareholders, our reaction is to be horrified and to see that the current executive leadership must be replaced with a slate that recognizes that there is no place for discrimination in the Mouse House.
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The Free Enterprise Project Previous slammedDisney’s “Reimagine Tomorrow,” employee trainings on “antiracism” claimed that the United States has a long history of systemic racism, transphobia, and that White employees must “work with feelings of guilt, shame and defensiveness to understand their true self and what needs to heal.” Disney claimed that the training materials were not in context.
FOX Business asked for comment from Walt Disney Company, but they did not respond.
This report was contributed by Adam Sabes and Breck Dumas from FOX Business.