If it's one thing we've learned from riding "it's a small world," it's that it takes all manner of characters to make the world go round, and that diversity has never really been a problem with the Disney brand... That is, until recent events said that there was
With so much in the news inclusion programs like DEI and reactions from the public, it's easy to become overwhelmed at the shift in cultural views. However, if you're anything like us, Disney is always a comfort, and you know that there's room for everyone at the House of Mouse.
Diversity at Disney has always been a classic move
Although the studio has faced many critical setbacks in recent years, fans keep coming back for more of their favorite animated features and timeless tales. The beauty of Disney is that there is always something for everyone, from animated classics to a galaxy far, far away.
From this writer's perspective, Disney has always been pretty on the nose when it comes to presenting new voices and new stories from various backgrounds, talents, and artists. In lack of better terminology, Disney truly didn't have a diversity problem until mainstream culture made it so.
Look at some of the previous animated successes Disney has had. The last time the studio won Best Animated Feature was with Encanto in 2021, with Pixar's Soul a year prior. These were distinctly culturally unique stories that resonated with audiences brilliantly, and they were both told with diverse casts and creative teams.
Looking even further back, Disney also had major successes with films like Coco and Zootopia (which had its premiere in the tumultuous 2016). Again, these were diverse stories that thrived on a mix of cultures and elements that helped make them distinct. So what went wrong?
One of the biggest problems facing the company is that years of financial flops have lost the company some serious fan support and general good will, and hating modern Disney has simply become the cool thing to do. However, that's where Disney's nostalgia factor comes in to keep things alive.
Thanks to Disney+ and its wide variety of classic content, fans across generations can continue to enjoy and relive their favorite Disney movies and moments to their heart's content. Although the studio has a lot of growing to do before it finds its former glory, the dedicated fanbase lives on.
Disney is slowly healing, but it certainly won't be an overnight fix. The best thing the studio can do is simply give the audience what they want, but that doesn't mean the studio will stifle its creative voices to do it.
Do you think Disney has an inclusion problem?