So as #woke individuals, I am going to assume we all understand the problems with representation, sexism, racism etc. that Disney has. Yes they’ve made efforts and strides towards being more inclusive, but even those efforts are fraught with problems. It’s fantastic that there’s a black ‘princess’, and maybe I shouldn’t read too much into it when the little madam takes the wash cloth from the kitchen sink and says ‘Look mommy, I’m cleaning like Tiana.’ Nope, nothing to worry about there. Not at all Disney.
But none of the stereotypes and idiocy that occasionally comes out of the Disney machine can match this latest #DisneyFail. Absolutely nothing.
The movie Moana is due to come out soon (or has come out, I can’t keep up). Anyway, the Disney merchandising unit is in full swing and some brilliant marketer thought it would be a great idea to develop a brown skin Maui costume for kids.
Any quasi woke, reasonably astute person developing this product would think…ok, let’s create the costume using the traditional dress and maybe a few accessories (cultural appropriation? Yes, but nothing new for Disney).
But no, this is Disney and what’s point of doing something if it’s not going to cause major offence, so wait…light-bulb moment…let’s take it all the way and…wait for it… replicate Polynesian brown skin and literally let kids ‘wear another cultures skin’. (thanks @Karnythia for that on point quote)
Good job Disney. Nope, not offensive at all. Thankfully, someone helped them see the light and they pulled it from the shelves prior to Halloween. But, I can’t watch the trailer for the movie now without thinking of the costume and it’s taken all the joy out of seeing people of colour on the Disney screen again.
