The country has been in a whirlwind of civil unrest since the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Following in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic ravaging communities of color, activists have taken to both social media and the streets to protest inequality in America. Now, the Mouse itself is putting in its two cents.
This week, Walt Disney executive officers Bob Iger, Bob Chapek, and Latondra Newton sent letter to employees officially announcing their intention for the company to stand with both the oppressed and those who fight for the oppressed. The statement read “Feelings of grief and anger cause us to confront the inscrutable idea that the lives of some are deemed less valuable – and less worthy of dignity, care and protection – than the lives of others,” said the letter. “While these devastating incidents are not new, there’s something unique about what’s happening in this moment. The pandemic coupled with these recent injustices have pushed the issues of racial disparity into the open.”
Disney’s message goes on to say, “We intend to focus our efforts and resources to compassionately and constructively talk about these matters openly and honestly as we seek solutions. We intend to keep the conversation going, not just today, but for as long as it takes to bring about real change.”
This letter was released after 8 PM curfews were implemented in Los Angeles and other cities in America.
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