Latondra Newton, the Chief Diversity Officer of Disney, is said to be leaving the company, marking the conclusion of her six-year tenure that has been accompanied by controversies surrounding the implementation of “woke” policies, which have led to the alienation of a significant portion of Disney’s core customer base.
One notable incident occurred last year at Disney World in Orlando, Florida when the traditional greeting, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” was removed from the Magic Kingdom fireworks show in an effort to promote inclusivity. This decision attracted widespread attention and criticism. In response, Newton defended the change, stating, “We want to create that magical moment with our cast members, with our guests. And we don’t want to just assume because someone might be in, our interpretation, may be presenting as female that they may not want to be ‘princess.’”
The departure of Newton comes amidst ongoing debates and divisions concerning the company’s approach to diversity and inclusion, which have impacted Disney’s relationship with its loyal customer base.