BURBANK, Calif.—Children under seven years old can no longer watch some of the old Disney films on the Disney+ streaming platform. Their accounts have recently been blocked from accessing a list of films that are deemed culturally questionable.
The Disney Company’s first move to be culturally sensitive, started last October, when they created an initiative called “Stories Matter” to address racially offensive or stereotyped images and themes in their old stock movies.
Movies currently affected include “Dumbo” (which includes crows appearing as parodies of black-faced vaudeville performers), “Peter Pan” (which includes stereotypical portrayals of Indigenous people), “Swiss Family Robinson” (which shows ethnic stereotypes with pirates) and “The Aristocats” and “Lady and the Tramp” (for Asian stereotypes).
The “Stories Matter” webpage includes statements about inclusion and videos of cultural representatives discussing diversity.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are in the process of reviewing our library and adding advisories to content that includes negative depictions or mistreatment of people or cultures,” read one website statement. “Rather than removing this content, we see an opportunity to spark conversation and open dialogue on history that affects us all. We also want to acknowledge that some communities have been erased or forgotten altogether, and we're committed to giving voice to their stories as well.”
As of yet, “Pocahontas” has no limitations or tags.
