“Illegal and simply un-American:” Ron DeSantis-controlled Disney district abolishes diversity, equity initiatives

Walt Disney World’s governing district, now under the control of DeSantis’ appointees, abolished all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Official confirmation

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The statement read, “The district’s DEI committee will be dissolved, and any DEI job duties will be eliminated.” It added that employees of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District “will also no longer be permitted to use any staff time to pursue DEI initiatives.”

Legal battle

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The news comes in the middle of the legal battle since Disney is suing Florida in federal court for allegedly violating its right to free speech.

Calling DEI initiatives “simply un-American”

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Glenton Gilzean, the district’s new African-American administrator and a former head of the Central Florida Urban League, called the initiatives “illegal and simply un-American.”

Working together

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Gilzean said, and posted this quote on his LinkedIn page, “As the former head of the Central Florida Urban League, a civil rights organization, I can say definitively that our community thrives only when we work together despite our differences.”

People are not happy about this

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A Reddit commentator said, “Yep… totally not retaliation.” Another shared, “These fascist dips.its can’t actually abolish DEI initiatives inside the theme park, the best they can do is try to stifle other local public entities outside the park within the district.”

Going backwards 

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This person wrote, “Scary to see Florida roll the clock back as if we’re 1950.” Someone responded, “Earlier, they seem to want a new fuhrer…”

More anti-DeSantis comments

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Another person shared, “…and imposes slavery to give slaves beneficial skills.” This Reddit commentator wrote, “The only thing Ron remembers about Disney is the villains.” Someone thought of a solution, “We need to start talking to these people in their own language…. whenever they try to abolish some kind of diversity or equity initiative, we need to start screaming about “white genocide” and ‘replacement theory’ and ‘they’re making it harder for white people to do this or that by getting rid of equity! Now they can just hire ALL black people or ALL Mexicans! They don’t have to be diverse anymore!!!'”

Disney’s exit strategy

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One person said, “It’s sad because on, face value, the argument that Disney should contribute more to the city its workers live in and customers’ trash is actually pretty solid. It’s just that Desantos isn’t smart enough to distinguish actual governance from Fox topics de jour.” Someone warned, “IF Republicans will do this to Disneyworld, then image what they will do to the real world.” Many want to know what is Disney’s exit strategy. One believes it is, “Sue and stall for two years while investing in California, then buy off the Florida legislature to set things back to normal once DeSantis is gone.”

DeSantis’ so-called “Stop WOKE” law

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The Governor already prohibited companies, colleges, and K-12 schools from giving training on certain racial concepts. A federal judge blocked the so-called “Stop WOKE law,” calling it “positively dystopian.”

Part of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill

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The appointees by the Governor took control over what was formerly known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District following Disney’s public stance on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Megyn Kelly recently grilled DeSantis on Disney

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While on Kelly’s podcast, DeSantis talked about Disney, claiming, “They started going down the road of sexualizing children. We just could not be joined at the hip with a company that was doing that.”

A slip-up

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Kelly asked, “So you are suggesting you would’ve done this irrespective of them criticizing and fighting your parents in education act?” DeSantis doubled down, “Obviously, they’re supporting sexualizing kids in Florida schools. They were putting their corporate weight behind ensuring that that could happen. So, of course, that was a factor.” Kelly fired back, “That’s an admission that they were punished by you in part by the state for their political viewpoint.”

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