Disney’s Chief Diversity Officer Exits Role

[CaptainAmerica]

As one who missed out on opportunities based on gender, I know how exactly how it feels. Some look at current programs as a correction for past injustices that have caused lasting societal problems; others take it much harder when they're on the receiving end of the injustice. I understand and am not going to argue about this because it goes nowhere.

The way to stop discrimination is to stop discriminating.

I believe the Chief said something to that effect.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Variety reports Disney's Chief Diversity Officer, Latondra Newton, has exited her role after 6 years.

Here's the memo from Disney's HR Chief Sonia Coleman.

To our extended DEI and HR team,

I’m writing to share the news that Latondra Newton has decided to leave The Walt Disney Company to pursue other endeavors.

Since joining the company in 2017, Latondra has led the company’s strategic diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, including partnering with stakeholders across the enterprise to amplify stories of the world by people around the world. She has been dedicated to ensuring every person sees themselves and their life experiences represented in a meaningful and authentic way.

I know you all join me in thanking Latondra for her many contributions, including the lasting impact she has had on our employees and our culture. Working alongside all of you and so many others, she has inspired countless cast members and employees to bring about lasting change and to help create a world where we can all feel safe and we all belong.

Latondra’s direct reports will report to Julie Merges on an interim basis until a new DEI leader is identified. I want to thank Julie for leading this team along with her Talent Acquisition organization. Additionally, Shelby Curry and the DEI Internal Communications team will continue reporting to Carrie Brown in her role leading internal communications & engagement for the company.

Thank you all for your continued contributions to our DEI efforts. I know we can count on you to keep this important work moving forward during this leadership transitions.

Gratefully,

Sonia

Disney’s Chief Diversity Officer Latondra Newton Exits (EXCLUSIVE)

Disney's chief diversity officer Latondra Newton is exiting her role after six years, according to an internal memo obtained by Variety.

variety.com

I gotta imagine the was told to leave and did not leave on her own?

I can't imagine why she would leave on her own?

All the DEI, ESG initiatives seem to be being put in place, she can't have any argument with what the company was doing in that area.

Could this simply be a cost cutting measure, and the company allowed her to say she was leaving?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Things change. Whether or not the the changes are good are based on one's perspective, but Disney is never going to go back to how it was.

Agree. 101%. It’s their approach that is defeating…not the intent.
the “why?” Is fine. It’s the “how?”

As one who missed out on opportunities based on gender, I know how exactly how it feels. Some look at current programs as a correction for past injustices that have caused lasting societal problems; others take it much harder when they're on the receiving end of the injustice. I understand and am not going to argue about this because it goes nowhere.

Well you’re the perfect one to ask:
Nothing of your experience is “right”. It was wrong and always will be. Discrimination is NEVER ok and never was.
The question is…if a company tries to “compensate”, do they bring perhaps a defeating reactionary movement/response and in effect don’t make the corrections they should on the timeline?
Doesn’t make it right…but sun tzu still applies. Things do take time…no matter how frustrating it is.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The way to stop discrimination is to stop discriminating.

I believe the Chief said something to that effect.

The chief?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The question is…if a company tries to “compensate”, do they bring perhaps a defeating reactionary movie and in effect don’t make the corrections they should on the timeline?

This issue, of course, is that the "compensation" doesn't go to the "victim."

@Chi84, having been discriminated against for being a woman in the past, is not made whole when some entirely unrelated man is discriminated against in the present.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This issue, of course, is that the "compensation" doesn't go to the "victim."

@Chi84, having been discriminated against for being a woman in the past, is not made whole when some entirely unrelated man is discriminated against in the present.

Yes. It sounds awful and I don’t love saying it…but you can’t mine the past for current grievances. It never works…the response counteracts the progress.

Everyone should do the right thing from now on. Don’t wait. Nothing stopping us. But you can’t fix what pappy did. Hard bill to pay.

A discussion of history always helps and no one will read book and discuss the truth anymore.

Perfect example: don’t take out song of the south and “shield” the children from it…build the Princess ride NEXT to it and make it a edutainment display of progress and understanding.

Not nearly as hard as the analysts make it out to be.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Things change. Whether or not the the changes are good are based on one's perspective, but Disney is never going to go back to how it was.

Right, and this is why the celebration and “good news!” posts are a little comical, as if things are going to revert back to how they were before… They’re not lol. Someone else will likely be hired and more similar changes will come.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

The way to stop discrimination is to stop discriminating.

I believe the Chief said something to that effect.

Didn't the Chief get removed from main Street due to cultural reasons ?

 

[Chi84]

Yes. It sounds awful and I don’t love saying it…but you can’t mine the past for current grievances. It never works…the response counteracts the progress.

Everyone should do the right thing from now on. Don’t wait. Nothing stopping us. But you can’t fix what pappy did. Hard bill to pay.

A discussion of history always helps and no one will read book and discuss the truth anymore.

Perfect example: didn’t take out song of the south and “shield” the children from it…build the Princess ride NEXT to it and make it a edutainment display of progress and understanding.

Not nearly as hard as the analysts make it out to be.

I disagree about it not being hard. I don't think there was anything racist about Splash, but if I did see it that way, suggesting that a separate but equally good ride be built next to it smacks of 1960's rhetoric.

Just like any initiative, there are good and bad DEI programs. From my experience, most discrimination does not occur as the result of outright prejudice or hatred. It's more likely to occur because of a lack of understanding or comfort level with people who are dissimilar. The best DEI programs will work to alleviate those issues. Unfortunately, some of those programs were hastily developed and currently run by unqualified people. Maybe the person who is leaving was one of those; I don't know enough to conclude one way or the other.

I worry about the current trend of shielding our children from anything and everything that may make them upset or uncomfortable. Life is going to do that to them and it's our job as parents to prepare them to deal with life. Certainly it should be done in an age-appropriate manner; the extreme examples sometimes raised here are not the norm in education and we shouldn't react as though they are.

I also worry about our inability to talk to one another sensibly and reasonably. There are too many people shouting down conversation instead of engaging in it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I disagree about it not being hard. I don't think there was anything racist about Splash, but if I did see it that way, suggesting that a separate but equally good ride be built next to it smacks of 1960's rhetoric.

Just like any initiative, there are good and bad DEI programs. From my experience, most discrimination does not occur as the result of outright prejudice or hatred. It's more likely to occur because of a lack of understanding or comfort level with people who are dissimilar. The best DEI programs will work to alleviate those issues. Unfortunately, some of those programs were hastily developed and currently run by unqualified people. Maybe the person who is leaving was one of those; I don't know enough to conclude one way or the other.

I worry about the current trend of shielding our children from anything and everything that may make them upset or uncomfortable. Life is going to do that to them and it's our job as parents to prepare them to deal with life. Certainly it should be done in an age-appropriate manner; the extreme examples sometimes raised here are not the norm in education and we shouldn't react as though they are.

I also worry about our inability to talk to one another sensibly and reasonably. There are too many people shouting down conversation instead of engaging in it.

Here I do and always will agree. When it’s opinion…not math, science, etc. that’s not a “personal truth” type thing.

As far as south goes. I get it. I never found it to be degrading/racist but it’s not for me to decide.

What I meant was not good/ride bad ride…I meant make it a themed area. Have a statue of James Baskett - who is an important historical figure for receiving an Oscar in 1948. Do plaques/displays talking about Disneys place in the promotion of equality in film over the years…I can think of really good examples.

Their record isn’t perfect…but nothing in life is. Find “strength” through difference…which is what DEI is really about.

Anyway…back on topic.

 

[CaptainMickey]

I worry about the current trend of shielding our children from anything and everything that may make them upset or uncomfortable. Life is going to do that to them and it's our job as parents to prepare them to deal with life. Certainly it should be done in an age-appropriate manner; the extreme examples sometimes raised here are not the norm in education and we shouldn't react as though they are.

I have a daughter and I understand how kids are bombarded constantly from all sides. ONE of very few places we could get away from the "Real World Problems" was Disney. The Parks and Movies were a great escape. Latondra made sure Disney and its products are now deep in the Social/Political debate. People might be mad she helped destroy one of the last escapes for kids and adults. There is a time and place for everything.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Right, and this is why the celebration and “good news!” posts are a little comical, as if things are going to revert back to how they were before… They’re not lol. Someone else will likely be hired and more similar changes will come.

I'd like to know how closely you work to any kind of executive boardroom. How many corporate SVP, EVP, or C-level types to you interact with routinely?

The Bud Light fiasco has companies absolutely terrified.

We can speculate all day long why Strange World, Lightyear, Elemental, and The Little Mermaid flopped. There are lots of theories, many of which have absolutely nothing to do with corporate diversity agendas. But Bud Light happened, and there's nothing else to blame it on. They didn't redo their recipe. They didn't cut back on marketing spending. They weren't stung by COVID. They're not the victims of changes in consumer behaviors. Their sales are cratering for one reason and one reason only.

 

[mickEblu]

I'd like to know how closely you work to any kind of executive boardroom. How many corporate SVP, EVP, or C-level types to you interact with routinely?

The Bud Light fiasco has companies absolutely terrified.

We can speculate all day long why Strange World, Lightyear, Elemental, and The Little Mermaid flopped. There are lots of theories, many of which have absolutely nothing to do with corporate diversity agendas. But Bud Light happened, and there's nothing else to blame it on. They didn't redo their recipe. They didn't cut back on marketing spending. They weren't stung by COVID. They're not the victims of changes in consumer behaviors. Their sales are cratering for one reason and one reason only.

I’m really curious to see how it all plays it out. It’s all happening in real time with news like Disneys Chief Diversity office “stepping down.” If I was a betting man I’d say whoever replaces her won’t be so gung-ho and will think twice before certain changes. I’m betting that things like mustached fairies get reeled back in a bit.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I'd like to know how closely you work to any kind of executive boardroom. How many corporate SVP, EVP, or C-level types to you interact with routinely?

The Bud Light fiasco has companies absolutely terrified.

We can speculate all day long why Strange World, Lightyear, Elemental, and The Little Mermaid flopped. There are lots of theories, many of which have absolutely nothing to do with corporate diversity agendas. But Bud Light happened, and there's nothing else to blame it on. They didn't redo their recipe. They didn't cut back on marketing spending. They weren't stung by COVID. They're not the victims of changes in consumer behaviors. Their sales are cratering for one reason and one reason only.

I’d like to know what any of this has to do with what I said?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I’d like to know what any of this has to do with what I said?

I disagree with your claim that companies plan to continue on the trajectory they've been on.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I disagree with your claim that companies plan to continue on the trajectory they've been on.

They absolutely will.

There’s a reason companies started pivoting…because the objections will fall
Silent and already have to a great extent.

It’s just the executives steering these initiatives have struggled in the proper course.

If they fail…they’re fired. For instance: this one.

 

[Newtwo]

Her grift has ended at Disney, onto a new company to grift money out of.

 

[Chi84]

I disagree with your claim that companies plan to continue on the trajectory they've been on.

They will. A few have clearly gone too far and will be reined in. But things won’t go back to the way they were - they never do and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[John park hopper]

Maybe I am in the minority -- I have vacationed at WDW many times, I go to escape reality for a week or two--no phone, no news, no worries about job etc. WDW used to be that place for me total fantasy but something has changed with Disney management they have taken the escape reality(my magic) and replaced---my reason for not going any more.

I disagree with your claim that companies plan to continue on the trajectory they've been on.

AB still loosing market shares, Target still taking a hit, Chick- fil -A --privately owned so sales unknown but from the looks of the lines at lunch sales must be down

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

AB still loosing market shares, Target still taking a hit, Chick- fil -A --privately owned so sales unknown but from the looks of the lines at lunch sales must be down

Yet Nike are recovering.

If US companies 'go woke', do they really go broke?

Experts believe 'boycott fever' will grip the US ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

www.bbc.co.uk