News Disney plans to include a black Santa Claus at Walt Disney World this year as the company continues its diversity and inclusion program

[Gringrinngghost]

I would like to send my commiserations to the entire moderation team.

 

[Kamikaze]

Thats it! This is the final straw! I'm never going to Disney again! Already canceled D+!

I won't stand for this! Everyone knows, that like the great baby Jesus, Santa is WHITE!

/s

 

[Weather_Lady]

I think we need an Indian Santa. If not I will be offended.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the whataboutism has arrived!

 

[monothingie]

Why can't people just enjoy having Santa around. If people are upset about the continuity or other aspects of this, then go find one of the many other Santas that I'm sure are on property waiting to greet guests.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Honestly, I feel like this is a good move. Didn't the company Barbie do the same years ago?

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Except colorblind casting for Frozen creates actual narrative discontinuity. Anna and Elsa not being the same race implies that one or both of them is adopted and that they're not biological sisters. Genetics is still a thing, and it matters in family-based stories.

You could do a Frozen where the whole family is Black. Or where the parents are mixed-race and the children are plausibly descended from the two of them. But two ostensibly biological siblings being different races is confusing, especially to young audiences.

Gonna disagree.
Them being adopted doesn't impact the story either. They are still sisters - one has powers.... etc.

 

[ToTBellHop]

What’s next? Mickey Mouse played by a woman?!?!

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Inclusive would be rotating Santa’s across a variety of races randomly each night. Not simply adding a Black version and deepening exclusion of other races.

You're right. Lets rotate Santas of different races.

 

[JohnD]

So I went on a trip to Israel several years ago and entered a Roman Catholic church in Nazareth. Suffice it to say, it's all about Mary and artwork of her from around the world was displayed throughout the church. What a shocker: she looked like the culture from which the art came.

 

[jrhwdw]

Again, Very, very sorry if I offened anyone!

 

[G00fyDad]

I thought they had Santa's of different races around World Showcase during Christmas time anyway.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Except colorblind casting for Frozen creates actual narrative discontinuity. Anna and Elsa not being the same race implies that one or both of them is adopted and that they're not biological sisters. Genetics is still a thing, and it matters in family-based stories.

You could do a Frozen where the whole family is Black. Or where the parents are mixed-race and the children are plausibly descended from the two of them. But two ostensibly biological siblings being different races is confusing, especially to young audiences.

The story involves, among other things, a talking snowman, mysterious rock trolls, and a young woman who can magically turn things to ice. But sure, draw the line at the sisters being of opposite races.

 

[correcaminos]

This isn't a supposed to be a black man dressed as Santa. He's supposed to BE Santa. Santa is a fictional character who happens to be white. This would be like having Mickey Rat instead of Mickey Mouse.

This isn't "inclusion" it is pandering. Would we celebrate a white actor dressed up as the Black Panther? I don't think so and I'd be just as against that.

Santa is only white because of your experiences and where you live. The original St. Nick did not look white.

 

[monothingie]

I don’t think there will be an announcement.

Now I know you're being modest about the scope and number of people who follow this site and your social media....

 

[Disney Glimpses]

You're right. Lets rotate Santas of different races.

I can sense the sarcasm in your response. I’m not suggesting they do this but if they are trying to be inclusive, that would be the way to do it.

 

[sullyinMT]

You're right. Lets rotate Santas of different races.

In an ideal world. But, instead of that casting headache, maybe Disney can get the rights from Comcast for this guy, replace Santa, and give parks rights to the Simpsons in return:

Then, if you're caught not buying G+ &/or ILL, judgement is nigh!

 

[WDWFanRay]

This isn't a supposed to be a black man dressed as Santa. He's supposed to BE Santa. Santa is a fictional character who happens to be white. This would be like having Mickey Rat instead of Mickey Mouse.

This isn't "inclusion" it is pandering. Would we celebrate a white actor dressed up as the Black Panther? I don't think so and I'd be just as against that.

Exactly. It was just as ridiculous when Hollywood producers chose John Wayne to play Genghis Khan. There is making sure that you’re being inclusive and then there’s taking that concept too far. This decision falls under the latter.

 

[wdwmagic]

Inclusive would be rotating Santa’s across a variety of races randomly each night. Not simply adding a Black version and deepening exclusion of other races.

I don’t think anyone has ruled that out.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

They could easily find an olive skinned person to play the roll who could pass as white, black, Mediterranean, hispanic, etc… that gets into colorism though and opens a whole new can of worms.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The story involves, among other things, a talking snowman, mysterious rock trolls, and a young woman who can magically turn things to ice. But sure, draw the line at the sisters being of opposite races.

"Siblings with different powers because one of them is secretly adopted" is literally the plot of Thor. It's a centuries-old narrative trope.