Civil Rights Complaint Filed Against Giant US Media Compnay
The Walt Disney Company, known for its beloved childhood fantasies, has recently come under fire with a federal civil rights complaint. The complaint, filed by America First Legal on Wednesday, alleges that Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies are unlawful and discriminate against white American men, Christians, and Jews.
According to the complaint, Disney has implemented de facto quotas in its hiring practices, which is a violation of employment law. These quotas are disguised as “diversity and inclusion policies”, but in some cases, Disney has publicly listed actual percentages for hiring for their productions. For instance, the company has set a goal of having 50 percent of its TV series directors come from “underrepresented groups.”
This has sparked a debate regarding the legality and morality of implementing quotas in employment. America First Legal argues that it is against federal civil rights laws to consider racial, ethnic, and sex-based characteristics in hiring, training, compensation, and promotion. The organization also cites decades of case law that has held policies such as these as prohibited.
Among the evidence presented by the complaint is a leaked internal Disney document that was published by Elon Musk on the social media platform X. The document, titled “Inclusion Standards”, outlines Disney’s intention to increase training and development opportunities for members of underrepresented groups. According to the complaint, this document further supports their argument that Disney is knowingly and intentionally violating federal civil rights laws.
Despite these allegations, Disney has not yet responded to the complaint. It is worth noting that the company has publicly stated its commitment to diversity and inclusion, with CEO Bob Chapek recently saying, “We believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to the long-term success and sustainability of our business.”
Disney’s diversity and inclusion efforts have been publicly advertised on their official websites. The complaint cites several statements and goals from Disney’s websites, including a commitment to having a diverse workforce that reflects the audiences and communities they serve. They have also pledged to offer training and development opportunities for diverse individuals.
This is not the first time Disney’s DEI policies have faced scrutiny. In 2020, several employees filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that white males were being discriminated against in the company’s employee resource groups and other DEI initiatives. However, it is the first time a federal civil rights complaint has been filed against the company regarding these policies.
In response to the complaint, America First Legal president and former Trump administration official Stephen Miller stated, “It is sad and tragic that a company whose name was once synonymous with wholesome and charming childhood fantasies is now dedicated to spreading divisive bigotry.” He urged Disney to cease and desist their unlawful conduct at once.
The complaint seeks for Disney to end their alleged discriminatory practices and abide by federal civil rights laws. It remains to be seen how Disney will respond to the complaint and if any changes will be made to their DEI policies. As the conversation around diversity and inclusion in the workplace continues, the outcome of this complaint could have implications for companies across industries.