Update: A Walt Disney Co. spokesperson sent a statement to Breitbart News after our initial story ran on Saturday. The statement was identical to the one sent to Christopher Rufo. It reads as follows:
“These internal documents are being deliberately distorted as reflective of company policy, when in fact their purpose was to allow diversity of thought and discussion on the incredibly complex and challenging issues of race and discrimination that we as a society and companies nationwide are facing. The Disney brand has a long history of inclusivity, with stories that reflect acceptance and tolerance and celebrate people’s differences, as we have consistently demonstrated in such popular films as Moana, Coco, Black Panther, Soul and Raya and the Last Dragon, and as a global entertainment company we are committed to continuing to tell stories that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience.”
The Walt Disney Co. is pushing back after leaked documents revealed the company is promoting critical race theory to its employees, including the ideas that the U.S. has a long history of “systemic racism” and that employees should strive for “equity,” which it defines as the “equality of outcome.”
“In a statement issued Saturday,” Disney didn’t dispute the authenticity of the documents but said the literature is “being deliberately distorted” to make it seem like it is reflective of company policy. Disney said the purpose of the documents was to “allow diversity of thought and discussion” on “issues of race and discrimination.”
Disney also said it has a “long history of inclusivity” and cited the movies Soul, Moana, Coco, Black Panther, and Raya and the Last Dragon — all of which were released in the last five years.
On Saturday, Christopher Rufo published the leaked documents in an article for City Journal. He revealed he spoke to multiple Disney employees who claim the program has become “deeply politicized and engulfed parts of the company in racial conflict.”
Rufo is a leading opponent of critical race theory and is spearheading legal efforts to block the divisive ideology from being taught in public schools.
Rufo denied Disney’s claim that his reporting has distorted the documents, saying that he directly quoted the material.
He also disputed Disney’ claim that it is encouraing “diversity of thought” since the literature is telling employees to “not question” certain points of view.
In his article, Rufo said obtained an internal video in which Disney executive chairman Bob Iger pledged that the company “should be taking a stand” on political controversies and no longer “shy away from politics” in the future.
Disney spokeswoman Zenia Mucha hasn’t replied to a request for comment from Breitbart News.
Follow David Ng on Twitter @HeyItsDavidNg. Have a tip? Contact me at dng@breitbart.com
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