Disney shifts focus amid Trump's diversity crackdown
Disney joins a few of the largest companies in the USA responding to the actions of the Trump administration aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Reuters reports.
In January, just after assuming his role as president, Donald Trump signed an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes. According to AFP, a communication on X stated that that the administration is taking steps to close/terminate all DEI initiatives, offices, and programmes.
Reuters, quoting civil rights advocates, stated that such programmes are necessary to address longstanding inequalities and structural racism. Nevertheless, Trump and his supporters argue that DEI programmes lead to unfair discrimination against other Americans and undermine the importance of merit in hiring or promotion.
Disney makes changes. This is the effect of Trump's actions
Following the actions initiated by the new president of the USA, Disney is now also trying to prevent intervention from the Trump administration by withdrawing from some initiatives.
This includes the "Reimagine Tomorrow" programme, which is to be renamed "MyDisneyToday." As Reuters reminds us, its goal was "to amplify the voice of underrepresented groups" and included some commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Due to Trump's actions, Disney will no longer consider diversity in employee pay issues and will replace it with the so-called "Talent Strategy," focusing on business outcomes.
The history of diversity programmes dates back to 1965, when then-President Lyndon Johnson signed an order on equal employment opportunities, ensuring that private companies receiving government contracts would not discriminate against job candidates based on race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
Source: Reuters, Nexta, PAP
