Outrage. Grief. Anger. Sorrow.
With those words, the Walt Disney Co.’s top executives were determined to send a clear message after the killing of George Floyd and other unarmed Black men, which sparked massive nationwide protests last summer: Racial justice at Disney would be a top objective.
In a May 30 memo to employees, Disney Chief Executive Robert Chapek, Executive Chairman Bob Iger and Chief Diversity Officer Latondra Newton resolved to “use our compassion, our creative ideas and our collective sense of humanity to ensure we are fostering a culture that acknowledges our people’s feelings and their pain.”
Openness and dialogue would be prioritized: “We intend to focus our efforts and resources to compassionately and constructively talk about these matters openly and honestly as we seek solutions. We intend to keep the conversation going, not just today, but for as long as it takes to bring about real change.”