In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign against what he considers “woke” ideas has hit significant obstacles. His efforts to reshape how Floridians view and teach issues involving race and gender identity have faced strong resistance from the courts.
DeSantis has tried to depict Disney as a company pushing an LGBTQ+ agenda and sexualizing children in its movies. This strategy rallied some far-right Republicans against the company. However, many right-leaning voters have children who love Disney movies like “Frozen,” “Cars,” and “Encanto,” while they themselves enjoy franchises such as “Star Wars” and Marvel.
Recently, a court settlement weakened DeSantis’ Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. A federal court blocked another key measure introduced by DeSantis in 2021, initially known as the Stop WOKE Act, which marked the beginning of his efforts to reshape educational and workplace training on race and gender identity.
The Stop WOKE Act banned instruction in schools or mandatory training in workplaces suggesting that a person is privileged or oppressed because of their race, sex, or national origin. This act, later renamed the Individual Freedom Act, politically benefited DeSantis by mobilizing conservatives in Florida and securing his re-election in 2022. However, legally, it faced challenges.
A federal judge described the law as “positively dystopian” for restricting people’s speech. Last year, an appeals court ruled that it couldn’t apply to colleges and universities. Recently, the same court ruled it couldn’t be enforced against businesses either. “The court resoundingly rejected the STOP WOKE Act as applied to employers and said it was in plain violation of the First Amendment,” stated Shalini Goel Agarwal, an attorney representing the businesses that filed the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Disney has taken a firm stance on inclusivity, much to DeSantis’ dismay. The Country Bear Jamboree at Walt Disney World reopened on Wednesday, July 17, after a seven-month hiatus. However, the character Liver Lips McGrowl was quietly retired as part of Disney Parks’ ongoing inclusivity efforts. Known for the song “My Woman Ain’t Pretty (But She Don’t Swear None),” Liver Lips was removed due to its name being deemed “insensitive and outdated,” with derogatory connotations against Black and Jewish communities.
Liver Lips McGrowl has been replaced by Romeo McGrowl, a new animatronic bear with a blonde coif, who joins returning characters in the revamped Country Bear Musical Jamboree. This change is part of a broader trend within Disney Parks to address and rectify outdated or offensive elements within its attractions.
Disney has made similar changes to other attractions like Splash Mountain and the Jungle Cruise, removing portrayals considered stereotypical and offensive. These updates reflect Disney’s efforts to embrace modern sensibilities while preserving the charm of its classic attractions, a move that can be seen as a jab at DeSantis’ anti-woke crusade.
Governor DeSantis’ culture war against “woke” ideas highlights the tension between political agendas and business practices. While he sought to challenge diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, many Republicans believe that business owners should have the freedom to run their businesses as they see fit.
This ongoing feud demonstrates the complex landscape of modern politics and its impact on businesses and cultural institutions like Disney, which continues to “go woke” despite DeSantis’ efforts.
