Former Disney Exec Gives Blistering Criticism of DEI & ESG in Hollywood

Monica Harris, a former Disney executive, has spoken out against Hollywood’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, arguing that they negatively impact creativity and consumer appeal. In a recent interview with Clifton Duncan, Harris contends that the focus on DEI stifles true artistic expression and leads to predictable, uninspired content that may not resonate with a broad audience.

Harris says “the reason we see no course correction is the same reason we see Target market items — and I think we know which items I’m talking about — that clearly don’t appeal to consumers. I think when you have like trans-Cheerios and stuff like that you’re making a statement that has nothing to do with your audience [and] its tastes. What we’ve seen in the corporate world — and I am going somewhere with this — what we’ve seen in the corporate world is this fastidious and slavish adherence to ESG (environmental social governance) principles, which are really just DEI in practice, in products, and in hiring in the corporate world.”

Harris points out that as companies prioritize niche ideologies, many consumers are becoming aware and rejecting products that do not reflect their values. This has resulted in boycotts and significant financial fallout for corporations. She also highlights how major investment firms like BlackRock and Vanguard influence corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, raising questions about corporate accountability and the integrity of creative industries.

The former executive argues that the current climate of DEI initiatives risks alienating a broad audience that may not resonate with imposed narratives, leading to a loss of consumer trust. As consumer sentiment shifts, there is a growing backlash against corporate wokeness among mainstream consumers, suggesting a potential return to more conservative norms.

Harris also addresses the issue of revising historical narratives for political correctness, questioning the balance between representation and factual storytelling in media. She argues that the current approach to DEI initiatives is detrimental to the creative process and limits the diversity of thought.

“When those three companies and their subsidiaries dominate Boards of Directors and dominate the ownership of stock,” she said “then they literally are in the position to tell these companies to adhere to whatever guidelines they’d like. So if DEI is an initiative that these majority shareholders would like companies to pursue, that’s what they’ll pursue. Because if not then they’ll face the wrath of the people who can yank the money, yank the loans, yank the funding because it’s all about money. At the end of they day you’re in- if you’re a CEO, you’re like, ‘Do I piss off my consumer base and maybe hope I can massage them or do I piss off the people who are actually funding me?’ And they’re between a rock and a hard place.”

The conversation, which I recommend you listen to in its entirety, highlights a shift in consumer sentiment, suggesting that excessive pushback against traditional values may lead to a cultural backlash and a return to more conservative norms. Companies must understand their core audience to avoid financial losses and create content that resonates with a wider audience, rather than catering to niche ideologies.

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