Editor’s Note: Whether on screen or off, Hollywood can always be counted on to keep us entertained. This is especially true when it comes to politics. Liberty Nation's HollyWeird column shines the spotlight on Tinseltown’s A-listers and their wild and wacky takes on today’s current events.
Disney just can’t seem to get it right. In it’s quest to go woke, the Happiest-now-Loneliest Place on Earth continues to get major backlash as it attempts to make the two-percenters of the world happier. From trying to take on Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis – and failing miserably – to embracing the LGBT agenda, the company has watched its revenues plummet. Now, the family fun industry is replacing the popular ride Splash Mountain because of its alleged ties to slavery. But some say the new attraction is just as bad. And if that isn’t enough, Disney just got put on notice for saying Jesus was just a man.
Disney Changes One Slavery Ride for Another?
In Florida, Splash Mountain was opened in 1992 and was based on the 1946 film Song of the South, which was set in post-Civil War Georgia. Three years ago, there was a battle to get the famous ride changed to something less racist. In a Change.org petition, more than 21,000 signatures were obtained where the signers demanded the ride be reinvented and based on The Princess and the Frog. “While the ride is considered a beloved classic it’s history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes from the 1946 film Song of the South,” the petition stated.
“To Save Splash Mountain” was a counter-petition that had 99,000 signatures – 78,000 more than the one from Change.org. In it, the signers stated, “Splash Mountain has never included depictions of slaves or any racist elements and is based solely on historical African folktales that families of all ethnicities have been enjoying for nearly a century. It is absurd to pander to a small group of ‘Disney haters’ that don’t understand the story, and re-theme such a nostalgic ride.” Still, the few determined what was best for the many, and the iconic ride is being replaced by one that is supposed to be more inclusive.
That depends on who you talk to, however. The new, improved version will become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and it was inspired by the first black Disney princess. Critics claim the concepts of the log attraction will have “a more direct form than the idealized benevolence of ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah’ and reference to Br’er Rabbit stories, which are themselves American creations distinct from African folklore,” according to one news outlet. Avery Island, where the salt dome is located, has a strong history of slavery, opponents claim, and New Orleans, the main location of the set, “was the largest slave market in the United States.”
(Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic)
The ride is set to open in 2024 in Florida, and California’s theme park will soon be making renovations as well. For those who will miss Splash Mountain, eBay has a ton of sellers claiming to have mason jars and even Ziploc baggies filled with water from the ride.
Jesus – Just a Man?
Disney has other troubles aside from allegedly racist rides, though. The company changed its annual Candlelight Procedural script so that Jesus is referred to as “simply a man” and “human.” Christians across the nation are outraged, but the Lutheran Church seems to be leading the charge and has called on parents to boycott the park because the “hearts and minds of our children” are at stake. In its desire to be more inclusive, the entertainment giant inserted “human” in front of Jesus’ body parts such as “human hands” and “human feet,” which ignited fury among some Christians.
“Much like Disneyland’s and Disney World’s recent decision to change their respective Splash Mountain rides into something based on a less problematic movie, the parks’ decision to use the word ‘human’ to describe Jesus is no doubt a change designed to appeal to the majority of park-goers rather than cater solely to a smaller group,” reported Giant Freakin Robot. Ironically, it seems that is the exact opposite if we compare the number of signatures for and against changing Splash Mountain: The few determined the outcome of the many.
Tune in next time to see what else Tinseltown has planned.
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