Bill Fighting Disney’s ‘Woke’ Cast Member Training Makes Progress

It is officially called the “Stop Wrongs Against Our Kids and Employees Act,” or unofficially by its supporters, the “Stop WOKE Act.” It was recently passed in the Senate by a vote of 25-15, and if it gets passed into law, it could cause problems for The Walt Disney Company in terms of its training programs for Walt Disney World Resort Cast Members.

Here’s what we know:

While the Bill does not explicitly state such intention, it is arguably intended to protect prospective employees from being forced into critical race theory and other “progressive” teachings that have been argued to stress uncorrectable systemic racism in our society and result in endorsed, justifiable discrimination, particularly against white employees.

The Bill itself–which you can read for yourself by clicking here–proposes:

“Subjecting any individual, as a condition of employment, membership, certification, licensing, credentialing, or passing an examination, to training, instruction, or any other required activity that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such individual to believe any of the following concepts constitutes discrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin.”

Eight discriminating concepts are listed, and they include the following:

• “Members of one race, color, sex, or national origin are morally superior to members of another race, color, sex, or national origin.” 
• “An individual, by virtue of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.”
• “An individual, by virtue of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin, bears responsibility for, or should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, sex, or national origin.”

But one stands out as what many see as a direct counter to the new training measures Disney looks to implement, stating it is considered discrimination to uphold the concept that “an individual, by virtue of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin, should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment to achieve diversity, equity, or inclusion.”

Related: Disney Launches New Social Responsibility Website

It should be noted that the Bill also clarifies that it does not intend to “prohibit discussion of the concepts listed therin as part of a course of training or instruction, provided such training or instruction is given in an objective manner without endorsement of the concepts.”

The news of this Bill’s legislative progress comes just days after an attempt to stop Disney’s race-based training by the shareholders, as one contingent called for a “Workplace Non-Discrimination Audit,” hoping to at least coerce the media conglomerate to admit their “woke” practices such as diversity training, anti-racism training that have targeted Disney’s white employees. Whether by active participation or proxy, the proposal was voted down by a large majority.

It is unclear at this time how the bill if passed, will specifically affect Disney’s social responsibility initiative Reimagine Tomorrow. While it will affect Disney employee training in the state of Florida, it will unlikely affect the training of Disney Park Cast Members elsewhere in the United States.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the following when he made his support of the Bill:

“In Florida we are taking a stand against the state-sanctioned racism that is critical race theory. We won’t allow Florida tax dollars to be spent teaching kids to hate our country or to hate each other. We also have a responsibility to ensure that parents have the means to vindicate their rights when it comes to enforcing state standards. Finally, we must protect Florida workers against the hostile work environment that is created when large corporations force their employees to endure CRT-inspired ‘training’ and indoctrination.”

Florida’s Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez also supported the Bill, saying,

“As the daughter of Cuban exiles who fled from Marxist ideology, I am proud to stand alongside Governor DeSantis and support this proposed legislation that will put an end to wokeness that is permeating our schools and workforce. This important legislation gives students and employees the resources they need to fight back against discrimination, critical race theory and indoctrination. I’m proud to stand alongside the Governor not only of the free state of Florida but the woke-free state of Florida.”

Related: Disney Jr. Show Criticized for ‘Woke’ Song About ‘Micro-aggressions’

This news comes as the Sunshine State looks to pass the “Parental Rights in Education Bill”–legislation intended to keep all discussion of sexuality and gender identity out of kindergarten through third grade–amid an outcry of dissenters (including Disney employees) saying it is harmful to kids who may fall into the LGBTQ+ community.

After intense public pressure across social media, Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out against what is being called the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” in a manner unsatisfactory to his employees. There is no statement yet from Disney in response to this other Bill fighting workplace discrimination.

Related: Cast Members to “Walkout,” Protest FL Education Bill – What Guests Should Expect

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Disney news as more information comes to light.