File this under “hard to believe,” aka “bullshit.” Now, the Muppets are under attack. They’ve been branded “racists” by the powers-that-be at Disney.
Kermit the Frog, Animal, Miss Piggy- they’re no longer wholesome entertainment for young minds. Nope, now you can only view the Muppets from an adult account on Disney plus, and you must heed their warning – as this material is offensive, and not suitable for young minds.
The company’s statement makes one thing clear. Disney isn’t so convinced of their convictions, but they want to be sure to appease the cancel culture running rampant in today’s climate.
The BBC notes Disney’s statement:
“This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures,” it reads.
“These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.”
The disclaimer has been added to each of the episodes for different reasons, including one where Johnny Cash sings in front of the Confederate flag.
But here’s how you know Disney doesn’t really back what they’re saying. If Disney really found this content offensive, they’d yank it from their platform lickety split.
However, Disney’s disclaimer added: “Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together.”
Let me break this down for you.
This statement is meant to appease both sides of the argument. They’ve slapped the Muppets on the wrist for the leftists in a panic, while not actually removing the episodes for those of us with any common sense. Why? Because if they remove the Muppets, Disney’s got a lot of removing to do.
Other titles that already hold warnings include: Aladdin, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats and Dumbo.
To clear things up, I don’t think Disney is wrong to leave the content online. I just take issue with a corporation that has no clear moral compass other than the almighty dollar. If you ask me, this cancel culture is way out of hand.
Spiraling Idiocy
According to a recent article in Forbes, cancel culture seems here to stay. In fact, it gets more out of hand with every turn of the dial. And it isn’t limited to companies like Disney. In fact, Wackademia experiences more cancel culture than most any other segment of our society.
As Forbes writes:
At Skidmore College in New York State, a professor is being boycotted for merely attending a pro-police “Back the Blue” rally. He didn’t participate in any way, he didn’t speak or shout slogans, or carry a sign. He says he just wanted to hear what the demonstrators had to say. But an email circulated at the college saying, “Tonight, I and other Skidmore students witnessed Profs. David Peterson and Andrea Peterson at an anti-Black Lives Matter protest. We demand the immediate dismissal of both Skidmore staff members for engaging in hateful conduct that threatens Black Skidmore students.” (It turned out that Andrea Peterson doesn’t work at the college.)
The professor found a notice on his classroom door saying “STOP. By entering this class you are crossing a campus-wide picket line and breaking the boycott against Professor David Peterson. This is not a safe environment for marginalized students . . . By continuing to take this course you are enabling bigoted behavior on this campus.”
According to Professor Peterson, as a result of the boycott, he has no remaining students in one class and only a very small number of students in his other two classes. He also says the university is investigating him for possible bias.
Of course, there are tons more examples floating around.
As Forbes adds,
This extravagant expansion of cancel-worthy behavior is not limited to academia and it is not limited to anything a person has said or done anytime this century. A top executive at Boeing recently lost his job because of an article he wrote in 1987, opposing allowing women to serve as fighter pilots. The executive apologized for the article, writing: “My article was a 29-year-old Cold War navy pilot’s misguided contribution to a debate that was live at the time. The dialogue that followed its publication 33 years ago quickly opened my eyes, indelibly changed my mind, and shaped the principles of fairness, inclusion, respect and diversity that have guided my professional life since.” That was not enough to save his job.
What all this amounts to is a modern day form of mob rule. Take a few pissed off leftists, add a whopping scoop of social media, and viola! Societal bullying on steroids.
With cancel culture, there is no free speech. No debate. And certainly no reason to entertain opposite ideas or embrace different perspectives. These principles were integral to the creation of our democracy. Many times in history it has been the debate of beliefs that pushed us forward. But why bother, when cancel culture is here to shut down anything that triggers someone.
Ironically, Biden’s attitudes of the 70’s and 80’s have yet to put him on the chopping block. But that’s just another slice of the leftist hypocrisy.
Back to Disney
It’s important to note that context is crucial in evaluating shows such as The Muppets. When they were created, they embraced societal norms and sought to provide wholesome, educational entertainment.
And I think we can’t disclude the Muppets without considering their creator, the late Jim Henson. Arguably the world’s greatest puppet master, Henson sought to make this world a better place. He worked to teach children lessons like “dream big,” and “know how to embrace the hardships in life.”
Maybe I’m a little biased, because I was lucky enough to grow up with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, and I’m pretty sure I turned out to be a decent human being. But I don’t see Family Guy passing on the kind of wisdom the Muppets bestow upon their viewers.
So, it’s a good thing Disney wasn’t ready to lock them in the vault. Because cancel culture is wiping culture off the face of the earth.
