The Myth of 'Anti-Woke': Disney's Snow White Controversy, Women's Voices, and the Fear of Progress By JenLyn UNBN, The Liberty Ledger
jenlyn UNBN
"Oprah" of Entrepreneurship, Queen of Muchness: Avant Garde Brand Innovator, Human/Civil/Sustainable Rights Activist, DEIB Defender, BE MORE THAN A BRAND: BE A MOVEMENT/EIC ICONoclastic Pulse Magazine
A Moment Stolen
International Women’s Day should be a time of celebration—a moment to honor the women who break barriers and reshape our world. Instead, we witnessed Disney retracting its own red carpet, canceling press events for its upcoming Snow White adaptation out of fear of backlash.
The live-action Snow White, set to debut in 2025, has become yet another battleground in the war against progress, where "anti-woke" rhetoric is wielded not to preserve storytelling but to silence change.
Yet, we've seen this before—not just in modern remakes, but during the original Snow White's creation.
Snow White (1937): The Backlash Before the Backlash
When Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in 1937, it wasn't immediately hailed as a classic. It faced significant skepticism:
Despite these challenges, Snow White became a groundbreaking success, cementing Disney's place in cinematic history. Yet, nearly 90 years later, evolving Snow White still sparks controversy.
Anti-Woke: A Shield for the Status Quo
The grandson of Snow White's original director recently dismissed criticisms, claiming "wokeness" is a fabricated issue used to justify changing the film. However, it's essential to recognize:
The original Snow White—like most stories of its era—was crafted in a world where women's roles were limited, diverse voices were marginalized, and racial representation was virtually non-existent. The discomfort with updating these stories isn't about "honoring tradition"—it's about preserving narratives that have historically excluded many.
Rachel Zegler, cast as Snow White, described the original film as "weird" by today's standards, noting that the 1937 portrayal lacked depth and agency for the titular character.
Disney’s Evolution: Progress and Hesitation
Disney, despite its imperfections, has always evolved—from pioneering animation techniques to embracing CGI. The backlash against Snow White's updates isn't about technology—it's about cultural evolution.
However, the controversy over the depiction of the seven dwarfs reveals that progress is often uneven. In an effort to avoid stereotypes, Disney initially planned to reimagine the dwarfs, prompting discussions about representation. Actor Peter Dinklage criticized the portrayal, leading Disney to consult with members of the dwarfism community to avoid reinforcing stereotypes.
The Bigger Picture: Colonization, Systemic Racism, and Media Power
This controversy isn't just about Snow White. It's about which stories are told, who tells them, and who is allowed to evolve.
The original Snow White, like many Disney classics, was steeped in Eurocentric storytelling. Fairy tales have long reinforced colonial ideals: purity, obedience, and a rigid moral hierarchy. Challenging these narratives threatens those who cling to the comfort of outdated stories because acknowledging their flaws means reckoning with the systems that upheld them.
Moreover, the political dynamics between the film's leads have added layers to the controversy. Rachel Zegler's advocacy for Palestinian rights and Gal Gadot's support for Israeli causes have sparked debates, reflecting the complexities of modern political discourse.
The True Myth at Play
At its core, this controversy isn't about Snow White. It's about the fear of progress. The "anti-woke" movement claims to "protect" culture but often seeks to preserve exclusionary power structures. Those resisting change aren't defending artistic integrity; they're attempting to halt the inevitable tide of evolution.
And change is coming, with or without their permission.
Call to Action: Watch the Trailer, Support the Story
The teaser for Snow White garnered over 1 million dislikes against 82,000 likes on YouTube within its first three weeks—mirroring the backlash The Little Mermaid faced. Yet, The Little Mermaid went on to achieve a $117.5 million Memorial Day opening at the box office.
Disney isn't perfect. But two women who did exactly what leaders do—used their platforms, stood firm in their beliefs, and collaborated—are now facing undue criticism.
To those decrying "wokeness" as a cultural downfall, I ask: What exactly are you afraid of? The only loss here is a world where power remains in the hands of a few while the rest are expected to stay silent.
I encourage you—watch the trailer. Give it some love. Support the story. Because progress is worth it.
Watch the official teaser trailer for Disney's live-action Snow White below:
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I am a multi-preneur! Holistic Personal Image Consultant-Meditation Teacher & Guide-Cyber Security Analyst-Writer-Oracle Card Reader-I've been told I can't be all these things I gotta concentrate on 1 thing- Nope
5 天前Love your stuff jenlyn!