Disney updates content warning for racism in classics

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Disney has updated a content advisory warning for racism with a strengthened message in its classic films, which was in place since last November.

Users now receive an advisory about stereotypes when they play films such as Dumbo, Peter Pan, Aristocats, and Swiss Family Robinson on the Disney+ streaming service.

"This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures," the advisory reads. "These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now."

"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," it adds.

The Aristocats received the warning as the cat in the show is depicted as a "racist caricature of East Asian peoples with exaggerated stereotypical traits," while the Peter Pan has it for portraying native people in a "stereotypical manner" and referring them by "redskins".

Dumbo also carries a warning due to the show which "ridiculed enslaved Africans."

Disney's previous and shorter disclaimer was saying: "This program is presented as originally created. It may contain outdated cultural depictions."