The Muppets now come with a disclaimer from Disney. The Muppets!

1. 81

   Readmikenowposted 4 years ago

   There was a time you could just watch the Muppets and laugh.  Not anymore.  Now you will see the following disclaimer
   
   "As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are in the process of reviewing our library and adding advisories to content that includes negative depictions or mistreatment of people or cultures," reads a statement on the Stories Matter site. "Rather than removing this content, we see an opportunity to spark conversation and open dialogue on history that affects us all. We also want to acknowledge that some communities have been erased or forgotten altogether and we're committed to giving voice to their stories as well."
   
   https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/the-m … uxbndlbing
   
   This is the Muppets.  Have many of us simply been watching offensive and insensitive materials during our youth and several decades?
   
   This is a prime example of how the weak-minded and emotionally needy are being accommodated.  The strong minded unable to be offended because of maturity and depth of character are becoming a rare find.

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      GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      As crazy as it sounds, it seems like there are two sides to this story; the first that comes to mind is the ridiculousness of the Muppets being offensive and needing a warning disclaimer, and the second is that when the prompts for the disclaimer are listed; Johnny Cash in front of the Confederate flag, a Chinaman muppet with buckteeth and a braid, Arab muppets drilling for oil, and a gypsy muppet with satiny clothes and shiny bling—all are obvious stereotypes.
      
      So, I have to temper my indignation, which says;"Geesh, they're caricatures, get real!" and other such old-white-man exclamations, and realize that in today's times when everyone is looking for a reason to be offended, some folks will find legitimate reasons in these mentioned examples.
      
      Oh lordy lordy, Sesame Street is probably next.
      
      GA

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         IslandBitesposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you.
         
         Also, I dont think is about offended people. It is to stop forming the minds of children with the same prejudices than past generations.
         
         I like this: "Rather than removing this content, we see an opportunity to spark conversation and open dialogue on history that affects us all."
         
         It is good that people are talking about it. Even if it is because old white people whining about it.

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      2. 81

         Readmikenowposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         "Johnny Cash in front of the Confederate flag, a Chinaman muppet with buckteeth and a braid, Arab muppets drilling for oil, and a gypsy muppet with satiny clothes and shiny bling—all are obvious stereotypes."
         
         So?
         
         Come on Wilderness, have you sided so much with the left that you've let them blind you to comedy?
         
         Have you jumped on the "I shouldn't have to be offended by anything" band wagon?
         
         Poking fun at stereotypes is a way to not let them have power over you.  Who did great stereotypes of black people....Richard Pryor.  Man made millions on it.  White people, oriental people, and even Hispanic people poke fun at their race.  So, to be offended by it is to let it have power over you.
         
         I'd hoped we were bigger than whining about comedy and saying "That...that...offends me."  Especially children's comedy.

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            Ken Burgessposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Today it is considered racist, derogatory, unsensitive, insulting, etc.
            
            This is the environment that dominates our culture today, rail against it if you want to, but it doesn't change the fact that all such "humor" is no longer acceptable.

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               Readmikenowposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               Sad to see how much power the weak-minded and emotionally needy have in our society.
               
               Yeah, "All In The Family," would do well today.
               
               Those of this generation may file lawsuits because of being traumatized by the content of a Television show.  It has happened.

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            PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Do you think when Johnny Cash stood in front of a Confederate flag he was poking fun at stereotypes?
            
            I have my doubts about that.
            
            That said, I do understand your point but I think you are discounting how much stereotyping can harm penple, especially children.

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            GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            I think the point you closed with is the point that makes the difference. It is children's comedy—young, impressionable 3 to 7-year-old minds.
            
            Of course, adults will recognize the examples as stereotype caricatures and laugh at the comedy. A young child won't have the life experience to do the same thing.
            
            If the topic was adult content, I would be right there with you Mike. It would be silly snowflake over-reach. But it isn't, it is young minds that will form concepts based on what they see. They may understand the muppets are just puppets, but they will need an adult to explain that all Chinamen don't have buckteeth and braids.
            
            And no, I haven't let the Left's snowflakery blind me to comedy. I still think Bill Cosby's dentist office routine is one of the funniest ever. However, I haven't let the Right's machismo blind me to reality either.
            
            GA

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               Readmikenowposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               Still a fan of "All in the Family?"  As far as I'm concerned his skit with Sammy Davis Jr. is a classic.
               
               The Muppets have been providing entertainment for decades before these weak-minded and emotionally needy snow-flake types started to be offended by everything.  Whatever happened to "Say what you want because I can take it?" Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.?

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                  GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes, I still laugh at All in the Family. Maybe even a bit more so now when I think of all of today's taboos that the show addresses.
                  
                  I think you are still missing the point. This isn't about adult comedy or adults being offended. However, as I think about it you may be right about the show's effects on weak-minded and emotionally needy, but they are the minds of children, not wimpy adults.
                  
                  Why do you think parents teach their kids that "sticks and stones" mantra? I say it is because their young minds don't understand the concept. Their minds are sponges and to them everything is literal.
                  
                  I think you can probably see the point of my replies, (because you keep circling back to "adults" and "adult comedy"), but just want to latch onto something that—on the surface—seems like more silly Liberal whining.
                  
                  It's the Muppets Mike, not All in the Family.
                  
                  GA

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   Ken Burgessposted 4 years ago

   It's the type of talk and focus you would expect for a Nation in decline, and readying itself to be lorded over by others...like the U.N., China, etc.
   
   America is in decline, and the focus has turned from dominating and influencing the globe, to something more akin to accommodating others and admitting their way (and historical acts in the past) is wrong.

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3. 94

   ziyenaposted 4 years ago

   As a child growing up in a military family that interacted with and respected every race, creed, and color ... I find these times troubling.  Let's face it.  There's racism in this world.  There always will be. Our world is not a united utopia full of peace, light, and love.  Although I'd like it to be this way.   Unfortunately, racism stirs in EVERY culture.  We can not measure racism as a whole on any particular community.  Racism stands within an individual.  As a caucasion woman who has many friends of different ethnicities, I am absolutely disgusted and tired of the unfair claims about caucasion people.  We are not all racist, rich, educated, or preferred.  This witch hunt must stop.  Sooner or later, those falsely accused or treated as if they should deny their own identity will have had enough.  But when is enough ... enough?
   
   As a writer who loves to share stories about personalities of diversity, I feel this is an opportunity for a decent and mature discussion. 
   I hope it remains this way.

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      Ken Burgessposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      You have to understand the reasoning behind this "conditioning".
      
      "White people" and America in particular has dominated the globe for the last 80+ years.
      
      This is not going to be the case going forward, it is Asia, and China most specifically that will be dominating the world stage in the coming decades.
      
      In addition, it is not "white" that will dominate America in the decades ahead, it will be those designated as 'Hispanic" and likely, we will become a dual-language nation that in order to excel a person will be required to speak both Spanish and English.
      
      What is going to be interesting is what happens to all this Social Justice focus when it is a society dominated not by "white" but by "brown"  but that will be well after our economic downturn and Asia's rise to prominence on the global stage.

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      Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you...

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4. 82

   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   Disney will be alerting their audiences about anything in the Muppet shows (aimed at children) which involve the following issues:
   1. Negative things about people.
   2. Mistreatment of people.
   3. Negative things about cultures.
   4. Mistreatment of cultures.
   
   Disney also plans to reveal content involving communities of the past:
   1. Cultures which have been erased. 
   2. Cultures which have been forgotten.

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5. 82

   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   - as for the future of Disney content:
   They'll have to become very careful.
   
   The question is, is it for the better?
   
   Is it better to make the path so narrow?
   
   Maybe?
   
   Yes? No?
   
   Wondering.

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6. 82

   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   "Stories shape how we see ourselves and everyone around us.
   
   So as storytellers, we have the
   
   power and responsibility to not only uplift and inspire,
   
   but also consciously, purposefully and relentlessly
   
   champion the spectrum of
   
   voices and perspectives in our world."
   
   https://storiesmatter.thewaltdisneycompany.com
   
   I don't know, but isn't this a bit much?

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7. 82

   Kathryn L Hillposted 4 years ago

   "To that end, we've brought together a
   
   group of experts from outside our company
   
   to advise us as we assess our content and
   
   ensure it accurately represents our global audiences."
   
   https://storiesmatter.thewaltdisneycompany.com
   
   
   Rather restrictive? Or is it about time ... as in long over-due?
   
   
   Good Luck to Disney!

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