You have to hand it to the folks at The Walt Disney Company. When you think they can’t stoop any lower or push the company in any more of a political direction, here they go again.
Dr. Johnetta Cole is being presented by The Walt Disney Company and Disney Parks as a trailblazing woman of color worthy of praise during Women’s History Month. While she has already been esteemed by the company in the past via Pixar, the background on this lately is a bit more than troubling. According to The New York Times, Dr. Cole was at one point so connected with the Venceremos Brigades that her political futures in the United States were scrapped. A similar blurb from her Wikipedia page mentions the same with a reference to The Jewish Daily Forward which published the connections during the nineties:
However, when The Jewish Daily Forward reported that she had been a member of the national committee of the Venceremos Brigades, which the Federal Bureau of Investigation had tied to Cuban intelligence forces, Clinton did not advance her nomination.
What are the Venceremos Brigades though? Let’s just say you Cuban migrants to Florida aren’t going to like this.
The lady being heralded and paraded around Walt Disney World was apparently dropped by President Bill Clinton in the nineties because of her alleged association with Venceremos Brigade, which is itself a coalition in the US formed during the sixties devoted to demonstrating solidarity with the Cuban Revolution. In other words, it’s pro communism filth. Not only does it align itself with the Castro Regime and all the horrific suffering that comes with it, but it also goes so far as to work on sending Americans to Cuba for a propaganda tour.
Perhaps instead of having Dr. Cole come to Disney World, she would be better served welcoming Cuban refugees landing on makeshift raft and apologizing for how communism destroyed their entire existence.
Here’s Disney’s press release from their Disney Parks Blog:
We are thrilled to be in full swing for “Celebrate Her Story” in celebration of Women’s History Month now through the end of March while continuing to “Celebrate Soulfully” across Disney Parks through special entertainment, merchandise, food and beverage, and more during the month of February and all year long. Earlier this month, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, Cultural Advisor on Disney Pixar’s “Soul” and Author of “African Proverbs for All Ages” visited Walt Disney World to experience all of the celebrations firsthand.
Dr. Cole lent her talents and expertise from a decades-long career in anthropology to Pixar filmmakers and artists who created Disney and Pixar’s “Soul,” helping to craft characters and storylines that were authentic and inspired by real-life people, down to the smallest detail. For example, upon seeing Joe Gardner brought to life in Disney’s Hollywood Studios as part of the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” Dr. Cole shared that Joe’s very socks were inspired by the socks her father used to wear. Seeing Joe Gardner, a character Dr. Cole poured so much heart and soul into, honored as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration was a moving and emotional experience. “It does no harm to be grateful,” is a motto Dr. Cole lives by, and she remains filled
“Celebrate Her Story” is an especially important time of year for Dr. Cole who has been a trailblazer for women throughout her impressive career as an anthropologist, museum director, and president for Spelman College among many other noteworthy achievements. She is passionate about creating open spaces for women and forging new paths for diversity and inclusion.
During her time in the parks, Dr. Cole was also able to visit EPCOT during the International Festival of the Arts and came across various works of art inspired by “Soul” to add to her own collection, including “Joe in the Flow” by artist Larissa Marantz.
Dr. Cole also felt privileged to speak to Disney College Program participants and club members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida at the Walt Disney World Clubhouse throughout the month, imparting words of wisdom and encouragement to local students. “You must find a way to soar to the height of your possibilities,” Dr. Cole shared with the students. “You might get knocked down sometimes, but remember, ‘Down seven, up eight.’ Figure out a way to get back up and take that next step forward to go further than you were before.” Dr. Cole, along with artist Nikkolas Smith and author Fred Joseph, discussed the importance of diversity, inclusion, and the lessons from their respective work to children of all backgrounds and ages.
Disney Parks continues to “Celebrate Soulfully” year-round, and check out all the ways you can “Celebrate Her Story” through the month of March. You can also experience the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration now through March 31, 2023.
For all the news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts.
