New York, New York, March 7, 2017 (Newswire.com) - The Walt Disney World Co. is coming under intense criticism by the Clergy for Minority Youth Matters Movement regarding Disney’s recent controversial partnership collaboration with NASCAR, through their Pixar Animation division, for the much anticipated animated film “Cars 3”, returning to the big screen this coming June 16th.
The controversy surrounding the partnership between the Walt Disney World Co. and NASCAR stems from NASCAR showcasing its insensitivity towards diversity, in particular when NASCAR CEO Brian France and current Monster Energy Cup Series driver Chase Elliott, who will be a featured character in the film, last March publicly endorsed then Presidential candidate Donald Trump, who had consistently positioned divisive rhetoric during his Presidential campaign to “build a wall” for Mexico.
The Clergy for Minority Youth Matters Movement, a coalition of clergy and lay persons, have been very vocal in their displeasure of limited ethnic participants within NASCAR from drivers, team ownership and executive positions, through a series of “Prayer Intercessions” which have taken place on the corporate headquarter doorstep of some of NASCAR’s top-tier sponsors.
“I am completely dumbfounded at the disrespect the Walt Disney World Co. has shown towards minorities with this NASCAR partnership,” said Chaplain Akil Rose, founder of the Harlem Transformation Project and organizer with the Clergy for Minority Youth Matters Movement.
“I have been on the front lines for months now, vocalizing the Clergy’s displeasure with NASCAR’s systematic discrimination tones towards minorities, and for Disney to think they can pull the wool over our eyes with this NASCAR partnership is disgraceful,” continued Rose.
“Explain why an iconic global brand like Disney, would feel the need to link up with a controversial brand like NASCAR? It was just last March when NASCAR CEO Brian France and Chase Elliott endorsed Presidential candidate Donald Trump, at a rally in Georgia, where Trump continued with his racially insensitive tone to build a wall to Mexico, but now Disney expects the American people, and Mexicans, to just forgive Chase [Elliott] since he and Mexican driver Daniel Suarez will voice characters in the film? That is complete nonsense!” exclaimed Rose.
“I too am taken aback with this partnership between the Walt Disney World Co. and NASCAR,” said Pastor Dr. Luonne Abram Rouse, New York civil rights leader and lead organizer for the Clergy for Minority Youth Matters Movement.
“Disney is portrayed as good, clean, wholesome, family entertainment, the world over, and for them to feel the need to partner with NASCAR, in an attempt to sell more movie tickets, by having the only African-American driver Darrell “Bubba” Wallace and the only Mexican driver Daniel Suarez voice characters for this movie, is a gross betrayal of their core values - and a direct slap in the face to minorities,” mentioned Rouse. “There is no way, in my clear conscience, I will stand idly by and allow this partnership to manifest itself and bare good fortune.”
“Therefore, let it be known, the Clergy for Minority Youth Matters Movement is calling upon all clergy and lay persons to boycott the Walt Disney World Co. and Pixar Animation’s “Cars 3” animated film being released in June, along with any merchandise that will accompany the film,” continued Rouse.
For more information regarding the Clergy for Minority Youth Matters Movement, visit
https://www.facebook.com/clergyforminorityyouthmattersmovement
Contact:
Pastor, Dr. Luonne Abram Rouse
Lead Organizer
Clergy for Minority Youth Matters Movement
E. c4mymm@gmail.com
Source: Clergy for Minority Youth Matters Movement
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