Disney Removes Costume After People Get Angry Over Brownface
Disney will stop selling a full-body brown-skin costume of Maui from Moana on its website and store after people said they were offended.
Disney said Wednesday (September 21, 2016) it is pulling a brown-skin tattoo costume of Maui, a Polynesian demigod who is voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the upcoming film Moana, after people accused the company of cultural appropriation.
Disney said in a statement that the team behind Moana has taken great care to respect the cultures of the Pacific Islands that inspired the film and that they regret offending some people with the costume. “We sincerely apologize.”
The “authentic” costume was described on the Walt Disney Store’s website as including “allover Maui body tattoo screen art,” an “island-style skirt,” “photorealistic teeth art appliqués,” and “padded arms and legs for mighty stature.”
The zip-up costume, which cost nearly $50 along with a matching wig for another $15, left many people wondering whether it should be considered a celebration of culture or just a very offensive example of cultural appropriation.
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Disney said in a statement that the team behind Moana has taken great care to respect the cultures of the Pacific Islands that inspired the film and that they regret offending some people with the costume. “We sincerely apologize.”
The “authentic” costume was described on the Walt Disney Store’s website as including “allover Maui body tattoo screen art,” an “island-style skirt,” “photorealistic teeth art appliqués,” and “padded arms and legs for mighty stature.”
The zip-up costume, which cost nearly $50 along with a matching wig for another $15, left many people wondering whether it should be considered a celebration of culture or just a very offensive example of cultural appropriation.
Is this cultural appropriation at its most offensive worst? #BrownFace. OR just a fun celebration of Pasifika? https://t.co/wVEtA0FMpX
— Samoa Planet (@SamoaPlanet) September 17, 2016
