Disney Just Hired a Chicano Cartoonist Who Criticized Them for Years
Remember Disney’s Dia de los Muertos movie? It’s called Coco and it’s scheduled for release in 2017.
Credit: Disney
In 2013, Disney sparked controversy when they attempted to trademark the phrase “Dia de los Muertos.”
Credit: Pocho.com
Once Latinos found out, a social media movement to stop Disney was kicked off.
Our culture is NOT for sale. Stop Disney from trademarking Day of the Dead. http://t.co/XwCVgn6BAX
— Latino Rebels (@latinorebels) May 7, 2013
A Change.org online petition received more than 20,000 signatures. “Our spiritual traditions are for everyone, not for companies like Walt Disney to trademark and exploit,” read a statement by the creator of the petition.
They were successful. Disney eventually pulled its trademark request.
Credit: Pocho.com
¡Si se pudo!
One of Disney’s most vocal critics was political cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz.
Hey Disney, if I were you, I wouldn't mess with Mictlan
— Mexican Judge (@laloalcaraz) May 7, 2013
Credit: @laloalcaraz / Twitter
He published this cartoon in response to Disney’s trademark request:
Credit: laloalcaraz.com
It’s wasn’t the first time Alacaraz was critical of Disney:
Credit: laloalcaraz.com
Alacaraz’s “Migra Mouse” cartoon was created in 1994 to call out Disney for supporting Pete Wilson, who was Governor of California at the time. In the ’90s, Wilson backed Proposition 187, a ballot measure that, if approved by voters, would deny services to undocumented immigrants. The ballot measured passed but was eventually ruled unconstitutional.
Earlier this week, Alcaraz had a surprise for fans:
ESPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: I am on the team creating the new Pixar Day of the Dead movie titled "Coco". pic.twitter.com/tQ5MzOisbq
— Mexican Judge (@laloalcaraz) August 16, 2015
Credit: @laloalcaraz / Twitter
Alcaraz revealed that he was hired as a consultant on the animated film.
Most people were congratulatory:
@laloalcaraz Congrats! Please make sure they don't portray us with the cliche's. Poor Mexicans with burro's and tattered clothes etc.
— Ernesto De La Rosa (@erosa1981) August 18, 2015
Credit: @erosa1981 / Twitter
A few, however, felt he was participating in the exploitation of Mexican culture.
@spaniardgahbage @laloalcaraz that's does not give him or @Disney to make profit out of a #mexican tradition. Sacred is not private.
— Eren Cervantes (@ErenArruna) August 18, 2015
Credit: @ErenArruna / Twitter
Alcaraz wasn’t surprised.
If a Mexican shares good news, and your immediate reaction is anger… Congratulations! YOU ARE PROBABLY MEXICAN.
— Mexican Judge (@laloalcaraz) August 17, 2015
Credit: @laloalcaraz / Twitter
And said he understands why some people are apprehensive about his hire…
@laloalcaraz we can, I just get worried when corporations get involved with our culture. Thankfully you'll be there to right any wrong
— joe gomez (@GomezATX) August 16, 2015
Credit: @GomezATX / Twitter
That's why they brought me on, I get it though, i'm always worried too https://t.co/qzjfCQNq35
— Mexican Judge (@laloalcaraz) August 16, 2015
Credit: @laloalcaraz / Twitter
Alcaraz, who is also working on the animated series Bordertown, says companies like Disney need to hire more “brown folk.”
Pues this is the way we get more raza directors, producers, by supporting projects that do hire brown folk! #coco https://t.co/cilrx0zQBh
— Mexican Judge (@laloalcaraz) August 17, 2015
Alcaraz is pretty much saying, “If not someone like me, then who?”
