Disneyland hosts 'power/privilege wheel', categorizing traits like 'white' and 'male' as 'unearned' privilege

Posters displaying a "wheel of power/privilege" were placed in employee areas at Disneyland, directing staff that possessing qualities like being a white, "cisgender male," and the ability to speak English indicates having "unearned" privilege, which their "marginalized" colleagues lack.

The image, obtained by the Daily Wire shows the wheel, prominently displayed for all employees, has the term "power" at its center and resembles a dartboard in layout, with specific characteristics spreading outwards tagged as "marginalized." Traits such as being white, a "cisgender male," property ownership, and English fluency are deemed privileged.

Conversely, having dark skin, being transgender, experiencing homelessness, and lacking English proficiency are labeled as marginalized. Situated between the inner and outer rings — signifying a status that's not entirely marginalized yet not wholly privileged — are "cisgender women," gay men, individuals with only a high school education, and those who have acquired English.

Included with the wheel is a definition of “privilege,” stating that it is “unearned access or advantage granted to specific groups of people because of their membership in a social group.”

“Privilege can be based off a variety of different social identities such as race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, ability status, sexuality, age, education level, and more,” it continues. “Within the US, members of social groups that hold privileges (white, male, wealthy, able-bodied, etc) have historically held dominance and power over targeted groups.”

The poster also asks, “why should we accept that we have privileges?” following with the answer, which states: “By accepting that we have privileges, we can see that not everyone sees the world from our perspective and that we have privileges in our life that have hindered our awareness of the world.”

The picture was supplied by a Walt Disney Company employee who chose to stay unidentified due to concerns about potential backlash from the company. This individual reported that the materials were displayed in the production kitchen on Main Street USA within Disneyland, located in Anaheim, California. This kitchen provides services to Carnation Cafe, The Tropical Hideaway, Jolly Holiday Bakery and Cafe, and Refreshment Corner, which is sponsored by Coca Cola.

According to the employee, such polarizing content is "destroying the magic" of the park.

“So many cast members, myself included, are tired of the division being pushed by companies with a lack of regard for the founder’s vision,” the source told The Daily Wire. “This isn’t what Walt would have wanted for his company. He once said, ‘To ALL who come to this happy place, Welcome.’ Things like this make people feel unwelcome, destroying the magic.”

Ian Miles Cheong

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Ian Miles Cheong is a freelance writer, graphic designer, journalist and videographer. He’s kind of a big deal on Twitter.

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