Space Jam director who created Disney's woke cartoon says he's THRILLED to ... trends now
The creator of Disney+ show The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder said he is thrilled by the backlash against the cartoon – which has been branded 'anti-white propaganda'.
Disney was slammed for going woke yet again after the cartoon featured black children rapping about reparations and saying, 'slaves built this country'.
Space Jam co-director Bruce W. Smith, 61, created the show first in 2001 until 2005, and has since rebooted it for a comeback on the streaming platform.
After witnessing the backlash, Smith tweeted: 'Why the fear? We're thrilled to have the opportunity to stoke the conversation.'
He retweeted a comment on a video showing the kids in the show peacefully protesting when the cops in riot gear show up.
Space Jam co-director Bruce W. Smith created the show first in 2001 until 2005, and has since rebooted it for a comeback on the streaming platform
After witnessing the backlash, Smith tweeted: 'Why the fear? We're thrilled to have the opportunity to stoke the conversation'
It said: 'Republicans are losing their minds, calling on Americans to Boycott Disney because of this scene from a Disney cartoon 'The Proud Family'.
'They are literally mad that kids are learning that slaves helped build our nation. What the hell are they afraid of?'
Smith also liked a comment which said: 'Everyone so surprised that Proud family did this.
'Y'all forget the original had episodes about segregation, discrimination post 9/11 of middle eastern folks and an episode about the F slur/bullying gay kids?
'C'mon now. Proud family isn't 'suddenly woke' now.'
Smith, who co-directed the Warner Bros live-action and animated movie Space Jam, first joined Disney in 1988 and worked as an animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
He returned to Disney after Space Jam to supervise the animation of Tarzan and the Emperor’s New Groove.
From there, he supervised animation of The Princess and the Frog, Winnie the Pooh and was the lead animator on Tangled Ever After – a Disney short.
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The show has also been praised for including an autism diagnosis for one of the characters, with one person tweeting that it wasn't 'suddenly woke'
He also worked on Wreck-it Ralph and Frozen, and co-directed the 2019 Academy Award®-winning animated short Hair Love.
Smith returned to Disney after Space Jam to supervise the animation of Tarzan and the Emperor’s New Groove
Smith also won the Annie Awards Winsor McCay Award for career contributions to animation in 2021, and is currently signed to an overall deal with Walt Disney Television Animation with Ralph Farquhar.
The episode which sparked outrage shows characters discovering that their town was built by slaves and then giving a presentation to their school.
As part of the rap, which as been branded 'blatant anti-white propaganda', a white character is seen standing on a stage with a poster that says 'still not atoned'.
It is echoing the current situation in California, with a reparations board insisting that every long-term black resident get $5million in reparations.
During the episode the characters, who are predominantly black, rule that Abraham Lincoln had no desire to end slavery – and so stage a petition to get his statue removed.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder sparked outrage by showing the characters discovering that their town was built by slaves and then giving a presentation to their school
As part of the rap, which as been branded 'blatant anti-white propaganda', a white character is seen standing on a stage with a poster that says 'still not atoned'
Disney claim that the show 'follows the adventures and misadventures of newly 14-year-old Penny Proud and her Proud Family as they navigate modern life with hilarity and heart'
Disney claim that the show 'follows the adventures and misadventures of newly 14-year-old Penny Proud and her Proud Family as they navigate modern life with hilarity and heart.'
But it has sparked a major backlash with viewers, who have accused the broadcasting giant of 'beaming woke BLM propaganda straight into your living rooms'.
Others started using the hashtag #BoycottDisney after watching the footage, which also depicts police officers in riot gear turning up at their protest.
In the episode Penny learns the meaning of Junteenth, and discovers a 'terrifying truth' about the town – that it was founded by a slave owner.
Part of the rap on the show, which is aimed at a younger audience, says: And we, the descendants of slaves in America, have earned reparations continue.
'And continue to earn reparations every moment we spend submerged in the systemic prejudice, racism, and white supremacy that America was founded with and still has not atoned for.'
During the episode the characters, who are predominantly black, rule that Abraham Lindon had no desire to end slavery – and so stage a petition to get his statue removed
