According to new reports, Netflix has cleaned house, reportedly laying off a number of staff members who consistently advocated for social justice content as well as pulling the plug on several such projects that pandered to woke activists on the topics of race and LGBT issues.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation: Part 2. Chris Wood as Prince Adam in Masters of the Universe: Revelation: Part 2. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2021
On May 17th, Variety revealed that Netflix had pulled the plug on a number of woke animated projects, including an Ava DuVernay produced adaptation of the young adult novel series Wings of Fire, an adaptation of the children’s book With Kind Regards from Kindergarten, and Antiracist Baby, a preschool-oriented series based on the teachings of infamous CRT proponent Ibram X. Kendi.
The streaming giant also cancelled Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, which would have served as a companion piece to the still in production Stamped From the Beginning, a “hybrid documentary and scripted feature that delves into race in the United States”.
Source: Antiracist Baby (2020), Penguin Random House. Words by Ibram X. Kendi, art by Ashley Lukashevsky.
That same day, Netflix also laid off roughly 150 staffers, totalling about 2% of Netflix’s total work force.
According to sources, while Netflix’s decisions to axe their projects were based on creative reasons, these layoffs were reportedly a cost-reducing measure made in light of a weak start to 2022.
Source: Cowboy Bebop (2021), Netflix
As noted by former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss, given that these layoffs were made across their animation, social media, and publishing divisions, those let go “happen to include, just by chance, some of the most Twitter-active social justice workers in the place.”
These cuts came just a few days after Netflix warned their woke employees that if they didn’t agree with the content the streaming giant was producing, they could simply look for job opportunities elsewhere.
Source: AJ and the Queen (2020), Netflix
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In a recent update to their company culture policies, Netflix informed employees, “Not everyone will like—or agree with—everything on our service. While every title is different, we approach them based on the same set of principles.
“We support the artistic expression of the creators we choose to work with,” they explained. “We program for a diversity of audiences and tastes; and we let viewers decide what’s appropriate for them, versus having Netflix censor specific artists or voices.”
Source: NBC News, YouTube
The company continued, “As employees we support the principle that Netflix offers a diversity of stories, even if we find some titles counter to our own personal values.”
“Depending on your role, you may need to work on titles you perceive to be harmful,” they added. “If you’d find it hard to support our content breadth, Netflix may not be the best place for you.”
Dave Chappelle and Friends. Dave Chappelle at the Hollywood Bowl for Netflix Is A Joke Fest. Cr. Mathieu Bitton/Netflix © 2022
English broadcaster Piers Morgan attributed Netflix’s new policies to said woke employees’ incessant protesting against Dave Chappelle’s recent comedy specials.
“Netflix bosses finally realised that if you go too woke, and especially if you let your woke warrior employees push you around, you go broke,” asserted the outspoken broadcaster. “A few weeks ago, many of their snowflake staff rose up in rage against the firm for streaming comedy shows by Dave Chappelle which included him making jokes about trans people.”
He went on, “Chappelle is not a bigot, he’s a comedy genius who likes to poke fun at anyone and everyone, which should frankly be the hallmark of any good fearless comedian.
Source: This Morning, YouTube
Just last month, Netflix revealed in their Q1 2022 financial report that they had lost a staggering 200,000 paid subscribers, which in turn led to them giving the boot to 25 employees in its marketing group.
However, it should be noted that the streaming giant did not include losses resulting from their recent suspension of service in Russia in this total.
Source: DEAR WHITE PEOPLE (L to R) DERON HORTON as LIONEL HIGGINS in episode 401 of DEAR WHITE PEOPLE Cr. LARA SOLANKI/NETFLIX © 2021
Taking those who lost service in the Eurasian country amidst the ongoing conflict with Ukraine into account, this total number of lost subscribers rises by an additional 500,000 customers.
In spite of the massive loss in subscribers, the financial report revealed that the entertainment company did see an increase in revenue from $7.709 to $7.868 billion, though they did note that the expect a loss of 2 million streaming customers in the second quarter of 2022.
Following these lay offs, some of the affected woke employees took to social media to express their frustrations with the streaming giant’s decision.
“Laid off via mass email while on vacation sums up this most recent professional gig almost too perfectly,” wrote former Netflix’s Tudum blogger Olivia Truffaut-Wong.
Source: Olivia Truffaut-Wong, Twitter
In a follow-up tweet, the writer clarified, “OK, yes, I am one of the Tudum layoffs (lol). I did a lot of work I’m proud of, met a lot of really awesome writers and editors, and made great friends.”
“It’s the cycle of media life!” she said. “As always, I’m definitely open to job opportunities! But also, just good vibes and GIFs.”
Source: Olivia Truffaut-Wong, Twitter
“Well, today was my last day at Netflix!!” stated Tudum writer De Elizabeth. “I’m officially looking for freelance work and also have editor experience! Areas of particular interest are: pop culture, mental health, books, LGBTQ+ issues, politics, & motherhood.”
Source: De Elizabeth, Twitter
Senior Giphy Content Manager of Film Tiffany Vazquez lamented, “I’m one of the many people laid off by netflix through fabric today. I still have my other full-time job, but I am very upset at Netflix’s lack of care in this whole situation for people who relied on this work to survive.”
“It’s gross,” she concluded with a fairly remarkable sense of entitlement.
Source: Tiffany Vazquez, Twitter
What do you make of Netflix giving the boot to several of its woke employees? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below or on social media.
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