After backlash, Disney removes ‘Maui’ costume from stores

Disney has pulled a Halloween costume from shelves after some groups complained that it was racist.

The costume, dubbed “Maui Costume for Kids” online, was part of a promotion for its upcoming animated film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson—“Moana.” The costume is named for Johnson’s character, whose name is Maui.

The outfit is essentially a brown-skinned body suit with tribal tattoos, long hair, a feather skirt and a necklace.

Tweets played a role in the company’s decision to remove the costume from stores:

I was excited for a film which represented pasifika culture but Disney selling brown skin as merch is racist and disgusting #DecolonizeMoana

— danika (@lovatoreguii) September 20, 2016

this 👏🏽morning👏🏽 in 👏🏽dumb 👏🏽things. really, who (from Disney) thought a "brown skin" costume would be a Good Thing? https://t.co/dARZqhnwqF

— Kat Chow (@katchow) September 20, 2016

I don’t know why anyone is surprised at Disney: they’re a racist empire. What they’ve done with Moana costumes is one vomitous example.

— binary smasher (@kiwinerd) September 19, 2016

A YouTube video (containing strong, NSFW language) from user Chelsie Haunani Fairchild—a self-described Polynesian and native Hawaiian—has more than 11,000 views. Fairchild says the costume is an example of cultural appropriation.

In a statement Disney responded in a statement:

The team behind Moana has taken great care to respect the cultures of the Pacific Islands that inspired the film, and we regret that the Maui costume has offended some.

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Some users questioned whether the movie itself is also racist:

The Costume is Racist…??? I Think the Whole Movie (and Concept) is Racist… This is the Exploiting of Diversity…https://t.co/qfTVT9fpoF

— Erik Landwehr (@EJLandwehr) September 23, 2016

Still, there are others who didn’t find any problem with the costume:

@Disney Samoan here. Also not offended by #Moana costume in the slightest. Why is every other cultural costume other than American, "racist"

— Geovanni Lemus (@geovanniylemus) September 23, 2016

This makes me "part of the problem" according to a tweet I saw, but I don't understand why Disney's Moana costume is being called racist.

— Vᴇʀɴ (@outlawvern) September 23, 2016

What do you think, PR Daily readers? Was Disney right to pull the costume, or is this an example of over-sensitivity?

(Image via)

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