Additional Coverage:
- I canceled Disney+ in protest of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension. I used ‘Hamilton’ to explain to my kids why. (businessinsider.com)
Portland Family Stages ‘Hamilton’-Inspired Boycott, Cancels Disney+ Over Free Speech Concerns
Portland, OR – When it comes to standing up for principles, some families take a page straight out of history — or, in the case of Portland mom Kelli Caldwell, a page from a hit Broadway musical. Caldwell, a 54-year-old children’s musician and stay-at-home mom, recently made the impactful decision to cancel her family’s Disney+ subscription, citing concerns over free speech and media influence.
Her method for explaining this complex issue to her 12-year-old twins? The wildly popular musical, “Hamilton.”
The catalyst for Caldwell’s swift action came after news surfaced regarding pressure on ABC, a network owned by Disney, and the subsequent brief suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. “The minute I heard the FCC chair was putting pressure on ABC, and when I realized Disney was the one that owns ABC, I was really sad,” Caldwell shared.
A firm believer in the power of consumers “voting with their dollars,” Caldwell wasted no time. Within hours, she approached her husband with the directive: “We need to cancel this.” While her husband is typically less outspoken on such matters, he quickly came on board, supporting the decision to remove one more bill from their list.
The real challenge, however, was communicating the “why” to their 12-year-old twins. “They have had some social studies, but they’re not necessarily going to understand the Constitution in detail,” Caldwell explained. Recognizing their children’s deep affection for “Hamilton,” a musical her son even has two songs memorized and raps, Caldwell saw an opening.
“We tried to explain to our kids what it means to have our Constitution and a country where we have these fundamental rights,” she recounted. The connection between a streaming service cancellation and constitutional principles was, understandably, a “bit of a rough go” at first. Her son, midway through an “Avengers” movie marathon, responded with a pointed, “Why should the children pay for this?”
Caldwell and her husband addressed his concerns directly. “It is a sacrifice, and it really sucks that you should have to be part of that sacrifice,” they told him, “but there are a lot of kids in the world and the US that are having worse things happen.” They then drew parallels to the sacrifices made by historical figures in “Hamilton,” reinforcing the weight of their family’s decision.
The decision was particularly poignant for the Caldwell family, who share a deep love for all things Disney. Caldwell herself has cherished memories of solo “retreats” to Disneyland, where she’d write songs in line for rides, composing “love letters” to her children before they were old enough to join her.
The family had even enjoyed two “awesome” trips to Disneyland with the twins, including a masked visit during Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. Unbeknownst to the children, a January trip was already in the works when the Disney+ cancellation occurred.
In a promising turn, Disney appears to have heard the message. After listening to Jimmy Kimmel’s subsequent speech, Caldwell noted, “It seems like Disney heard the message, and I hope they will be strong in the future against things like this.” Her husband presented a logical point: “If we took it away to send a message, shouldn’t we give it back to them for doing the right thing?”
While the family is cautiously optimistic, Caldwell is keen to ensure her children grasp the significance of their actions. “I don’t want my kids to think this was not a big deal if we’re like, ‘Today we’re canceling Disney+ and tomorrow we’re taking it back,'” she stated.
“I don’t think that helps them understand the magnitude of what it was. I want them to feel good about participating and standing up for the right thing.”
With Disney’s apparent shift, the prospect of reinstating Disney+ and proceeding with their January Disneyland trip looks much brighter. However, the Caldwells aren’t rushing to book just yet. They’re giving it some time, ensuring the lesson on free speech and civic engagement truly resonates with their young “Hamilton” fans.