Disney Forces Anaheim House of Blues Concert Cancellation

Disneyland, a fun filled place where every walk of life, every child, every family, every adult can go to have a great time! Disney has been famous not only for its park, its rides, or its island of entertainment, Disney has always been a great source of teaching entertainment for kids.

Growing up watching "Sleeping Beauty", "The Little Mermaid", and "Snow White", Disney has always been known to teach children about the right and wrongs of life. Teaching against racism, and being judgmental towards certain walks of life. Disney has been attempting to teach our children to respect and appreciate everything especially pursuing in every film that evil or t 'the bad guy', never wins.

Recently, Disney has contradicted it self and has become the 'bad guy'. Disneyland has forced the House of Blues to cancel an upcoming concert that contained one of heavy metal's biggest band, Machine Head. The reason behind the cancellation is said to be because of the band citing violent imagery, objectionable fans and seditious lyrics. All upcoming metal shows will be cancelled; bands having provocative names will be banned on names alone.

The House of Blues is a chain of venues that have been a home for live music of all genres since 1992. It's not just a venue, it's a place where their environment celebrates the African American Culture and defines their mission as celebrating the diversity and brotherhood of world culture.

They also see this as a gathering place to promote racial and spiritual harmony. All that the House of Blues believes in, Disney, you would think, would believe in the same teachings.

Disney also carries a place of entertainment called "Pleasure Island" which is home to several clubs that play a range of music from 70's, 80's, hip hop, R&B, and rock & roll. Does that mean that these adult party-all-night will be banning certain bands or named bands from their DJ list?

The House of Blues has many bands that are due to play at their venue that will be critisized and cancelled within the coming months. When looking at the line up, bands such as "The Slackers", "Good Charlotte", "Static X", and "Nightwish" are part of that line up.

The way Disney is wording and pursuing their actions, these above mentioned bands should be banned as well. "The Slackers", this band is a swig jazz band. There is nothing wrong with a jazz band; however the name "Slackers" may portray a message to Disneyland officials as being a band that suggests listeners to slack off on life, which is not a good message for Disney to give to their fans.

Then of course, "Good Charlotte", there is nothing wrong with the name. Disney wants everything that is "good", however, the band is a pop-punk band that expresses themselves in dark almost gothic clothing and a plethora of revealing tattoos. "Static X", an industrial metal band that makes them already on the list for being booted. "Nightwish", a symphonic, power metal band. Just having the name of 'metal' in their type of genre takes them out of the running to perform at the House of Blues.

No matter how a person decides to express themselves, whether it be by their choice of music or their choice of clothing or accessories, each band member is a human being underneath with hopes, dreams, and emotions.

By Disney banning such bands from their property goes against all that Disney is trying to teach our children not to do. By showing this type of racism towards music and or band titles makes us Disney fans wonder what they are planning on doing for further Disney films to teach our children.

Furthermore, many Disney fans have stated that if you are dressed abnormally, Disney will not let you in the park. But what exactly makes you abnormal in the eyes of Disney? You do have to consider that they are the ones that are making billions of dollars off of a talking mouse, right?

As for the violent imagery, anyone seen "The Lion King"? Watching Mufasa fall to his death isn't a pleasurable sight. This only one of many examples that Disney has shown within their children's movies.

For 25 years I have been a dedicated Disney fan, however because of this action, my views are beginning to change. Especially if I spend over a thousand dollars on an already planned vacation next year and I get turned away at the door for wearing a "Slayer" shirt or because my boyfriend has long hair.

In conclusion, each genre of music will have its undesirable fans. This is called individuality. However, if Disney wants to remain as popular as they have become, they are going to have to practice what they preach. Disney has just started a major controversy that I don't think they are going to benefit from.