In the eighth episode of the fourth season of the American comedy-drama television series Atlanta, a fictional character named Thomas Washington assumes the role of the first Black CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
This particular episode, titled “The Goof Who Sat By the Door,” takes the form of a mockumentary.
Within this satirical narrative, viewers are treated to the story of Washington’s ascent to the Disney CEO position.
His ambitious goal is to create what he envisions as “the Blackest movie of all time,” which he plans to achieve through a project centered around A Goofy Movie.
“The Goof Who Sat By the Door” serves as both a homage and satire.
It pays tribute to the novel and film “The Spook Who Sat by the Door” while also poking fun at Disney’s historical representation of Black individuals within their animation and storytelling.
Who Was The 1st Black CEO 0f Disney?
In actuality, Disney has never been led by a Black CEO.
Currently, at the helm of Disney is Bob Chapek, who assumed the role in 2020, succeeding Bob Iger.
Bob Iger held the position of Disney’s CEO from 2005 to 2020, during which he orchestrated significant acquisitions such as Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox.
He also spearheaded the successful launch of Disney+ streaming service.
Preceding Iger, Michael Eisner served as Disney’s CEO from 1984 to 2005, where he breathed new life into the company’s animation division, producing iconic classics like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story.
Nonetheless, Disney has seen the presence of Black executives and board members over the years.
Notably, Oprah Winfrey became a board member in 1996, contributing until 2018.
She also played key roles in the production and acting of various Disney films, including Beloved, A Wrinkle in Time, and The Princess and the Frog.
Another significant Black executive within Disney is Zenia Mucha, holding the role of Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer.
She bears responsibility for managing global communications for the company, encompassing areas like media relations, corporate branding, and social responsibility.
Is Thomas Washington Disney Based On A True Story?
Thomas Washington is not an actual individual; however, he appears to be loosely inspired by Floyd Norman, who holds the distinction of being Disney’s first African-American animator.
Norman commenced his tenure with Disney in 1956, contributing his talents to timeless classics such as Sleeping Beauty, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Notably, Norman’s career extended beyond Disney, encompassing stints at Hanna-Barbera, Pixar, and the establishment of his own company, Vignette Films.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Norman was honored as a Disney Legend in 2007 and was the focal point of the documentary titled “Floyd Norman: An Animated Life” in 2016.
Floyd Norman has recounted that his experience at Disney was marked by a notable absence of widespread racism or discrimination.
He emphasized his profound passion for the art of animation over political matters.
Moreover, he expressed a unique perspective regarding Goofy, viewing the character not as a racist caricature but as an amusing persona he took delight in animating.
Nevertheless, Norman did acknowledge that Goofy’s origins could be traced back to Art Babbitt, who initially drew upon derogatory stereotypes about Black people for inspiration in shaping Goofy’s personality and mannerisms.
What Did Thomas Washington Do?
In the mockumentary set in Atlanta, an interesting twist occurred in 1992 when Thomas Washington unexpectedly assumed the role of Disney’s CEO.
The board of directors originally intended to appoint Tom Washington, a white individual who held the position of head of marketing.
However, due to a name mix-up, Thomas Washington, a Black animator, was chosen instead.
Seizing this opportunity, Thomas Washington embarked on a mission to create what he envisioned as “the Blackest movie of all time,” which ultimately materialized as “A Goofy Movie.”
Released in 1995, “A Goofy Movie” is an animated musical comedy that revolves around the adventures of Goofy and his teenage son Max during a cross-country road trip.
Along their journey, they encounter a series of hurdles and escapades, including encounters with Bigfoot, a peculiar possum park, a thrilling car chase, and a Powerline concert, featuring the voice of Tevin Campbell as the pop star.
This film draws its inspiration from the TV series “Goof Troop” and retains many of the beloved characters from that show.
In the Atlanta mockumentary’s version of events, Thomas Washington’s motivation for creating “A Goofy Movie” extended beyond mere entertainment.
He sought to reclaim Goofy’s identity as a Black character and delve into profound themes such as fatherhood, masculinity, culture, music, and love from a Black perspective.
To realize this vision, he assembled a team of Black writers, animators, voice actors, musicians, and consultants, ensuring an authentic representation of Black culture.
Furthermore, he made thoughtful adjustments to the original script and storyboards, aligning them more closely with the Black experience to create a film that resonated with diverse audiences.
For example,
- He changed Max’s love interest from Roxanne (a red-haired white girl) to Monique (a brown-skinned Black girl).
- He added scenes where Max gets harassed by police officers for skateboarding and where Goofy teaches Max how to do a proper dap (a handshake gesture).
- He changed Powerline’s appearance from a generic pop star to a more distinctive one inspired by Prince.
- He changed the ending from Max confessing his feelings to Roxanne at Powerline’s concert to Max and Monique kissing on stage while Powerline performs “I2I” (a song that stands for “eye to eye” and “I to I”).
What Is The Story Of The Goof Who Sat By The Door Thomas Washington?
The episode’s title, “The Goof Who Sat By the Door,” pays homage to the novel and film “The Spook Who Sat by the Door.”
#AtlantaFX S4:E8 ‘The Goof Who Sat by the Door ‘ https://t.co/73O4LesXC5
— Nother Brother Ent. (@NotherBrother) August 25, 2023
This novel, penned by Sam Greenlee in 1969, and the subsequent 1973 film directed by Ivan Dixon, serve as a political thriller and satire.
They center around the story of Dan Freeman, a Black man who becomes the first Black CIA agent.
He leverages his skills and knowledge to train a guerrilla army of Black revolutionaries.
In the episode, intriguing parallels are drawn between Thomas Washington and Dan Freeman.
Both are Black men who infiltrate predominantly white institutions, using their positions to disrupt the established order and uplift their communities.
Nevertheless, the episode also highlights their differences.
Thomas Washington wields animation and comedy as his tools of choice, while Dan Freeman relies on violence and espionage.
Moreover, the episode suggests that both pay a price for their actions.
Thomas Washington mysteriously vanishes in 1995, and Dan Freeman becomes a fugitive in 1973.
Additionally, the episode cleverly references other films and works that explore similar themes.
These include “Putney Swope,” “Bamboozled,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “Black Panther,” “Soul,” and “The Lion King.”
Notably, the episode includes cameo appearances by Brian McKnight, Sinbad, and Jenna Wortham, who play themselves in the narrative.
Conclusion
Thomas Washington is a fictional character in Atlanta, created to humorously parody and honor A Goofy Movie’s cultural significance among Black audiences.
The episode is a witty mockumentary delving into Disney’s animation history and its portrayal of Black people, prompting viewers to reflect on their own views of race, media, and identity.
