Delayed accountability, swift action
Hey besties,
A departure from our normal links-based newsletter this week.
We’ll dive into how two comms teams responded to allegations of harm against children. One acted immediately. The other waited until they had no choice.
✊ First: United Farm Workers and Cesar Chavez
The New York Times published a harrowing, explosive account of rape and abuse allegations of minors against Cesar Chavez, the beloved workers' rights icon.
The United Farm Workers — the union Chavez founded and led until his death — responded like humans:
"We need some time to get this right, including to ensure robust, trauma-informed services are available to those who may need it."
Yet they still acted. Fast.
They canceled Cesar Chavez Day celebrations and other organizations quickly followed suit, renaming holidays to Farm Workers Day instead.
The United Farm Workers were clear they'd received no reports and had no firsthand knowledge of the allegations.
They acted decisively anyway.
🌹 Next: Disney/ABC and The Bachelorette Taylor Frankie Paul
Disney dug its own grave on this one.
Casting Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW) star Taylor Frankie Paul as the next Bachelorette, instead of the usual former contestant, was a nightmare dressed as a daydream hiding in plain sight.
Here's a recap:
2023: Taylor Frankie Paul pled guilty to domestic violence. (This happened before SLOMW’s first season even aired.)
Disney's response: Cast her anyway.
Earlier this week: SLOMW halted filming. Police confirmed an open domestic assault investigation involving Taylor Frankie Paul.
Disney's response: Kept the press tour going, including a GMA segment Wednesday.
Yesterday: Video footage from the 2023 incident went public. It's disturbing. Her daughter was allegedly hit by a thrown barstool and can be heard begging for her mom.
Disney's response: Finally canceled her season, set to air Sunday.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time.”
Notice the emphasis on "newly released" and "just surfaced today."
Do we really think Disney, one of the most powerful media companies doing due diligence on the most popular reality shows, had no idea about this video? Didn't investigate police reports? Didn't interview the father of one of her children?
I’ll say it: Disney knew. They figured she'd make great TV and it was worth the risk. But once there was video of a child being harmed, it was finally too much.
🧠 The comms lesson
The stakes for United Farm Workers were massive. High schools, parks, roads are named after Chavez. He galvanized a movement. Watching his legacy collapse is painful, especially now, and especially for the Latino community.
Yet they acted immediately.
For Disney, the stakes were nothing. They could've cast anyone. Instead, they chose someone with a documented domestic violence conviction. They promoted her through new abuse allegations.
UFW believed survivors and acted when it mattered most.
Disney waited until the evidence was undeniable and the damage was done.
One chose principle. The other chose ratings… until the optics became impossible.
What will you choose?
Chat soon,
Gab Ferree
Founder & Your Comms BFF, Off the Record
PS: Last week’s most-clicked was the AI writing tropes.
PPS: We’re taking next week off to celebrate summer coming early Spring Break. Be back in your inboxes on April 3!
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