Disney Accused of Racism in Massive Backlash Over 'Captain Durag' Character

Disney is once again facing controversy — this time not from conservative critics wary of corporate wokeism, but from segments of the very activist culture it has long tried to appease.

The entertainment giant has drawn sharp criticism following the debut of a character dubbed “Captain Durag” in its Disney Jr. animated series “Hey A.J.!” The show, adapted from a children’s book series authored by former NFL player Martellus Bennett, centers on a young black girl named A.J., whose imagination fuels playful adventures alongside her family and toys. Music plays a prominent role throughout the series.

Among those imaginary characters is “Captain Durag,” a superhero figure who assists A.J. in navigating everyday challenges. The character is portrayed as a black man wearing a purple armored suit and an oversized durag that doubles as a mask.

For those unfamiliar, durags are close-fitting head coverings historically associated with black hair care and cultural identity.

What was likely intended as creative representation quickly sparked a heated online debate.

“Disney is under massive backlash from the Black community for launching a children’s tv show featuring a new superhero created by Disney Jr. called Captain Durag who can be seen flying around… with [a] Durag covering his face as a mask,” independent content creator Dom Lucre posted on X.

Complicating matters was the timing. The character’s introduction coincided with Black History Month — a detail some critics seized upon.

“Many Black Americans feel this is extremely disrespectful and even more so during Black History Month,” Lucre added.

Reaction across social media has been sharply divided. Some viewers praised the effort at cultural representation, while others condemned it as stereotypical. In a particularly ironic twist, critics even attacked the show’s black female creator, branding her a “coon” and “fake” black person.

The episode underscores a broader truth about today’s cultural climate: when corporations immerse themselves in identity politics, they rarely emerge unscathed.

For years, companies like Disney have leaned heavily into progressive social messaging, eager to signal virtue and align themselves with ever-shifting activist demands. But as this latest backlash demonstrates, there is no stable ground in grievance-driven politics. Standards change by the week, and yesterday’s celebrated representation can quickly become today’s outrage.

In a healthier cultural environment — one not dominated by hyper-politicized racial discourse — a children’s superhero might simply be viewed as harmless imagination. Instead, corporations that have embraced political correctness now find themselves trapped within the very framework they helped normalize.

The controversy surrounding “Captain Durag” may ultimately fade. But the broader lesson remains: when entertainment giants prioritize social engineering over storytelling, they invite endless scrutiny from every ideological angle.

And as Disney continues navigating this landscape, it faces a dilemma of its own making.