One aspect of The Lion King that’s crucial to the Disney tale’s standing as a masterpiece is the comedic dynamic between Timon and Pumbaa.

In an interview for Shadow And Act with Robin Ayers, both stars Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, who voice Timon and Pumbaa, discussed the importance of being allies, especially in a climate where Black people and people of color are the victims of police brutality, the border crisis, and discrimination.

When asked on what people on the outside need to do for the Black community and other communities of color to step up and be allies, Eichner gave an insightful answer.

“Although on paper we are integrated, in many ways, we are still segregated,” Eichner said. “And I think we have to work toward actual integration in order to understand each other and what we’re going through.”

“And what I love about The Lion King is that aside from the diversity of the cast, it really is a movie about realizing the effect that you have on other people on the planet,” he continued. “Even if you’re in different countries and if there might be a border that we’ve created at some point in our history. that when you take a bird’s eye view of it, we’re all sharing the planet together and we have to take care of each other.”

The Lion King arrives in theaters on July 19, 2019. Watch the interview below:

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Photo: Shadow And Act