A Philadelphia Sesame Street theme park’s predictable reaction to a mother who accused a worker dressed as the character Rosita of deliberately ignoring two children because they are black has been to roll over and force employees to undergo bias training as the family has brought in the lawyers.
The training and looming legal action are the latest developments in the story of a ginned-up racial outrage firestorm that was ignited by a video posted to Instagram showing the park employee in a furry turquoise costume walking by the two young children who are seen waving along with the claim that Rosita didn’t similarly ignore a white girl, which wasn’t included in the viral video.
The furious user whose screen name is jodiiii wrote, “We were on our way out of sesame place and the kids wanted to stop to see the characters. THIS DISGUSTING person blatantly told our kids NO then proceeded to hug the little white girl next to us!”
#BabyPaige & her cute lil friends went to @SesamePlace this weekend to celebrate Paige's 4th birthday & this is how #SesamePlace treated these beautiful Black children. I'm HOT. pic.twitter.com/wATjpRzUF1
— Leslie Mac (@LeslieMac) July 17, 2022
Because in modern-day America, any perceived slight of a person of color MUST be evidence of racism, her post drew national media attention although Sesame Place denied that there was any racial intent and that the employee likely didn’t see the two children, issuing a statement in which it apologized for the incident and “invited them back for a special meet-and-greet opportunity with our characters,” which did not placate the angry mom.
Jodi Brown appeared on “TMZ Live” on Tuesday along with her attorney B’Ivory LaMarr where they discussed the prospect of a lawsuit against Sesame Park
Acknowledging that it is difficult to prove discrimination, the lawyer suggested that there may be a “pattern” of systemic racism at the park, saying that he has been contacted by several other families who also allege that they may have been victims of racial bias.
(Video: TMZ)
In another statement, Sesame Place groveled and begged for forgiveness while vowing to force its employees to participate in upcoming training sessions.
“We sincerely apologize to the family for their experience in our park on Saturday; we know that it’s not ok,” the statement reads. We are taking actions to do better. We will conduct training for our employees so they better understand, recognize and deliver an inclusive, equitable and entertaining experience to our guests.”
— Sesame Place Philadelphia (@SesamePlace) July 18, 2022
“For over 40 years Sesame Place has worked to uphold the values of respect, inclusion and belonging. We are committed to doing a better job making children and families feel special, seen and included when they come to our parks,” the statement added.
Another family member, Leslie Mac who is the aunt of the girls as well as a digital strategist and self-proclaimed “‘anti-racism trainer” who made the Essence list of “Woke 100 Women” in 2020 took to Twitter to give her take on the alleged racism at the theme park.
On #SesamePlace Part 1 of 2
How we got here… pic.twitter.com/6G3YMIZG6g— Leslie Mac (@LeslieMac) July 19, 2022
Part 2/2 #SesamePlace #SesamePlaceHatesBlackChildren
And you charlatans know I’m talking to you cuz you ready tried your extractive bullshit. Don’t worry, I know your well worn playbook & cut that shit off.
Stay for fun pics of the kids having fun before the racism. pic.twitter.com/HdZ7xG0tW8
— Leslie Mac (@LeslieMac) July 19, 2022
In an initial statement, Sesame Place said, “The performer portraying the Rosita character has confirmed that the ‘no’ hand gesture seen several times in the video was not directed at any specific person, rather it was a response to multiple requests from someone in the crowd who asked Rosita to hold their child for a photo which is not permitted,” according to the statement. “The Rosita performer did not intentionally ignore the girls and is devastated about the misunderstanding.”
Now that the sharks smell blood in the water and are circling, it remains to be seen whether the park will continue to defend its employee or toss them overboard.
Get the latest BPR news delivered free to your inbox daily. SIGN UP HERE
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Chris Donaldson is an ordinary American who is concerned about rampant corruption as well as the ongoing attacks on our way of life by those who have contempt for our hard-earned freedoms. A Navy veteran, he has been a frequent contributor to conservative websites and resides in Florida.
- Trump atty makes provocative prediction on how one justice will rule on Colorado ballot case - January 5, 2024
- Migrants complain about life in NYC: ‘Pets are treated better than us’ - January 5, 2024
- ‘The View’ co-host Joy Behar accidentally jabs herself with epic self-own about vaccines - January 5, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
