It seems Sesame Place is in some hot water.
Just over a week ago, a mother claimed that a Sesame Street character named Rosita snubbed her daughter by refusing to engage with her.
However, a different family has filed a class action lawsuit against Sesame Street, claiming that they were ignored due to the color of their skin.
Sesame Place Is Facing A $25 Million Dollar Lawsuit Alleging Racism
— Sesame Workshop (@SesameWorkshop) July 18, 2022
On Thursday morning, TMZ reported that the Sesame Place Philadelphia theme park was slapped with a $25 million class action lawsuit. According to the court documents, a man named Quinton Burns says that the park and the costumed performers insulted black families and black children by refusing to engage with them.
Burns says that he and his family visited Sesame Place Philadelphia last month, on June 18, 2022. Burns bought tickets for him and his young daughter, who was looking forward to a “Meet and Greet” with several recognizable Sesame Street characters.
— Sesame Place Philadelphia (@SesamePlace) July 18, 2022
Unfortunately, it seems that the encounter did not go as expected. Burns said he attended a “Meet and Greet” with employees dressed as Elmo, Ernie, Telly Monster, and Abby Cadabby. However, Burns alleges that the costumed performers did not engage with him or his daughter.
In the court documents, Burn alleges that the employees seemed all too happy to engage with white families, while families of color were ignored.
What About The Family That Was Snubbed By ‘Rosita’?
#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
Earlier this month, digital strategist Leslie Mac posted a video online showing her 4-year-old, Paige, and her friend, extending her hand to a Sesame Street costumed character named Rosita. However, when the costumed employee gets to the girls, she waves her hand in a “no” gesture, shakes her head, and walks away.
TMZ spoke with Mac, who revealed that they had hired their own family attorney who has been speaking with representatives at Sesame Place Philadelphia to try to correct what happened. They have floated the possibility of taking their own legal action against the theme park.
A representative for Sesame Place told TMZ, “We will review the lawsuit filed on behalf of Mr. Burns. We look forward to addressing that claim through the established legal process. We are committed to delivering an inclusive, equitable, and entertaining experience for all our guests.”
Celebrities Speaking Out Over Shocking Sesame Street Snub
This is absolutely disgusting.@SesamePlace https://t.co/aUHHWfGMgS
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) July 18, 2022
The Hollywood Reporter gathered a list of celebrity reactions to the video. “Say My Name” singer Kelly Rowland expressed her outrage on their Instagram account, commenting, “Those gorgeous girls will never forget that feeling! THEY ARE KIDS!!!!! You should be ASHAMED of yourselves for this pathetic statement!”
“The Gilded Age” actress Audra McDonald tweeted, “This is absolutely disgusting.”
Every Black woman was once a little Black girl who made this face when the way things are for us in America first broke her heart.
The experiences that create this face are the ones that breed warriors.
I wish life here didn’t require us to be that, though. pic.twitter.com/FxNEPRaC2P
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) July 18, 2022
“Every Black woman was once a little Black girl who made this face when the way things are for us in America first broke her heart,” tweeted “Community” actress Yvette Nicole Brown.
WITNESS THE END OF INNOCENCE. WITNESS THE TRAUMA. This moment is violent, scarring, psychological abuse. Watching it reminds me of my own. 4 years old on Mardi Gras Day being denied the joy I see other kids having and the realization the horrible reality. The immediate loss. Pain https://t.co/uarKvqocx3
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) July 18, 2022
“The Wire” actor Wendell Pierce added, “Watching [this video] reminds me of my own. 4 years old on Mardi Gras Day being denied the joy I see other kids having and the realization the horrible reality.”
