More recordings have surfaced showing the Rosita from Sesame Street acting rude to black kids at the Philadelphia amusement park.
The first video showed two young black cousins being snubbed by the blue Muppet at Sesame Place while giving high-fives to white kids, sparking accusations of racism.
Leslie Mac, a Philadelphia resident and the aunt of the girls, claims that after the video criticising the theme park’s “bulls***” apology went viral on TikTok, her family has hired an attorney and plans to sue the business.
It was a “misunderstanding,” according to Sesame Place, and the mascot probably missed the youngster because of the costume’s cumbersome mask’s limited visibility.
The girl had been enjoying her birthday at the park.
However, numerous instances of Rosita seemingly ignoring other Black kids have since surfaced online.
B’Ivory LaMarr, the family’s lawyer, also disclosed to The Daily Beast that several families have contacted him over the character acting in a similar manner toward black youngsters.
In one video, while high-fiving adjacent white kids, Rosita appears to ignore a black boy who ran out to meet her during a procession.
In another, a little black girl waves at Rosita while stretching out her hand, but the character ignores her and instead hugs a white child who is standing next to her.
In other videos that are comparable, the Sesame Street figure appears to give preference to white kids in a mixed gathering.
Now, I’m not claiming #Rosita is racist, one person wrote in the caption.
But whatever is hiding behind these or those masks is definitely manipulating a group of brown children.
Last Sunday she neglected Lola TWICE. (7/10) Lola approached her and yelled, “ROSITA!”
The protagonist made a special effort to alter course and then hugged and took a photo with a little white girl. Look into this pattern.
Ben Crump, a well-known civil rights lawyer, said Thursday that the actor’s “disgusting behaviour” was “simply heartbreaking.”
After receiving a barrage of hate mail on social media, the park has since given in and announced plans to teach staff members against racial intolerance.
The two females in the first popular video were obviously perplexed, according to attorney LaMarr.
The entire family was under a great deal of stress.
Even after trying to speak with management but being ignored, the mother made an effort to explain racism to the little girls as they were being driven home from the park.
The family has a few requests, he added. They demand a formal, public apology.
They seek true, original products… Recognize what occurred, look into it, and take proper action.
He stated that although the family does not want to sue, they may do so if the park does not meet their expectations.
As a self-described “anti-racism trainer,” Ms. Mac, the aunt of the girls, was included in Essence Magazine’s list of 100 Woke Women in 2020.
She described the incident’s circumstances yesterday on TikTok.
If you haven’t heard, my great niece celebrated her fourth birthday with her pals and their parents at Sesame Place over the weekend, and it didn’t go well.
Mac continued by saying she was in contact with the adult she described as “the parent and aunt of the two tiny girls in the video,” who had allegedly travelled with the two children.
Mac explained that although they were part of a larger group, they were the only ones affected by the occurrence.
Mac claimed to have spoken to the woman, whom she identified only as “Jodie,” and that the family was furious over the altercation and intended to take legal action.
The following point Mac wanted to address was the release of more videos after this one became popular.
“I think we’re up to about six recordings that clearly depict Sesame Place actors disregarding black children and non-white youngsters while focusing on white children,” says the researcher.
Sesame Place issued a general apology to the family for their Saturday experience in the park, saying: “We genuinely regret to the family; we recognise that it’s not okay.”
“We are moving in the right direction.” We’re determined to make things right.
“We will provide training for our staff members so they can provide a more inclusive, equal, and enjoyable experience to our guests.”
‘Sesame Place has worked to promote the principles of respect, inclusivity, and belonging for more than 40 years.
We’re determined to do a better job of ensuring that kids and families visiting our parks feel unique, appreciated, and included.