Sesame Place is in hot water.
The Frontline’s communications director, Leslie Mack, posted a video on social media about how a four-year-old girl and a friend (both black children) were ignored by a performer in a Rosita costume when the children reached out for high-fives and hugs. The performer did wave to the visitors standing around the children.
#BabyPaige and her sweet friends went to @SesamePlace this weekend to celebrate Paige’s 4th birthday and here’s how #SesamePlace treated these beautiful black kids. I’m HOT. pic.twitter.com/wATjpRzUF1
— Leslie Mac (@LeslieMac) July 17, 2022
The girl’s mother posted the video on Instagram.
Many dismissed the incident as an unintentional mistake until similar videos of characters ignoring black children surfaced on social media.
Sesame Place issued a statement to social media this past weekend saying they had spoken with the family, apologized and invited them back to the park. However, Mac says the conversation never took place.
THEY DID NOT INVITE THE CHILDREN BACK FOR NOTHING. This statement is the first and only time the family has heard of this offer, and Sesame Place has cut off email communication. The whole claim is a lie.
— Leslie Mac (@LeslieMac) July 18, 2022
Sesame Workshop, a licensed partner of Sesame Place, said in a statement on social media: “We are in contact with Sesame Place, our licensed park partner, and they have assured us that they will conduct bias training and a thorough review of the ways in which they engage with families and guests.”
pic.twitter.com/ObonXOniKZ
— Sesame Workshop (@SesameWorkshop) July 18, 2022
The children’s theme park followed up with its own statement on social media. “We sincerely apologize to the family for their experience at our park on Saturday; we know it’s wrong. We will conduct training for our employees so that they better understand, recognize and provide an inclusive, fair and fun experience for our guests.”
Several celebrities and dignitaries reacted to the incident.
This is absolutely HEARTBREAKING! 💔 These two young queens do NOT deserve to be rudely isolated and ignored by this #SesameStreet character! @SesamePlace NEEDS to address the disgusting behavior of their staff! 🎥: IG/__jodiii__ pic.twitter.com/07shnhEGvM
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) July 18, 2022
Singer Kelly Rowland expressed her opinion on social media.
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