Sesame Place Racial Discrimination Allegations – Everything We Know About The Controversy 

Sesame Place Racial Discrimination Allegations – Everything We Know About The Controversy

More evidence supporting alleged claims that children’s amusement park Sesame Place is racially biased towards Black children has come to surface.

As we previously reported, a video from an upset parent who experienced the alleged racism has garnered mass media attention.

Kelly Rowland

R&B songstress Kelly Rowland is one of many who have publicly condemned the theme park worker’s actions caught on video. Since the clip has gone viral, more parents who claim to have similar experiences have come forward sharing their stories.

Following instagram user __jodiii__ posting the initial video of her two young daughter’s being passed up for hugs at the parade, Sesame Place issued an explanation and apology. In a statement posted to their instagram page, they wrote:

“Our brand, our park and our employees stand for inclusivity and equality in all forms. That is what Sesame Place is about and we do not tolerate any behaviors in our parks that are contrary to that commitment. We also are, and have always been, committed to making sure every family and every child has the best possible experience at our parks and we are incredibly disappointed when that does not happen.”

They continued:

“The performer portraying the Rosita character has confirmed that the ‘no’ hand gesture seen several times in the video was not directed to 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….We apologize to theses guests for not delivering the experience they expected and we commit to do our best to earn their and all guests’ visit and support.”

However, Sesame Place continued to receive backlash as many users felt the response was unsatisfactory to the problem at hand. Additionally, more users began sharing videos of more Black children being passed up and harassed at different Sesame events, adding more speculation that an underlying racial issue does in fact exist.

Me & Rosita running the fade of you do my baby like this… pic.twitter.com/EXITzYHUyh

— My Hair Longer Than Yours… (@_TheShawn) July 18, 2022

So what is going on at sesame place?? Even the parents noticed what was happening. Racism all up in that place #SesamePlace #sesamestreet #rosita #racism pic.twitter.com/elUYI0DYtZ

— harmonyyy . ? (@harmonyyy19) July 18, 2022

In one video, a young Black toddler is literally pushed to the ground by one character, who runs at the child until she falls over.

What the hell is going on with the staff at Sesame Place @SesamePlace ? pic.twitter.com/jlsAJJPQfP

— Tariq Nasheed ?? (@tariqnasheed) July 18, 2022

Somebody just sent this to my DM on Instagram about the #SesamePlace ????? don’t know them from a can of paint pic.twitter.com/7aScg7zLnN

— Hannibal Thompson (@_HannibalT) July 19, 2022

Another shows a Sesame character giving high fives to kids in the crowd who appear to be white, and then offering a light face slap to a young Black girl at the end of the row.

So we air slapping black children now? And pushing black children? Yea your done sesame place! #SesamePlace #sesamestreet #racist pic.twitter.com/n5s3XgMw0b

— harmonyyy . ? (@harmonyyy19) July 19, 2022

Since more alarming videos have come forward, Sesame Place has issued another statement. Vowing to have staff members undergo inclusivity training, the Philadelphia based theme park wrote:

“We sincerely apologize to the family for their experience in our park on Saturday; we know that it’s not ok. We are taking actions to do better. We are committed to making this right. We will conduct training for our employees so they better understand, recognize and deliver an inclusive, equitable and entertaining experience to our guests.”

Then continued:

“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.”

It is unclear at this time if the any of the parents or the mother who posted the original video has come to agreeable ground with Philly theme park. We will continue to update as more on the story unfolds.