A $25 million racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Sesame Place has been thrown out by a federal jury in Philadelphia. The controversy began in July 2022 when a viral video showed a character performer at the theme park appearing to ignore two young black children. The video sparked outrage on social media and led to allegations from 150 families about similar occurrences with performers at the park. The New York family involved in the initial incident claimed that the children experienced severe emotional distress due to the alleged treatment.
Sesame Place quickly responded to the incident, stating that the character performer did not intentionally ignore the girls and was devastated by the misunderstanding. The park explained that the “no” hand gesture seen in the video was in response to multiple requests from someone in the crowd, not directed at the children. The park announced that all staff would undergo bias training and review its practices following the incident. However, more families came forward with similar claims after the initial video, including a second incident where a black girl was allegedly snubbed by park employees dressed as characters.
A $25 million class-action lawsuit was filed against SeaWorld Parks, the owner of Sesame Place, for racial discrimination. The lawsuit claimed that a 5-year-old black girl was ignored by four characters at the park due to her race, while white customers were readily engaged with. The family involved in the initial video was not part of the class action suit. However, after a federal jury found SeaWorld Parks not liable for any wrongdoing, Sesame Place released a statement thanking the jury for their verdict. The park stated that they treat all guests equally and want everyone to feel welcomed and safe when visiting.
The lawsuit brought attention to the importance of creating inclusive experiences for guests at amusement parks. SeaWorld Parks committed to learning and improving to build a more inclusive experience for all guests. The company expressed pride in the role they play in creating lasting memories, especially for young guests. While the lawsuit may have been thrown out, it shed light on the need for continued efforts to address issues of bias and discrimination in public places. The incidents at Sesame Place serve as a reminder of the impact that small gestures and actions can have on individuals and the importance of fostering environments of acceptance and equality.
