Diversity Snubbed
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sesame-place-video-performer-black-children-ignore/
This story hurts my heart. It has taken on a life of its own since it broke a week ago. Two little black girls get snubbed while they were waiting for a hug from a character at Sesame Place. Despite assertions from the park operators, it was not a misunderstanding. Multiple videos from different angles showed that the character went on to pose for pictures with white children. Other minority families are coming forward to tell similar stories.
I am an individual with a disability. Incidents of prejudice of any kind upset me. These incidents at Sesame Place are completely fixable. That’s what hurts my heart. Sesame Street the television show has always proudly championed issues of tolerance and diversity. It has featured human performers and characters from very diverse backgrounds from day 1. What is the breakdown in the theme parks?
Unfortunately, civil rights laws don’t regulate attitude. If you are in a job that involves greeting the public, and you can’t stand to be pictured with diverse children, then do something else. The individual was in costume of a bi-lingual Muppet. I am sure that I am not the only one who sees the irony. The performer’s face does not show when the costume is being worn.
Some years at the same site, Sesame Place apologized when a child with a disability was asked to leave. Since then, the park has made efforts to accommodate Autistic children, but I also found comments from parents that the area along the parade route that is designed for disabled access fills up with non-disabled children and families. Staff does nothing to assist.
July is a critical month for Civil Rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed on July 2, 1964. That means that we are at 58 years and counting. The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed on July 26, 1990. This week marks the 32nd anniversary of the ADA.
Training is needed. But I am not sure it will be enough. A while back, I started taking a series of diversity training sessions. The series of sessions I took did not have a dedicated module on disability. Depending on the source, I found studies that say 90% or less of corporate diversity programs even mention disability. I worked with my employer’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team, and we put together a panel discussion of the significance of the ADA. It ran this week. It was sparsely attended.
When the Sesame Place incident happened, it reinforced that DEI focus, training, policy and practice is something that should not be ignored. To me, inclusion means receiving an invitation, but being able to fully participate is what builds belonging. In the area of belonging, we still have a long way to go.
