Hi TummyGirl and fellow Dis'ers,
As a Black man, I too have been "on notice" when I visit the Disney Parks and Universal Studios. For my fellow Dis' who may not understand what the feeling of being on notice means. Most people have never had the experience of having had "The Talk" from parents or gut-wrenching feeling of having to give "The Talk" to a Black/Brown child/ young adult you love. The Talk is not about the Birds and the Bees, but how to ensure you come home safely every day. Black people are seen "differently", particularly Black men have been stereotyped as "aggressive" or angry. The Talk is a reminder to not raise your voice, to not reach in your pocket for your keys or mobile phone. To not be aggressive when a White family steps in front of you, completely blocking your view just at the start of the 3 o'clock Main Street Parade. When you politely mention to that family, that you were standing there since 1:59 PM respectfully waiting, and you ask why they stepped in front of you? The response is typical "Oh we did not see you standing there." Hard to miss a solid, six-foot-tall Black Man. I agree that some times the feeling of being a bit less comfortable on the Dinsey Transport busses heading back to the Resort at the end of a long park day can be a bit unnerving. The odd looks from certain children or their parents, based on their speech patterns/accent, one can perceive these families are not from New England, LOL.
Although many of my fellow Disney pals ( many of them are White) would never imagine how or why still love my time at Disney resorts/theme parks. No matter the number of times I was mistaken for a Luggage Bell boy, car park valet, or one time a bathroom cleaning Cast member. One experience did require Manager escalation while dining at Kimonos Japanese restaurant at the Swan. It was a simple matter of dining with a small party of five adults, I offered my "Tables in Wonderland" card and my credit card. My Cousin returned my credit card and he offered to use his card instead.
The wait staff returned to the table along with a "Jr" Manager who told me my Tables in Wonderland card would not be accepted, (using a very negative tone, accusing me of some wrongdoing.) The cast memeber continued saying "the credit card was not mine and the Table Discount could only be used with in the same family." I told the Castmembers "I am dining with my cousin and his wife." The Castmember said, "They don't look like you all are family." My cousin could not believe what he and his wife was witnessing. I quietly counted to ten. Then I asked for a SR Manager to come over. Eventually, a Sr Cast Member (who happened to be a White man) in a suit arrived. The entire story was recapped. The Sr Manager paused and asked me if I did not understand the "rules"? I replied, " how or why did the wait staff assume I was not dining with members of my family?" Then my cousin and his wife stood up and said, "It is because WE are WHITE, right?" LOL
My fellow Dis'ers two good things came out of that experience.
First; Disney modified the Tables in Wonderland policy for what constitutes a "Family" to now read "members/guests of the same dining party."
(All my fellow Table in Wonderland cardholders, you are welcome!)
The second good thing was it was a lesson for everyone. My own cousins never realized the kinds of crap Black/Brown people actually experience, the subtle systemic racism. Families come in all sizes and colors, but we must all be more sensitive, more compassionate for each other. Yes, Black and Brown people do love Disney too.
I am sharing a link to a short video about "The Talk" Please view and do not be afraid to comment. It is only through dialogue we can come together.
This second video is "The Look"
I hope you watch both videos, please share.
In peace and for the Love of things Disney, be well and stay safe. And wear your face mask if not for yourself, for the health of someone you care about.
). I like being able to travel to a place where for a little while, even though I know it's "make believe," everyone is all smiles and "how can I help yous." The reality, which you've given a glimpse of, is that as persons of color, even that magical experience has its limitations and not in the expected ways. I would expect to encounter a reality check if I were cutting in line or using, I don't know, flash photography. It's these what-should-be-normal moments when we are clearly and obviously discriminated against because of long-held assumptions and long-standing ignorance, that should serve as notice to others that we are treated differently. I have found, too, with white family members and friends, that even they sometimes do not clearly see what we experience until they are there with us on the "other side."
