Disney in hot water again over character interaction or lack there of!!

[donaldlovesdaisy]

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013...eyland-character-refused-to-touch-their-kids/

Disneyland after the actor who portrayed the White Rabbit character from “Alice in Wonderland” allegedly refused to hug or touch their children because of their skin color.

Jason and Annelia Black of San Diego County said the person in the rabbit costume also acted impatiently as their young kids posed for a picture at the Anaheim theme park.

The Black’s, however, said it was a different scene when a Caucasian family arrived.


(credit: CBS)
“There were two other kids that came up. The rabbit showered them. Hugged them, kissed them, posed with them, and took pictures. Meanwhile, that made my kids feel horrible,” said Jason.

 

[lizabu]

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/02/06/black-family-claims-disneyland-character-refused-to-touch-their-kids/

Wow! I'm hoping that rabbit has an explanation. Because if what they're saying happened for the reasons they say I'm not too impressed.

 

[java]

Wow! Offered just $500 and asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. That stinks. I sure hope there is more to the story.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

I am not sure what the explanation could be however I would love to hear it.

 

[luvmy3]

How do they know its because the color of their skin? Those CMs have to read the body language of the people they interact with, it cant always be easy. In the photo the kid is standing there with his arms folded, maybe the rabbit thought he didn't want to be touched. Maybe the white kids ran up to him with open arms Not enough info for me to base an opinion, I don't automatically believe its a case of racism because someone claims it is.

 

[dominiondad]

I wasn't there, so I have no idea what actually happened, but I know there are often two sides to a story. Two quick thoughts:
1. I have observed on multiple occasions families approach a character from the side, not realizing there was a line. When the CM stopped the family, the family appears confused, hurt, and upset, even when, in my opinion, they have no right to be. I don't beleive these families were intentionally trying to cut the line, but rather just oblivious to their surroundings. It's entirely possible this was the scenario in this story.
2. My DD was once in line to meet Goofy. When it was her turn, Goofy reached out to take her autograph book. The CM suddenly stepped in between them and hustled Goofy away. My DD was upset and I was less than thrilled. We redirected my DD to the next event and the incident was soon forgotten. We later learned that the CMs were told there was lightning in the area and to get the characters indoors. Perfectly understandable and reasonable. It never once crossed my mind that race was an issue.

 

[happygirl]

How do they know its because the color of their skin? Those CMs have to read the body language of the people they interact with, it cant always be easy. In the photo the kid is standing there with his arms folded, maybe the rabbit thought he didn't want to be touched. Maybe the white kids ran up to him with open arms Not enough info for me to base an opinion, I don't automatically believe its a case of racism because someone claims it is.

I agree

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

How do they know its because the color of their skin? Those CMs have to read the body language of the people they interact with, it cant always be easy. In the photo the kid is standing there with his arms folded, maybe the rabbit thought he didn't want to be touched. Maybe the white kids ran up to him with open arms Not enough info for me to base an opinion, I don't automatically believe its a case of racism because someone claims it is.

Agree with this. Also, as far as White Rabbit acting impatient, well, he is White Rabbit. He is supposed to be in a hurry with places to be.

I'm not going to cry racism or assume the worst until more of this story comes out.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

How do they know its because the color of their skin? Those CMs have to read the body language of the people they interact with, it cant always be easy. In the photo the kid is standing there with his arms folded, maybe the rabbit thought he didn't want to be touched. Maybe the white kids ran up to him with open arms Not enough info for me to base an opinion, I don't automatically believe its a case of racism because someone claims it is.

Actually that is a really good point I didn't even think of it that way. I guess we have become a society that is all to quick to villianze people without hearing the whole story!

 

[luvmy3]

Agree with this. Also, as far as White Rabbit acting impatient, well, he is White Rabbit. He is supposed to be in a hurry with places to be.
I'm not going to cry racism or assume the worst until more of this story comes out.

Excellent point

 

[dominiondad]

deleted

 

[Jennasis]

Idiotic claims like this are going to ruin it for the rest of us. I foresee a future without Meet-n-Greets, or at least Meet-N-Greets without ANY touching or autograph signing. The character will be standing behind a barrier and the kids will stand in front and wave.

 

[akhenaten]

Agree with this. Also, as far as White Rabbit acting impatient, well, he is White Rabbit. He is supposed to be in a hurry with places to be.

I'm not going to cry racism or assume the worst until more of this story comes out.

Lol... The white rabbit impatient? ... That's the first thing I thought too.. Do they not know the story? I'm late.. No time to say hello good bye...lol

Maybe they are prejudice against the white rabbit? Lol. Joking!!!!!

 

[padams]

I don't think they are familiar with the story line and the white rabbit character.

 

[Ginny Favers]

I have only one syllable for this: Grrr.

 

[design_mom]

How do they know its because the color of their skin? Those CMs have to read the body language of the people they interact with, it cant always be easy. In the photo the kid is standing there with his arms folded, maybe the rabbit thought he didn't want to be touched. Maybe the white kids ran up to him with open arms Not enough info for me to base an opinion, I don't automatically believe its a case of racism because someone claims it is.

I agree here. We've never had the personal level of character interaction that some people seem to get (high-fives, hugs, "conversations" with the characters, etc.) The Blacks level of interaction seems similar to what we get (we're white). I think it must have more to do with my kids' body language than anything else. They like to get a photo now and then, but they are not character hounds. Admittedly, I do sometimes look at other families and wonder what they're doing differently, but as long as I get a decent picture, I'm satisfied.

In another situation, we were at a parade where the characters/performers often interact with people along the parade route. Throughout the parade, there were several performers who appeared to be coming up to my daughter (eye contact, big smile, the whole bit), then abruptly changed course at the last minute and interacted with someone else. I can only imagine that something on DD's face changed to "don't come any closer!" and the cast members were trained not to push it. I was kind of bummed because I would have loved for her to have that experience... but I have seen that look from DD before.

There is enough of a diverse population at Disneyland and WDW that I can't imagine that an employee could get by with refusing to serve people of a different skin color.

 

[TDC Nala]

OK they're suing Disneyland because the character didn't hug their kids, but did hug another kid while they watched. Assuming it's a racial thing.

If it doesn't just get dismissed or settled, can see this resulting in either characters are required to at least make an attempt to hug every kid, or not hug ANY kids. I'm not big on character greetings but from watching Darth Vader greet guests at WDW it's apparent that the performer has been instructed not to touch anyone. Of course the Dark Lord isn't a cuddly fuzzy character.

As for acting "impatiently," that's what the White Rabbit does.

 

[focusondisney]

Oh please. The 2 "white kids" seem to be a quite bit younger than the 2 "black kids". The suing family seemed to have an adolescent & young teen, who are usually satisfied with a quick picture. Characters often give more attention to younger kids. Nothing wrong with that.

And how did the media get pictures of the "white" family?? The suing family got their pictures & then hung around taking pictures of another family with the character? Then ran to Guest Services to complain? Saw the mother wiping away tears at the end of ther story too. Really? Worth crying over?? Seems to me to be a family out to make a quick buck off Disney. I hope they get laughed out of court.

 

[smkiya]

Oh please. The 2 "white kids" seem to be a quite bit younger than the 2 "black kids". The suing family seemed to have an adolescent & young teen, who are usually satisfied with a quick picture. Characters often give more attention to younger kids. Nothing wrong with that.

And how did the media get pictures of the "white" family?? The suing family got their pictures & then hung around taking pictures of another family with the character? Then ran to Guest Services to complain? Saw the mother wiping away tears at the end of ther story too. Really? Worth crying over?? Seems to me to be a family out to make a quick buck off Disney. I hope they get laughed out of court.

I wasn't there so I really can't comment as to whether their claim is valid or not. Possibly not, but we really don't know for sure. I think many of the other posters make very valid points, and it sounds like the family misinterpreted the interaction.

As for the bolded... Being a victim of racism hurts A LOT, and yes some people cry when it happens to them, reagardless of how "small" you think the act of racism was.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

Remember, too, that the characters most likely cannot feel anything inside their costumes, either. If the child hugged the white rabbit, say around his stomach, it is entirely possible that the CM had no idea the child was looking for a hug, as they cannot feel it. And, if the CM happened to be looking at the Mom for a camera, it's possible he/she didn't see it, either.

I'm sorry, but there is absolutely no possible way that anybody can claim it is discrimination based on their experience vs. that of one white family.