As much as we love Sesame Street, Rosita has some explaining to do. While one Muppet snubbing is more than enough, it looks like there have been repeated offenses. It might be acceptable from some characters, endearing even — maybe The Count hit his wave quota or The Grouch was just in a trashy mood. But the disrespect from characters who canonically don’t have a penchant for such behavior will be the basis for a class action law suit.
Attorney Malcolm Ruff said Kennedi was ignored “among a sea of white children” who the characters interacted with instead. The lawsuit, according to Ruff, was filed on behalf of any other Black family or person who believes they were discriminated against at Sesame Place.
“Kennedi was forced to experience racism at the age of 5,” Ruff said. They are seeking $25M in damages, and Ruff urged other families who have been feel they have been discriminated against to come forward. Attorney Billy Murphy explained to reporters that the lawsuit is based on Section 1981 of the U.S. Code, which he says protects against a breach of contract based on race.
“We’re here to make sure that justice is done to the families who did not have the experience at that park that they paid to get,” Murphy said. “And the reason they didn’t get the experience they paid and contracted to get is because of their race.”
Few things speak to the value of equity and inclusion like a $25M deduction. While the outcomes of this suit are unknown — it did just start after all — I hope that this will signpost to actors interacting with children that if kindness and common decency aren’t enough to encourage them to interact politely with the children hoping to get a wave from their favorite characters, the promise of having to explain to your next employer why you cost your last job $25M might do the trick.
Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s. He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who cannot swim, a published author on critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email at cwilliams@abovethelaw.com and by tweet at @WritesForRent.
