Kelly Rowland was among many over the weekend who took to social media to slam Sesame Place theme park in Philadelphia over an incident Saturday (July 16) that seemingly depicted two Black children being intentionally ignored by Sesame Street characters during a parade.
As seen in the now-viral clip (posted inside), two young Black girls motioned to get the attention of one of the muppets who not only disregarded them but went to high-five a white child.
Sparking outrage among viewers, look inside to see what Kelly said and how Sesame Place responded to the hoopla.
Posting the clip to her Instagram Story, the Destiny’s Child alum wrote, “TF! This just made me So mad!” Elaborating, Rowland – a mom of two – didn’t mince words about her feelings about the controversial incident.
“OK so, had that been me, that whole parade would have been in flames,” she told her 13.4 million IG followers Sunday (July 17). “Like, are you serious? You’re not going to speak to my child? And did you see that baby’s face at the end? The little one with the pink on? She deserves an explanation. Hello.”
As shares of the video reached viral status, Sesame Place released a statement to defend the performer in the costume.
“Our brand, our park and our employees stand for inclusivity and equality in all forms. That is what Sesame Place is all about and we do not tolerate any behaviors in our parks that are contrary to that commitment. Regarding the incident yesterday, the costumes our performers wear sometimes make it difficult to see at lower levels and sometimes our performers miss hug requests from guests.”
Elsewhere in the statement, they said the character “did not intentionally ignore the girls and is devastated about the misunderstanding.” To remedy the situation, they invited the family back for a “special meet-and-greet opportunity.”
At writing, it is unknown if the family accepted the offer. While awaiting an official response, Sesame Place issued another statement – this time in the form of an apology. Read it below.
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It is true that those costumes make it difficult to have a full regular vision.
So let’s not jump to conclusions there.
Could be… or not. Quite impossible to say so.
He didn’t want to touch them! Saying the girls had misbehaved without proof is wrong. I hope the company act on their statement and make the park inclusive for all.
Well, I’m guessing if their smells are unpleasant then nobody is gonna touch them right? Will you? Hunnie💅🏾🤳🏽
😂🤣🤡😂🤣🤡😂🤣🤡😂🤣🤡😂
Tell em ashy kids, gurl bye. Diva loves it 😂🤣💅🏾💋
He didn’t “intentionally ignore” then. He shook his finger at them to say no. They may have misbehaved in some way, who knows? Everyone is always so quick to jump to “racist” conclusions 🤦🏽♀️
There are multiple videos of the same puppet ignoring black children. Seems you’re ignoring the evidence
Ignoring evidence? How ironic.
You don’t say that when a black man is shot by a white cop with JUST CAUSE.
Amen, Shayla Queen™ 👑 you are correct.
Exactly! Go Shayla Queen! Well said 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
misbehaved??? the kids their arms out to get a hug or just to touch- What the hell are you talking about. Its clear as day what happened and alll the other similar videos circulating proves that.
RIGHT! It was a parade, maybe that character was out of time and personally visiting with additional children was not an option! MAYBE THERE WAS A “I’m sorry I have to go” with that finger wave directed to those kids! AL OF THIS IS BASED ON 5 seconds of video with no sound or what led up to this incident. Had the kids pulled at previous characters costumes? I find it hard to believe that these girls denied in the fashion stated. 1 person yells racism and others are quick to jump on that wagon all based on 5 seconds of no sound video 😡
I dont think it was a racist think maybe somthing happend beforei think celebreties this days have to be very careful if you dont know the whole story dont make somthing up. Before he said noo to the black gitls he said no to one person who stand before them sooo Kelly calm down
“That whole parade would have been in flames.” Inciting this type of s**** should be an arrestable offence. Kelly knows what she’s doing by posting words like that.
More stuff needs to be burned down anyway 😋
Typical black thought process. Look at Africa. You destroy everything. Including yourselves and each other.
Learn history, Africa isn’t in the position its in due to black ppl it’s due to white ppl. They still control Africa most African countries are under the pact for continuation of colonization. Reading is fundamental.
You learn history. Africans still to this day enslave, r*** and sell their own.
Teach them lazy 𝖇𝖎𝖙𝖈𝖍 𝖆𝖘𝖘 cry babies about the great Anthony Johnson.
It’s not clear why the actor shook their finger ‘no,’ but there are more videos on TikTok of other black children not being acknowledged when they’re standing right next to white children who get a hug, high five, etc.
That written statement was a load of BULLSHIIIIIIT! You can clearly see that stank ass character looking at them and ignoring them! So sad that racism is directed at children 😔 The NERVE of that statement…hard to see? FOOL, your whole target audience is little kids! You shouldn’t be looking anywhere else but DOWN! DUH! FCK Stank Place lol 😂 Those kids were polite and ASKED for a hug…they didn’t grab the character or anything…SAD!
Ignoring? He shook his finger to say no.
You a stupid fagggggot
You’re a ugly nobody lmaooooooooooooo 😂🤣
The acts that I’ve seen on video were very intentional. It’s crazy considering Sesame Street was created specifically for Black & minority children in urban areas. They need to do better.
Ugh they make a big deal about everything and its always race related💅🏾😒 they have the right to do or not doing it
That single mom should take her children to Ghettoland where they can see the clowns doing black-on-black crime. That is where the real injustice is.
💯😂🤣 or taking em to Black church to see Black Jesus 💅🏾
The made-up Jesus lol.
I don’t think it’s racist maybe whoever just hating kids💅🏾 Diva has the same problem actually. Just like y’all don’t expect all celebrities will sign autographs or hug you when y’all greeting them💋🤳🏽
all kinds of bs statements from the company while the perpetrator still has a job.
Ugh irrational people like you that are targeting a muppet😩smh y’all just love to make a big deal about everything and its always race related…💅🏾 Y’all just mad..
Paula from the UK talks a load of 𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕥.
irrational is when you conflate being a muppet with an actor playing a muppet and when you defend discrimination in the provision of services to an audience as ok. but ofc when you’re an expired c** guzzling troll the stds will cause brain damage sooner or later.
What bothers me with this whole story, is that people focus on the skin color.
If he had done that to white kids, he would have been called out rude and that’s it.
So maybe he didn’t see them. Or he was being rude regardless of the ethnicity.
Or maybe he has that kind of behavior repeatedly… you can’t jump to conclusions watching a video that lasts a few seconds.
you’re ill informed. there are videos on instagram of other black kids being ignored or treated rudely by the same costume/character.
Then that’s a whole other story…!
How do we even know that the guy in the costume is white? What if he’s black? Or Chinese? Or Bengali?
Doesn’t matter! There’s clear discrimination going on. It’s on video. Several videos for that matter.
You have to be a “predatory” individual to deliberately hurt/bully a small child or an animal. People like this are primitive and suffer from anti-social behavior. These sorta ppl are also more prone to violence and depression.
And rightfully so. Mental Health is the great equalizer and some ppl deserve to suffer until the very end.