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Disney Character Allegedly Ignores a Black Child in Viral Video

Theme parks everywhere should be places that are inclusive for Guests of all ages and backgrounds, but unfortunately, recent incidents of racism have been changing this perception over the course of the past year or so.

While the incidents involving multiple characters at Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA have been at the center of racial discrimination discussions at theme parks, videos have continued to resurface since the summer showing alleged racist experiences from Parks across the country.

In one of the latest videos to go viral, TikTok user @karenlivesmatter2019 has reshared a video that may show a Disney character pushing a Black child aside:

@karenlivesmatter2019

RACIST DISNEY WORKER PUSHES AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILD!! ? @disney #shameonyou #whereisthelove #endracism #disney #racist #karenbeingakaren #crazykaren #kareninthewild #fypã‚·ã‚šviral #fypã‚·ã‚šviral?tiktok #fypã‚·ã‚šviral?video #fyp #foryou #fypã‚· #foryoupage #karen #karens #karensoftiktok #karensgoingwild #karensgonecrazy #karenlivesmatter #karensinthewild #karenseverywhere www.karenlivesmatter.ca

♬ original sound – KARENLIVESMATTER.CA

The latest viral video could be recorded much earlier and only resurfaced now while social media is focusing on similar incidents, as it is difficult to say when exactly the interaction above took place. Regardless, its place as a viral social media video follows another incident that did take place earlier this year in which a Guest alleged that Rapunzel at Disneyland ignored her children who were Black.

It is possible that in the case of Eeyore in the video above, the character simply did not see the child as the Cast Members who are friends with characters may have a difficult time seeing where they are walking. Comments to the video expressed empathy both for the children and for the Cast Member who could be wrongfully accused of racism if the interaction were actually an unfortunate mistake.

Disneyland Resort Castle

Credit: Jae C. Hong/Deadline

The poster did tag Disney’s official accounts in the video, however it is unlikely that the company will respond, at least publicly to something like this given past incidents (racial and otherwise) of Guests demanding action on social media. In this case, the unknown date that the incident took place and not knowing the Guests who were actually involved in the video could also make this one difficult to respond to.

disney-world-characters-mickey-mouse

Credit: Disney

Though not the direct result of videos like this one, Disney has made Inclusion the Fifth Key to a Great Guest Experience, and the company has been working toward more diverse representation in a number of projects recently, including the overhaul of Splash Mountain into a new attraction inspired by The Princess and the Frog (2009) and Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel in the upcoming Little Mermaid movie, just to name a few.

Still, if videos like this one are still making the rounds on social media, there remains work to do in creating a truly inclusive environment for all, and we will continue to monitor news on Disney’s work toward increased representation and inclusion here on Disney Tips.

About Brittany DiCologero

Brittany is a New England-based writer focused on the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. She is the author of "Red, White, and Disney: The Myths and Reality of American History at the Walt Disney World Resort," and "Brittany Earns Her Ears."