Disney Rabbit Racist? Family Sues Amusement Park Alleging Racial Discrimination
A family from San Diego has filed a lawsuit against the popular family amusement park Disneyland, claiming that an employee dressed as the White Rabbit - the popular character from Alice in Wonderland - is racist.
The family was enjoying their time at the famed amusement park in Anaheim last August when their 6- year-old son, Jason Black Jr., went up to the character to have his picture taken.
"I went to hug him but he turned his back," Jason told FOX News. "It's made me feel sad because I wanted to really hug him."
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The employee in the costume also allegedly refused to hold the hand of his older brother, Elijah, after he attempted to hold the employees hand. The employee continually refused and at one point pushed Elijah's hand away, according to the suit.
The children's father, Jason LeRoy Black Sr., at first had thought that the amusement park had enacted a new policy that prevented the employees in costume from making contact with the children and went about with his family.
However, Black noticed that as the family began to walk away from the White Rabbit, he noticed that two other children, who happened to be white, were hugging and playing with the same character while they posed for pictures.
After witnessing the difference in treatment Black filed a complaint with the park and was offered VIP passes for their troubles, but the offer was refused.
Black then decided to file a discrimination lawsuit against Disneyland, insisting that the employee in the White Rabbit costume discriminated against them for the sole reason that they are black.
Dan Gilleon, an attorney representing the family, revealed that the Black family is not seeking a financial settlement, but would like an apology from the park and for the employee to be terminated.
"They're not trying to get something they don't deserve," Gilleon told KUSI. "In fact all they've asked for is a little bit of recognition that this should not have happened."
Representatives from Disney have yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
