A family has filed a lawsuit against the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, Calif. after an employee dressed as “The Rabbit” from Alice In Wonderland allegedly refused to hug their children because they were Black.
Jason Black Jr., 6, says he was denied a hug from his favorite character from the classic Disney film while other White children were given the opportunity to embrace him.
“I went to hug him but he turned his back,” Jason told Fox 40. “It’s made me feel sad because I wanted to really hug him.” His older brother Elijah Black, 9, says he also received the same treatment from The Rabbit.
“The Rabbit was turning his back on [Jason] like he didn’t want to touch him,” Elijah explained. “Then I went up and tried to hold his hand but he kept flicking my hand off.”
Since the incident, parents Jason Leroy Black Sr. and Annelia Black have exchanged correspondence with Disney and were asked to sign a confidentiality waiver in exchange for $500. Instead, the family has hired an attorney to help terminate the employee and has demanded an apology from Disney for discrimination.
“They’re not trying to get something they don’t deserve,” said their attorney Dan Gilleon. “In fact all they’ve asked for is a little bit of recognition that this should not have happened.”
Jason Sr. wants to see to it that this never happens to another child.
He added, “It’s about the principle and what are you going to do to make the situation better so this doesn’t happen to another family.”
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