Photo: Getty Images
The Chuck E. Cheese mascot is the latest costumed employee to be accused of racial discrimination for snubbing Black children.
On Saturday (July 30), New Jersey mother Natyana Muhammad posted a now-viral video of a Chuck E. Cheese character greeting white children but seemingly ignoring her two-year-old Black daughter.
"In the video, there were a bunch of Caucasian children who were there on stage that received a high five," Muhammad told ABC7 of the video posted on Twitter. "My Black child was the one being ignored."
The two-year-old was invited to a birthday party at the Chuck E. Cheese in Wayne, New Jersey.
However, when she went to receive a high five from the mascot like all the other children, the Black toddler was left hanging.
"When she turned around she was excited to see him, she saw that he was giving all the other kids high fives," Muhammad said. "She put her hand out. It was her turn. He just put his hand in and down acting like he didn't see her."
"She even went around him to continuously give him a high five, like OK, do you see my hand," Muhammad continued. "It's not just that he ignored my daughter, we were at a birthday party so he didn't acknowledge the table we were at either."
Video of the incident has garnered nearly 80,000 likes on Twitter.
The mother also tweeted that the manager “made excuses” for the alleged snub.
"Gave the onsite management the opportunity to apologize when she said, 'I'm sorry you feel that way,' Was that the apology?" Muhammad said.
After Muhammad complained to management, they arranged a photo with the mascot and her daughter, the mother added.
"Her demeanor changed from she was excited, happy, jumping, high five - to when it was time to take a picture, just stood right beside him," Muhammad said. "I hugged her, told her that she would never have to beg for love because she is loved by many."
Chuck E. Cheese released the following statement regarding the incident.
"Chuck E. Cheese is saddened when any family or child has a less than perfect experience. We want to thank the family who brought this to our attention at our Wayne, NJ location and for giving the onsite manager an opportunity to apologize and address their concerns in person. As home to millions of families and kids every year that celebrate the big and small milestones, including fun, our goal is to create an inclusive experience for children and parents of all ages, races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, and learning differences. Our mission is to provide a fun and a safe place Where A Kid Can Be A Kid, and all cast members are trained to ensure that we live up to this promise."
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