Chuck E. Cheese mascot intentionally ‘ignored my black baby,’ mother says – The Washington Post

As the bipedal, sneaker-wearing mouse and pizza chain mascot approached, Safa stopped jumping and held up her right hand to receive one of the high-fives Chuck E. was giving out. He high-fived one, two, three, four other children onstage before turning, lowering his head and appearing to look toward Safa, who excitedly pointed at him.Safa’s mother, Natyana Muhammad, captured the exchange in a 15-second clip that had racked up 3.6 million views on Twitter by early Thursday. Muhammad claims the employee playing Chuck E. Cheese on July 30 at the franchise in Wayne, N.J., “racially discriminated” against her daughter, giving out high-fives to several White children before they “PURPOSELY ignored my black baby.” In a tweet, she said that the employee ignored her when she confronted them and that the manager working that day “made excuses” about what happened to her daughter.Chuck E. Cheese did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Washington Post early Thursday, but in a statement to NJ.com, the company said it is “saddened” when customers like the Muhammads have “a less than perfect experience.” Chuck E. Cheese thanked the Muhammad family for alerting it to what happened and giving the restaurant manager a chance to apologize and “address their concerns in person.”“Our goal is to create an inclusive experience for children and parents of all ages, races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, and learning differences,” the statement said. “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.”“Her demeanor changed from — she was excited, happy, jumping, high-five — to when it was time to take a picture, just stood beside him,” Muhammad said, imitating how her daughter became physically closed off.