Disney World accused of racial profiling after it bans black football players

[snopes]

Disney World is being accused of discrimination after four black teenagers -- incoming freshmen members of the Florida State football team -- were banned for life because security guards accused them of loitering at the Orlando, Fla., theme park.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline...-world-ac.html

[Ryda Wong, EBfCo.]

Now, having had experience with football players from both FSU and UF, I tend to view them with suspicion.

But loitering at Disney World? Isn't that kinda what you do at Disney World?

[STF]

Originally Posted by Ryda Wong, EBfCo.

Now, having had experience with football players from both FSU and UF, I tend to view them with suspicion.

But loitering at Disney World? Isn't that kinda what you do at Disney World?

I agree on both accounts.

Especially as it relates to the Criminoles.

[hambubba]

Aren't "incoming freshmen" high school graduates that haven't gone to college yet?

::remove spin:: 18 year old black males were told to leave because they were loitering.

This is one of those cases that will be hard to prove either way. My guess is the "ban for life" came as a response to how they handled being kicked out.

[rangerdog]

Originally Posted by Ryda Wong, EBfCo.

Now, having had experience with football players from both FSU and UF, I tend to view them with suspicion.

But loitering at Disney World? Isn't that kinda what you do at Disney World?

My EXACT thoughts. So...spanked...by Ryda!

Now BANNED FOR LIFE! Is that like "Its going to be on your permanent record?"

Lifetime presents: Banninated For Life: The Mental Scarring of Future Florida State Footballers, or How Disney Supports the University of Florida.

Amazing, simply amazing. The more crap that happens like this just makes me shake my head even more.

[Mickey is a gyrl]

This is a really iffy case. I've found a few more articles, too.


Here's one, and another.

But they were all written from the kids' and their parents points of view. I'd like to see details about what Disney says about it. But being banned for life for loitering? That's out of control.

[Dr. Dave]

So, if FSU gets invited to the Citrus Bowl (or whatever they call it now), these guys can't do the mill around WDW photo-op day thing?

[snopes]

The four Florida State University football prospects who were kicked out of Downtown Disney for loitering and banned for life from Walt Disney World can now come back.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,5458100.story

[moonfall]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dave

So, if FSU gets invited to the Citrus Bowl (or whatever they call it now), these guys can't do the mill around WDW photo-op day thing?

I highly doubt that will happen any time soon. *smirk*

What's "loitering" at Disneyworld anyway? Waiting too long outside Space Mountain without going in? With the thousands of folks who go to Disneyworld every day (been there 3 times; it's always packed), I doubt the people at the front gates have "Wanted"-type posters with pictures of people who are banned for life. This whole thing is stupid.

[LtColCarter]

Disney waffles

[LtColCarter]

Okay, according to the last article, these boys are not incoming freshmen at Florida State, they are all 17 years old and going to be seniors in high school this fall, and have agreements to attend FSU in the fall of 2008.

They were "loitering" at Downtown Disney, not in the park itself. While I don't approve of any racial profiling, I could see why Disney wouldn't want their "family friendly" area of restaurants, shops, etc. to become a hangout for a bunch of unsupervised teenagers.

I just wish I knew what exactly occurred when they were approached by security - what exactly they were doing and what their "inappropriate" responses were. Until I know that, I can't really form an opinion as to whether or not their expulsion was fair.

[Eve MG]

Originally Posted by moonfall

What's "loitering" at Disneyworld anyway? Waiting too long outside Space Mountain without going in? With the thousands of folks who go to Disneyworld every day (been there 3 times; it's always packed), I doubt the people at the front gates have "Wanted"-type posters with pictures of people who are banned for life. This whole thing is stupid.

Well the later articles said it happened at Downtown Disney, which is roughly a big shopping plaza. The first article Mickey linked said:

In trying to rid Downtown Disney of loitering teens -- and possible street-gang members -- Walt Disney World is wrestling with a dilemma faced for years by shopping malls, movie theaters and other semi-public places operated by private businesses.

I remember getting spoken to by a security guard in the mall for just hanging out when I was a teenager, so in some ways it's nothing new. Although if it's a racial issue, that is a big deal. And the 45 out of 46 number is interesting.

ETA: LtCC beat me to it!

[snopes]

Mickey Mouse a racist?

That question has burned up airwaves in wake of the recent Walt Disney World crackdown on loitering at Downtown Disney that disproportionately has stung minority teens.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...6457200.column

[Little Pink Pill]

Originally Posted by snopes

That question has burned up airwaves in wake of the recent Walt Disney World crackdown on loitering at Downtown Disney that disproportionately has stung minority teens.

I kept waiting for the article to give us statistics or facts, but they never presented evidence of some sort of Disney manifesto to boot minority teens or any reason to believe the crackdown is based on color, rather than behavior.

If 10 out of 50 loitering white kids are kicked out while 40 out of 50 minority kids are, then we have a problem. But if there are more unattended minority kids or if local gangster brats have targeted the area as a hang out, what exactly is Disney supposed to do?