The Time Goofy Called Me the “N” Word & the Hope of Mr. Rogers
I remember it like it was yesterday.
I was six at the time and my sister, Phyllis, was nine. It was the early seventies and this was the very first time that we visited Disneyland. I was so excited! What kid wouldn’t be? There was so much to take in; from the People Mover, to the Tiki Lounge.
I was there with my mother, my sister, and another relative. As we walked through the gates, the excitement intensified. We didn’t know what to do first. I believe we headed to the old theater where the robotic Presidents stood up with stiff backs and disjointed legs to address the audience. President Lincoln “spoke” in a slow, paced manner which had me memorized.
I believe we hopped on a few rides after that. My sister, Phyllis, was nine, just three years older than me. We wore matching dresses and felt like real princesses in a fairytale. During a lull in activity, my sister and I spotted Goofy, (ie someone in a Goofy costume) and ran towards him, eager for a hug. Goofy was surrounded by other kids, so we waited our turn. When it was our turn, and with big smiles, we approached Goofy with great anticipation and enthusiasm. But instead of being met with open arms, we were met with, “get away from me, niggers.”
I was stunned; not quite sure what to do. I wanted to cry but just stood there. My sister Phyllis took my hand and we walked away as Goofy greeted other kids. I didn’t tell my mother what had happened while still inside Disneyland, but, the joy was sucked out of that “magical” day.
It wasn’t until years later that I relayed to my mother what had happened to us. My sister Phyllis and I never really spoke of it again; even as adults.
It was the 1970s and blacks had very little options at the time. Even if my mom knew about our childhood-stunting experience, and reported it, nothing would have been done about it. How do I know?
About ten years ago I wrote a heartfelt letter to Michael Eisner about it and explained to him how it scarred me as a child. I wasn’t expecting much from him or his office; just an acknowledgment of my pain and possible apology. That letter was met with defying silence; no response or reply.
Why am I bringing this up now? It’s because of the attacks on brown children that I read about every day. It’s not Goofy, but still an act that snatches their childhood innocence from them and will affect them the rest of their lives.
Here are a few examples:
- 12-year-old child mowing lawns as a business in Ohio has the police called on him
- 8-year-old child selling bottled water in front of her home in NY on a hot day has police called on her
- Police pull guns on unarmed teens in Minnesota and detain after white child hurls racial slurs at teens
- 15-year-old teen and friend assaulted by woman at public pool — she also tells them they don’t belong
These incidents have all happened within the last few months. But with some of these attacks, there were people around recording the incidents and calling out the aggressive behavior instead of simply turning their backs because it wasn’t happening to them.
That gives me hope.
Last weekend I went to see, “Won’t You be My Neighbor?” a film about Mr. Rogers. That film is a “must see” by the way. During his multiple decades of teaching all children that they are loved, should have compassion and understanding; he never shied away from controversy. In fact, he said that, “Love is the root of everything. Love, or the lack of it.”
Mr. Rogers also added racial sensitivity into the mix as well. When black families and children were being banned from public pools, Mr. Rogers invited Officer Clemmons (a black man) to take his shoes off, roll up his pant legs and join him in his kiddie pool to refresh his feet.
I’ve always been a fan of Mr. Rogers. As a child, I saw him as a kind man who cared about my feelings. That opinion never changed as I grew into adulthood.
I have one of his book of quotes, “The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember.” One of my favorite quotes (paraphrased) of his is, “When something bad happens, look for the helpers.”
If Mr. Rogers was alive today, he would not only be distraught about the attack on children, but would be doing something about it in his own, unique way.
Who do we have today to stand in and stand up for children who are under attack? I’m sure there is someone; I just can’t think of anyone at the moment. But perhaps you can? Or perhaps YOU can be that person?
Nevertheless, still to this day, I want nothing to do with Goofy. I’ve been back to Disneyland many times since then and see that things have drastically evolved. In fact, if a child experienced anything close to what my sister Phyllis and I did, but in 2018, that employee would be fired (just for a start).
But, as an adult woman old enough to have grown kids of her own, that experience will never be erased from my memory. And, I’m sure, the same can be said about the children under attack currently in our own communities.
“Love your neighbor. Love yourself.” Mr. Rogers.
Patrice Williams Marks is a Sensitivity Reader, Sensitivity Reading Course Creator, Author, Screenwriter, Founder of a Non-profit charity, and mom to a furry 4-legged mama’s boy.