Mall Accused of Discrimination Against Black Family with Disabled Son

Incident at Cumberland Mall

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A Black family, owners of the small business Reign, was invited to participate in a vendor showcase at Cumberland Mall for MLB All-Star weekend.
• ♿ Their proud moment turned into a painful experience when the mall's general manager allegedly told them their 32-year-old son, Demond Crump Jr., who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, could not be in the mall.
• 💔 The family, including Demond Crump Sr. and his wife, stated, "If my son can't stay, then we can't stay," and chose to leave the mall with their son.

Allegations of Discrimination

• 🗣️ Demond Crump Sr. described the situation as discriminatory, emphasizing that his son is an integral part of their family and company.
• 🚫 The family was reportedly given no clear reason for the expulsion at the time, suspecting it was due to optics during the high-profile event.
• 📹 Crump recorded a Facebook video detailing the incident, which gained significant traction online.

Mall Ownership Response and Family's Stance

• 🏢 Brookfield Properties, the ownership group of Cumberland Mall, issued a statement calling the situation "deeply unfortunate" and citing "poor communication causing this misunderstanding."
• 🤝 They reached out to Mr. Trump and invited the family to return, but the family rejected this explanation and has no plans to return.
• ⚖️ The family has since hired an attorney and is considering legal action, rejecting the mall's apology and explanation of a "safety issue."

Discussion on Discrimination and Sensitivity

• 🔍 The incident is framed as textbook discrimination under public accommodations law, highlighting the illegality of denying access based on a person's condition.
• 🧠 The discussion emphasizes the need for basic human sensitivity and empathy, suggesting the general manager's actions lacked both.
• 📈 It is noted that society has progressed in providing access for disabled individuals, making this decision particularly backward and unfortunate.