BELLA B.
Yelp
It's January 2024, you expect people to have understanding or a bit of compassion with these rough years we've just endured as a collective community. In Los Angeles ( and in America in general). I especially, feel that people that choose to work around kids have a bit more empathy or at least more patience than the average person.
I try to lead a life with kindness and respect for others. So although I didn't speak up at the moment, it was to protect my harmony and the people around me. I felt really uncomfortable and icky today.
I came in for the open play at 10am. I have two daughters who are disabled. And recently lost my business. So I have fallen into the "financial hardship " category. For those who don't know if you have an EBT card which I do, it's a card that helps me pay for food at the moment. I do not receive cash from the government, I make "too" much for that assistance.
Well, I come in at 9:45 she asked if I had a membership I said I'm not sure she looked me up and said "oh, ok you do have a membership but, since I'm not paying full price fees like other members I have to wait until 10. Which is fine, if those are the rules I'm not against it. So me and my 2.5 daughter are waiting. Watching people go inside who are members and at 9:57 some people get in line who aren't members and pay. She allows them to go in line to get inside. At that point there are two other people in line to pay so I decided since my daughter had been trying to get in by the time I wait in line behind them it will be 10?
So I did I wait behind them and right as it's my turn to go through the security checkpoint. She comes running around the corner and says very rudely, you need to wait until 10 next time ! Give me your hand ! Next time I won't let you in ... Almost, as if I was a child. She herself is pretty young. I honestly was shocked and surprised but more so I felt so disgusted and discriminated against. I just said, ok, she stamped my hand and I looked at my phone it was 9:59. I wear a hoodie and vans when I'm out very la/Santa Monica vibe no makeup and no high end brands names. She acted as if I did something so horrible and I should be ashamed.
The thing is I totally get needing to wait my turn. But fair is fair. Why were the people in front of me allowed in they weren't members? They came for
Open play which started at 10am ; Just like me? I know for sure because I asked them. While we talked and waited to get in.
I didn't feel comfortable so we stayed about 15 mins and left. It gave me an uneasy feeling. My back story is pretty long. But I will say, I was born in Santa Monica. I'm 40 years old and live on Colorado and 4th. I didn't grow up with much and we struggled and saw my parents being treated very differently. I worked hard to get out of that situation. At the moment, yes I need help. But I won't stay stuck for long.
I'm a part of the Santa community for longer than most of these places have been around especially this "museum " which shouldn't even be allowed to have the name museum. Since they are charging a set amount and not accepting donations.
I normally don't fall in such a "low economical status". Which is extremely fortunate for me and my children. But, there are many people who do in this area and in La that treatment was horrid. Not ok, and felt very specific.
I much rather spend $20 which I do pretty often and go down the street where there is a zipline and friendly people running it. Rock the spectrum.
The thing is if I had to pay, and that would have made you treat me better than being treated like a "lower part of society" because I get a discount. I would have paid but there are many people who don't have the funds and if you treat them like that you should be ashamed. If that is the case don't offer it?
I can almost guarantee the only reason it offers " financial hardship help" is more a mandatory requirement and or tax write off and maybe to look better in the community. I can't wait until, something about this place comes into play with my area. My kids go to Roosevelt and Franklin elementary (one has a special needs class) and I will be voicing my opinion about that place this year.
Also side note. I have only gone here a couple of times and it always look pretty dirty. My neighbors daughter worked here for a bit and told us they don't really wipe anything that why it's "closed for cleaning " so you don't see what they do and when they are off at night they don't clean anything but trash. Her words not mine. Personally, it always looks the same anywhere there's kids there is germs.
At for the place it's self, it's ok.. the only cool thing they have is the climbing net but if your kid is 3 and under and doesn't like to do things themselves it's a no.
I'm not going back there ever and it's free for me.