‘Sesame Street’ focused on fighting racism in TV special
NEWYORK—“Sesame Street” has always pressed for inclusion. Nowin the wake of the national reckoning on race, it’s going further— teaching children to stand up against racism.
SesameWorkshop— the nonprofit, educational organization behind “Sesame Street”— will air the half-hour anti-racist special “The Power ofWe” beginning Oct. 15 and hopes families willwatch together.
The special defines racism for younger viewers and shows howit can be hurtful. It urges children who encounter racism or hear someone else be the victim of it to call it out. “When you see something that’s wrong, speak up and say, ‘That’s wrong’ and tell an adult,” 6-year-old Gabrielle theMuppet advises.
The special, composed of little skits and songs in a Zoom-like format, will stream onHBOMax and PBS Kids and air on PBS stations.
In one animated skit, a BlackMuppet is told by a whiteMuppet that he can’t dress up like a superhero because they’re only white. Though hurt, the Black Muppet nevertheless refuses to stop playing superheroes, saying they can come in all colors. The whiteMuppet soon apologizes. “Racism hurts and it’s wrong,” is the message.
In the song “HowDo You Know?” racism is dealt with head-on. “Hey, Elmo, howwould you feel if I said, ‘I don’t like you ’cause I don’t like the color red?’ ” sings Tamir, a Black 8-yearoldMuppet. Elmo responds: “Elmowouldn’t care what you said ’cause Elmo is proud, proud to be red!” It concludes with the lines: “Speak up. Say something. Don’t give in.”
“We believe that this moment calls for a direct discussion about racism to help children grasp the issues and teach them that they are never too young to be ‘upstanders’ for themselves, one another and their communities,” said KayWilson Stallings, executive vice president of creative and production at SesameWorkshop, in a statement.
Current and former Sesame Street human cast members Alan, Charlie, Chris and Gordon take part in the special, alongside celebrity guests Yara Shahidi, the star of “grown-ish;” “Hamilton” star Christopher Jackson; and Grammy-nominated singer AndraDay.
Viewers are offered tips to help their communities unite, including chalk drawings, making positive signs and going to singalongs. When outside, all the puppetswear masks, even the letter puppets. The special concludes with the slogan “Listen. Act. Unite.”
SesameWorkshop has included online resources for parents to help guide conversations with their child about race, including talking, singing and breathing together. “Sharing can help us feel better” is one tip. There are also downloadable pictures to color and a certificate with a place to put the name of an upstander.
“Sesame Street” has a history of explaining the world to children, tackling everything fromfoster care to substance abuse. The latest special comes on the heels of “Sesame Street” contributing to “Coming Together: StandingUp to Racism,” aCNNtown hall special in June hosted by Van Jones and Erica Hill.