Sesame Street Gets Positive

I’m curious to hear the response from conservative African American cultural gatekeepers to Sesame Street’s plan to introduce an HIV-positive Muppet character in September. The…

by j. brotherlove

I’m curious to hear the response from conservative African American cultural gatekeepers to Sesame Street’s plan to introduce an HIV-positive Muppet character in September. The female character will debut in South Africa (where in 2000, about 40 percent of adult deaths were attributed to AIDS), with plans underway to introduce an HIV-positive character to U.S. viewers, as well.

Considering children are exposed to a cornucopia of inappropriate and sex-negative stimuli, daily, I support Sesame Street’s decision to impart tolerance and understanding to its young audience. I am constantly appalled by the lyrics of songs played on the radio. I am further horrified when I hear children singing the words to songs like “Back Dat Thang Up” and that raunchy “My Neck… My Back…” song. I don’t understand why more parents are not vocal about that.

I am relieved that the character will be more than a social mouthpiece. According to Joel Schneider, vice president and senior adviser, the character won’t just be relegated to “special” shows dealing with HIV/AIDS.

“This character will be fully a part of the community. She will have high self-esteem. Women are often stigmatized about HIV and we are providing a good role model as to how to deal with one’s situation and how to interact with the community.”

Thanks for posting that. Wow. Shows how much I don’t pay attention to the news. I personally feel like it’s a great idea. Yes, they’re going to get a lot of backlash from that (especially if they make the character black) but I agree with you, and I think it’s actually long overdue (why is it that things such as AIDS have to reach epidemic proportions before people make a wholehearted attempt to raise awareness?) Anyway, I’ve always felt the makers of Sesame Street handle sensitive issues responsibly and without racial bias, etc, so I support them. Like you, I’m also curious to hear what the response will be.

Good for Sesame Street. It sure has changed since I was a kid, but the atmosphere of acceptance is still there.
As for kids who listen to inapropriate music, I do have an answer since a few friends of mine feel my kids are “sheltered”. They feel their children are going to be exposed to it somehow anyway, and it’s “too hard” to control their influences, especially when they go to school. If they go that is, I teach mine all at home. :)

A friend of mine home-schools her children. She is one of a number of parents worried about increasingly dangerous conditions and inadequate teaching methods at many of our nation’s schools. No wonder home-schooling is on the rise.

yeah, i read this somewhere. i agree that it’s long overdue. some may argue the lack of value that this (relatively) minor effort will have on the spread of AIDS in south africa…but i always think about how so many kids eschew smoking these days, probably at least in part because of the anti-smoking message they’ve heard all their lives. this is definitely different from when i was growing up, and i really believe that all that anti-smoking propaganda worked on some level. every effort helps, no matter how small.

i too am appalled by some of the songs on the radio. i think parents aren’t vocal about them because many of them are singing the songs, too. at best, they’re just not paying enough attention to what their kids are listening to.

that “my neck, my back” song is appalling…i cringe every time i hear it and turn off the radio if i can. i find it interesting that the station here has no qualms about playing that, but won’t touch anything by me’shell (whom i’ve been requesting for years). don’t get me started….

i think it’s an excellent idea. instills some education about HIV and AIDS and tolerance early on.