Photo credit: Sesame Street
Sesame Street is adding two Black muppets to the cast in efforts to promote racial literacy.
The long-running kids show revealed their new characters Wes and Elijah, a father-son duo, in a new Sesame Street special, The ABC’s of Racial Literacy.
In this episode, not only are they introduced to the world, but discuss on why their skin is brown and explain to Elmo what melanin is.
.@Elmo and his friend Wes are exploring the colors of their skin (and fur)! We can all learn about and celebrate our unique identities together. #ComingTogether pic.twitter.com/2gHoCGWxuJ
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) March 24, 2021
“At Sesame Workshop, we look at every issue through the lens of a child. Children are not colorblind — not only do they first notice differences in race in infancy, but they also start forming their own sense of identity at a very young age,” Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, the Senior Vice President of Sesame Workshop said in a statement. “By encouraging these much-needed conversations through Coming Together, we can help children build a positive sense of identity and value the identities of others.”
What are your thoughts? Do you feel this is important? Why or why not?
