“Sesame Street” is welcoming two new Black Muppets to the crew to help teach kids about race and inclusivity.
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind the children's TV show, introduced fans to 5-year-old Wes and his father, Elijah, in a short online video, ET reported.
In the video, Elmo notices that the trees in the park match the color of Wes’ brown skin, and he asks why his friend looks different. Elijah explains that melanin is something everybody has, and is what gives people the color of their skin, eyes, and hair. The puppet tells Elmo and his son that melanin is an important part of who people are.
The recent addition is part of the new series “Coming Together: The ABCs of Racial Literacy,” which offers resources to encourage families in talking to their children about race.
"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," said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President, Sesame Workshop. "The ABCs of Racial Literacy is designed to foster open, age-appropriate conversations among families and support them in building racial literacy.”
Additional resources include videos featuring real families talking about their experiences, activities for families to do together, and talking points and conversation starters for families.
"Sesame Workshop has always stood for diversity, inclusion, equity, and kindness,” said Kay Wilson Stallings, Executive Vice President of Creative and Production at Sesame Workshop. “As a trusted source for families, we have a responsibility to speak out for racial justice and empower families to have conversations about race and identity with their children at a young age.”
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