In honor of the 40th season of Sesame Street, which starts tomorrow, I thought I’d rerun this video, which made the rounds earlier this year and is based on a much older episode of the show.
Yes, this is exactly what marriage equality proponents want to teach children. The horror.
I was two when Sesame Street first launched. As one of the first generation of children to grow up with the show, I’ve always had a soft spot for it (although I raise a skeptical eyebrow at Elmo and Abby Cadabby). It remains not only one of the best children’s shows in terms of pedagogy, but also in terms of inclusivity. That inclusivity has not yet extended to LGBT families, but as I’ve said before, they have a new chance now, under a federal administration that is not likely to yank funding if they do so, and an increasing number of LGBT-friendly corporations who wouldn’t be afraid to sponsor them.
They’ve been a pioneer in diversity before, unafraid to incorporate characters of various ethnicities, languages, and physical abilities. They had a multi-episode storyline with an adoptive single mother in 2006. Really, throwing in an LGBT-headed family wouldn’t be that much of a stretch, and would help them prove that even 40 years on, they remain a leader in teaching children not only the ABC’s, but also the diversity of the society around them.
As another member of the first Sesame Street generation, I’ve already seen the show become more inclusive. In the 70s, the “fireman” (male) was a person in your neighborhood. There were no Asian-American characters, and Prairie Dawn was the only female Muppet that I can remember.
One thing I don’t remember seeing much of on Sesame Street is families, either with or without kids. I’d see kids, and adults, but not organized into family units.
I’m glad to hear about the adoption story — I didn’t know about it (our TV allotment is spent on Thomas, by popular demand). Having other families onscreen would help them integrate an LGBT-headed family in a way that is meaningful to young kids.
Feast of Fools did a great interview with author Michael Davis about the history and groundbreaking philosophy of the show:
http://www.feastoffun.com/gay-fun-show/2009/02/06/fof-926-sesame-street-cred-020609/