It’s a tough spot to be in. While it’s important to limit your kids’ exposure to potentially scary news stories, some topics, like racism and the death of George Floyd are simply too important to avoid. And if they don’t hear about it from you, there’s a good chance they will hear a fairly inaccurate version from other kids. Thankfully, the Sesame Street gang is here to help.
With the help of CNN commentator Van Jones and CNN anchor and national correspondent Erica Hill, Big Bird will moderate “Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism. A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families”. An all-star cast of Sesame Street favorites, including Elmo, Rosita and Abby Cadabby, will help explain racism, protests across the US, diversity and the importance of empathy.
Throughout its history, “Sesame Street” seems to have always embraced diversity and inclusion by having its Muppets and their human friends discuss important issues (like bullying, COVID-19 and divorce) and reflect people kids actually see day to day (like children whose parents are in the military).
On Monday, Sesame Street issued a poignant message in support of Americans protesting George Floyd’s death. “Racism has no place on our Street — or on any street,” the Sesame Street racism message read. “Today and every day we stand together with our Black colleagues, partners, collaborators, and the entire Black community. We stand with friends around the globe to speak out against racism, to promote understanding, and to create a world that is smarter, stronger, and kinder.”
This is the second Sesame Street town hall this spring. The first, held in April, addressed the novel coronavirus pandemic and provided resources for parents attempting to explain the COVID-19 outbreak to their children.
The Sesame Street town hall airs this Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. ET. The special Sesame Street event will air on CNN, CNN International, and CNN en Español; it will also stream live on CNN.com’s homepage and through CNN’s apps for free, no cable log-in required.
If you have questions, or your kids do, you can submit them now about protests, racism and diversity.
More About Sesame Street:
- Sesame Street Is Now Offering 110 Completely Free eBooks
- Elmo Is Getting His Own Late Night Talk Show
- ‘Sesame Street’ Introduces New Character with Autism
