Elmo is learning important lessons about racism and the historic protests currently taking place nationwide.
ICYMI: CNN and Sesame Street came together to speak with children and their families this weekend in a televised special, Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families.
During the special (which aired on Saturday, June 6), Elmo’s dad, Louie, talked to his son about racism and why people across the world are gathering together in protest.
“Racism is when people treat other people unfairly because of the way they look or the color of their skin,” Louie said. “Not all streets are like Sesame Street. On Sesame Street, we all love and respect one another. Across the country, people of color, especially in the Black community, are being treated unfairly because of how they look, their culture, race and who they are. What we are seeing is people saying, ‘Enough is enough.’ They want to end racism.”
Running about an hour long, the program focused on teaching children to embrace diversity. Big Bird joined the station’s commentator Van Jones and anchor Erica Hill to moderate the event. There was even an appearance from Abby Cadabby, who opened up about a time Big Bird was treated differently because of his feathers.
Sesame Street has continued to voice its support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Last week, the popular PBS show posted a personal statement on all of its official social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, writing, “Racism has no place on our Street—or on any street.”
Keep asking questions, Elmo. We all need to learn more.