Sesame Street has been around for about five decades, helping children deal with difficult issues like death, autism, nursing, and now racial issues. They introduce a new 5 year old black doll and her father to help the family talk about race and racism together.
Surely most of us recognize the need for all families to debate race, whether they are white, black, or brown. But how we do that is often a problem. This is one of Sesame Street's strengths. The show not only helps children learn to deal with these problems, but also helps parents learn how to deal with them.
It is very important to introduce such problems early. This early childhood show begins with an emphasis on racism for 3 year olds. Sesame Street is launching a resource called ABCs on Racial Literacy, which will focus on providing tools and language for children, parents, and educators to talk openly about race and racism.
Sesame Street plans to become a model for conversation between black children. Wesley and Elijah's parents because she firmly believed in the need for such conversation. It shows hope for possible conversation, but answers the kinds of questions children can ask.
This is a time when we as parents and caregivers need to focus more on racist issues and issues. This is not just a question for non-white parents. This is a problem for white parents and those who need to spend time hoping to change the situation with their children.
A poll by Sesame Workshop found that only 26 percent of white parents said they were likely to discuss race with their children, while 61 percent of black parents said they would discuss race with their young children.
It was clear that white families needed to find a way to incorporate this discussion into theirs.
Many white parents think this is not a problem for them, when in fact it is not. We all have racist issues that need to be discussed openly in our families. These problems must be addressed from the earliest years of the child. You might want to take a look at Sesame Street with a focus on Season 53. They will also focus their new characters Wes and Elijah on Racial Justice for kids ages 2 and 6-8.
Here's how to discuss racial issues with your children at this event. If you haven't already, it's time to get started. We all have a responsibility to help eliminate racial issues in our society for the benefit of all of us.
Recent articles on race issues have recently underlined the importance of addressing this issue. Even though some of the fur has tangled, it's for the right reasons because sometimes we need a frill to make it better than yesterday (Lang, C., New Neighbors, Time, 29 March - 5 April 2021).
Here's how to talk about race with your little ones. Be open to learning opportunities and discuss these topics with children of all ages.
This is a feather that needs to be slightly tangled. Take the first step.
Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former director of the Parents Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers, and grandparents. For more information, please email info@firstteacher.org or call 360-681-2250.
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