In a recent uproar, the president of the Conservative Political Action Committee, Roger Lane, slammed PBS as “ridiculous” and called for its funding to be cut after Sesame Street unveiled a new Asian-American muppet. This character, Ji-Young, is a 7-year-old Korean girl and marks the first Asian-American muppet to join the beloved show’s lineup. In light of the increased violence against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sesame Street aimed to promote inclusivity and diversity by introducing Ji-Young.
However, Lane did not see it that way. He took to Twitter, questioning the race of characters like Ernie and Bert and stated, “PBS is insane, and we should defund them.” Later, during an appearance on Fox and Friends First, he reiterated his stance, lamenting that the show, which he fondly remembers for teaching kids about reading and tolerance, is now “injecting race” into its narratives.
It’s quite baffling that a grown man would want to defund a show that has historically taught tolerance, simply because it’s taking steps toward more inclusive representation. Lane even went on a rant about the inclusion of gender discussions within the Muppets, referencing a character’s son who wished to be a daughter. It’s unclear what he was specifically referring to, as Sesame Street has never featured an openly transgender character. Maybe he was confused by an episode of Muppet Babies where Gonzo, a blue alien, dresses up as “Gonzo-rella” for a party.
For those who appreciate Sesame Street’s commitment to diversity, Ji-Young will make her debut in an upcoming Thanksgiving episode titled “See Us Coming Together.” She’s depicted as an electric guitar-playing skateboarder who learns about her heritage through her family and shares her culture through food. Sounds like a character our kids will love and learn from!
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In summary, while Roger Lane’s criticism of Sesame Street highlights a larger debate about representation and inclusion in children’s programming, many see the introduction of Ji-Young as a positive step toward teaching future generations about diversity and cultural appreciation.
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