Teaching Children to Stand Up Against Racism
The PBS mainstay Sesame Street has a history of explaining the world to children, tackling everything from foster care to substance abuse. In the recent wake of national events concerning race, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit, educational organization behind the popular kid’s program, will air a half-hour anti-racist special titled The Power of We, encouraging families to watch together.
The segment defines racism for younger viewers and shows how it can be hurtful. It urges children who encounter racism or hear someone else be the victim of it to call it out. The special will stream on HBO Max and PBS Kids and air on PBS stations beginning Oct. 15. Viewers are offered tips to help their communities unite, including chalk drawings, and making positive signs.
It concludes with the slogan “Listen. Act. Unite,” and provides online resources for parents to help guide conversations about race. In June, Sesame Street also contributed to Coming Together: Standing Up To Racism, a CNN town hall special hosted by Van Jones and Erica Hill.