HIV positive character on Sesame Street

[NinjaPoodle]

What are your thoughts?
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Sesame Street to introduce HIV-positive Muppet

July 12, 2002 Posted: 12:35 AM EDT (0435 GMT)


Talks are under way to add an HIV-positive Muppet to the Sesame Street gang, which includes Ernie and Bert.


NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Sesame Street will soon introduce its first
HIV-positive Muppet character to children of South Africa, where one in nine people have the virus that can lead to AIDS.

The upbeat female Muppet will join "Takalani Sesame" on September 30 for its third season on the South African Broadcasting Corp.

The character -- which has yet to have a name or final color or form -- will travel to many if not all of the eight other nations that air versions of the educational children's show that began in the United States in 1969, said Joel Schneider, vice president and senior adviser to the Sesame Street Workshop.

Schneider said talks are under way to introduce an HIV-positive character to U.S. viewers.


Schneider announced the new character this week at the 14th International AIDS Conference in Barcelona, Spain, where he spoke by telephone on Thursday.

"This character will be fully a part of the community," Schneider said. "She will have high self-esteem. Women are often stigmatized about HIV and we are providing a good role model as to how to deal with one's situation and how to interact with the community."

The program is aimed at children from 3 to 7 and the messages delivered by the new character will be "appropriate," said Schneider, meaning that there will be no explicit mention of sex.

"Not every show will deal explicitly with HIV/AIDS," Schneider said. "We want to show that here is an HIV-positive member of our community who you can touch and interact with.

"We will be very careful to fashion our messages so they are appropriate to the age group. What do I do when I cut my finger? What do I do when you cut your finger? That sort of thing."

"Takalani Sesame" will be the second children's show in South Africa to have an HIV-positive character. But it is believed to be the first among shows designed for preschoolers, said Beatrice Chow, spokeswoman for the Sesame Street Workshop in New York.

In some parts of South Africa, 40 percent of women of child-bearing age are infected with HIV, and in 2000, about 40 percent of adult deaths in South Africa were attributed to AIDS, according to the U.S. State Department.

[SeriousSigma22]

Sorhors and Friends,

I say go for it! That's one thing you can say about Sesame Street they always try to tackle the issues even for children all around the world. Why not explain this issue with the right educational spin and maybe they can dispel some of the myths and help the children of South Africa and other African countries deal with such an epidemic in a positive way. I think they are on the right path to helping heal the emotional and mental scars that also come with the association to HIV and AIDS.


Serioussigma22

[HolyGhost7]

I think thats great. However.... I wish there was an more grown up but still childrens show....some where to target that 7-12 age group and talk about the real issues. But in a Sesame Street form almost. I dont know if yall feel me on that but some folk think they have to give graphic details to tell the truth and it aint so...but you do have to keep it real!!!

[determined_one]

I understand that HIV is growing everywhere, especially Africa. However, what happened to children being children and enjoying their childhood. I mean shouldnt these issues be taught a little later down rather than at a Sesame's Street age? But, hey if it makes a positive difference, that's the most important part.

[TRSimon]

Originally posted by determined_one
I understand that HIV is growing everywhere, especially Africa. However, what happened to children being children and enjoying their childhood. I mean shouldnt these issues be taught a little later down rather than at a Sesame's Street age? But, hey if it makes a positive difference, that's the most important part.

At first, I felt like that, but then I considered the impact that HIV has in Africa. It is taking away parents and teachers at a rate that is nothing short of devastating. I mean, if you were a child and most of the grownups around you were dying off due to AIDS at the rate they are in Africa, maybe you would want to understand what is going on. I thought this was the purpose of the character.

TRSimon

[determined_one]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At first, I felt like that, but then I considered the impact that HIV has in Africa. It is taking away parents and teachers at a rate that is nothing short of devastating. I mean, if you were a child and most of the grownups around you were dying off due to AIDS at the rate they are in Africa, maybe you would want to understand what is going on. I thought this was the purpose of the character


Never thought of it that way, Good point!

[TLAW]

I grew up on two continents, and Sesame Street was one show that I could relate to.
Yes, kids grow up too fast nowadays, but the rest of the world is not waiting, and AIDS seems to have a head start. I think it is an excellent idea.

[Senusret I]

I feel you. . .Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High were for older kids, and there was really nothing teaching values to 7-12 year olds.

Originally posted by HolyGhost7
I think thats great. However.... I wish there was an more grown up but still childrens show....some where to target that 7-12 age group and talk about the real issues. But in a Sesame Street form almost. I dont know if yall feel me on that but some folk think they have to give graphic details to tell the truth and it aint so...but you do have to keep it real!!!

[SeriousSigma22]

Folks,

Yesterday on the news, channel 4 local (NBC), I heard them report how some members of Congress basically threated to pull funding from PBS if they even think about introducing a HIV positive puppet to children in America. That is a serious issue and Congress needs to get with the times because there are so many children having unprotected sex and trying all kinds of drugs and just really putting themselves at risk. I hate to say it but the age of being innocent is over for many children in the United States. In my opinion I think that Congress is doing more harm than good if they try to keep this serious subject of HIV and AIDs away from children because after all knowledge is power.

Serioussigma22

[PrettyKitty]

I heard about this and I think it's a hot mess. Kids can't even have Sesame Street nemore...the age of innocence is so far gone now

[SeriousSigma22]

PrettyKitty,

I understand your point and frustrations about airing adult subject matter on children's show but unfortunately we are living in a time that knowledge is power and a tool to use to educate, keep our children safe, and healthy.


Serioussigma22

[jojapeach]

Originally posted by SeriousSigma22
Yesterday on the news, channel 4 local (NBC), I heard them report how some members of Congress basically threated to pull funding from PBS if they even think about introducing a HIV positive puppet to children in America. That is a serious issue and Congress needs to get with the times because there are so many children having unprotected sex and trying all kinds of drugs and just really putting themselves at risk. I hate to say it but the age of being innocent is over for many children in the United States. In my opinion I think that Congress is doing more harm than good if they try to keep this serious subject of HIV and AIDs away from children because after all knowledge is power.

Serioussigma22

I love PBS for my niece and nephew because it is so educational for them. If PBS were ever taken away, I don't know how I could allow them to watch decent TV (they don't watch a bunch of videos or talk shows in my presence). Soror Serioussigma22, you are so right about the possible removal of PBS doing considerably more harm than good. There's much more benefit than harm on that network. What people need to understand is that kids do need to learn about more than letters, numbers, and colors. Some shows do talk about more than that, but now, it's time to tackle serious topics like not going off with strangers and general introductions to HIV. Just look at the headlines!

I 100% support an HIV-positive puppet because it can teach young children so much. I can imagine that the children who were introduced to this new puppet will identify it as their favorite 20 years from now because it helped them cope with the HIV epidemic. I hope they can find a way to introduce more HIV and sex education to all age groups in throughout the continent of Africa.