Six powerful ways "Sesame Street" shaped our culture, as seen in poignant new "Sunny Days" special

[marmar]

Six powerful ways "Sesame Street" shaped our culture, as seen in poignant new "Sunny Days" special
From an unaired episode about Snuffleupagus' parents divorcing to addressing racism, the show put kids' needs first

By ASHLIE D. STEVENS
APRIL 27, 2021 8:32PM


(Salon) Come and play, everything's a-okay. You only have to hum a bar or two of the "Sesame Street" theme song to become instantly nostalgic for watching some of your favorite characters — Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, Grover, Rosita — spend time learning the "letter of the day" and other lessons alongside guest stars and celebrities.

But since "Sesame Street" first aired in 1969, it hasn't solely existed as a weekly children's show. For over five decades, the series has both uniquely reflected and impacted culture in ways that are unprecedented for any piece of media, whether its for children or adults.

ABC's new 90-minute documentary, "Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days," (now on Hulu) explores some of the strides the series has made, behind-the-scenes decisions, and the show's plans for the future.

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"Sesame Street" has long prioritized inclusion — and is now focusing on fighting racism

Since its inception, "Sesame Street" has been rooted in African American culture, more specifically the historically Black community of Harlem. This was apparent from the set design, to much of the show's music, to the diversity of its human cast — which was especially uncommon on children's television when "Sesame Street" first debuted in 1969.

"'Sesame Street' sees all the holes and just fills them," Whoopi Goldberg said while being interviewed about the impact of the series. .............(more)

https://www.salon.com/2021/04/27/sesame-street-50-years-of-sunny-days-abc-hulu/

[GPV]

1. Thanks for the heads up. I'm from the Sesame Unpaved generation. I remember

mr. Hooper and David!

[Probatim]

2. I remember my HS Social Studies teacher talking about how Sesame Street

changed IQ testing. She commented that scores were off the charts and testers related this to the launch Sesame Street.

She could have been full of spit, but she was one of my favorite teachers - and Sesame Street taught you loads of stuff without telling you they were teaching you.