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Topic: Sesame Street Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet (Read 834 times)

Rhune
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Sesame Street Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet
« on: Jul 15^th, 2002, 11:45am »

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http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?26944

'Sesame Street' Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet
Fri, Jul 12, 2002 02:11 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - The South African version of the children's show "Sesame Street" will be introducing an HIV-positive muppet in an effort to teach children about the disease. More than ten percent of South Africans, 4.7 million people, have HIV - the world's largest infected population with the virus.

Yvonne Kgame of the South African Broadcasting Corp told the AP that the new female character will be named Takalani Sesame. Her open interaction with the other muppets will hopefully dispel some of the prevalent stigma attached to those living with the virus. "We want to build hope and address the issues of stereotypes against HIV. It's about instilling positive attitudes toward people HIV infected," Kgame says.

Takalani Sesame's story lines will be used to teach lessons about the epidemic. Kgame explains, "It will have, in a childlike manner, open discussions about sexuality, HIV and AIDS, and death and dying." These issues may seem a bit too mature for children, but she explains, "The reality is that children as young as they are affected very closely by HIV/AIDS. They experience death and dying of people very close to them."

« Last Edit: Jul 15^th, 2002, 9:57pm by Irishlass »

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Mzz_Joplin
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Re: Seasame Street Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet
« Reply #1 on: Jul 15^th, 2002, 12:09pm »

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I think that's wonderful! In an area that's so overrun by AIDS, the more education, the better!
Good for them! :tup:

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east
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Re: Seasame Street Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet
« Reply #2 on: Jul 15^th, 2002, 1:48pm »

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this is really, really, really great! i hope that north america will follow suit especially considering the rate of aids infection in the dtes is now at the same rate as africa! the more education the better! Cool

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Rhune
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Re: Seasame Street Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet
« Reply #3 on: Jul 15^th, 2002, 6:40pm »

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Disturbed by the prospect of Sesame Street introducing an HIV-Positive Muppet on its South African version as part of an AIDS ( news - web sites) education effort, a group of conservative lawmakers is making like Oscar the Grouch and has sent a letter to PBS expressing their concern over the appropriateness of such a character and subject matter on public television.

"We look forward to working with you to ensure that only age and culturally appropriate programs air on PBS, which is a mainstay that millions of parents have come to rely upon over the past 35 years," reads the letter, which was obtained by Daily Variety.

Five Republican members of the powerful House Commerce Committee, led by chairman W.J. "Billy" Tauzin of Louisiana, also reminded PBS president Pat Mitchell that Congress has the last word on funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS' backer.

The new HIV ( news - web sites)-infected female Muppet is set to debut September 30 on Takalani Sesame with the goal of helping combat the spread of HIV and AIDS by educating youngsters on the epidemic and repudiating widely held cultural stereotypes about the virus and those infected. More than 10 percent of the South African population is infected with HIV.

The forces behind Sesame Street say the character, who has yet to be designed or named, will freely interact with her fellow Muppets, and the topic of AIDS would be handled delicately and not explicitly mention sex.

While the HIV-positive Muppet might later be introduced in other countries where a sizable percentage of the population is battling AIDS, PBS said last week that there were no immediate plans for a similar character to join Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Elmo and the rest of the gang Stateside.

Still, that's not stopping conservatives from taking swipes at the award-winning children's series. The American Family Association says the character is a means for homosexual activists to influence young viewers. And the Tauzin-led congressional letter-writers--which also included Represtentatives Joe Barton (R-Texas), Cliff Stearns (R-Florida), Fred Upton (R-Michigan), Charles Pickering (R-Mississippi) and Richard Burr (R-North Carolina)--are taking PBS' Mitchell to task.

"While it is important to teach children in an age-appropriate manner about compassion for those who contract certain diseases, we would like to inquire as to whether there is other PBS programming, aimed at an older age group, which may be more suitable for such sensitive messages," the letter continues.

The politicians, all supporters of a movement in Congress to slash funding for public broadcasting, have requested that Mitchell respond to their inquiry by Friday. She been asked to answer such questions regarding how much funding PBS annually allocates Sesame Street; whether or not the PBS bigwig would allow corporations to play a larger role in underwriting more programming; and whether the show has plans to bring the HIV-positive Muppet to America. This despite PBS' assurances that it wasn't.

Ironically, one of the few morality mavens coming out in support of the HIV-positive Muppet was none other than the Reverend Jerry Falwell. Falwell, who notoriously tried to out Teletubby Tinky Winky, says he believes the new Muppet will have a positive effect, as long as there is no discussion of its sexuality.

A PBS spokesperson declined to comment Monday on the letter.

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Mzz_Joplin
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Re: Seasame Street Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet
« Reply #4 on: Jul 15^th, 2002, 8:23pm »

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Oh good grief, what is WRONG with people? Angry

I'm sorry, but don't these people realise that E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N is the only way that we stand a chance against AIDS? Do they think that burying our heads in the sand and pretending AIDS doesn't exist is going to help anything?!

:steamed:

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Rhune
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Re: Sesame Street Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet
« Reply #5 on: Jul 17^th, 2002, 9:36am »

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WASHINGTON (Variety) - Soothing concerns raised by Republican lawmakers, Public Broadcasting System said Tuesday it has no intention of introducing an HIV ( news - web sites)-infected Muppet to American airwaves.

Rather, the new Sesame Workshop character is intended for South African audiences only.

In a letter dispatched to Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-La.) and other solons, PBS president Pat Mitchell explained that Sesame Workshop is an independent organization that developed the new Muppet in concert with South African educators and the U.S. Agency for Intl. Development.

The female, HIV-infected Muppet will bow Sept. 30 on "Takalani Sesame," as the local version of the show is known.

"There are no plans to incorporate this character or curriculum into 'Sesame Street' on PBS," Mitchell said.

Tauzin and other politicians said they didn't think it would be appropriate to bring the Muppet to the U.S., reminding Mitchell in a letter sent over the weekend that Congress has financial oversight of PBS.

Top Tauzin aide Ken Johnson said that his boss was satisfied with Mitchell's response.

"The issue is over," Johnson said. "We had a real simple argument -- let kids be kids. They are going to grow up fast enough. They are going to learn about AIDS ( news - web sites), world famine and terrorism soon enough. Why can't they laugh and play for a while?"

It's another story when it comes to AIDS-ravaged South Africa, where one in nine people are estimated to have the human immuno-deficiency virus, which causes AIDS.

The new Muppet is intended to humanize and de-stigmatize people with HIV or AIDS. Character will be "lively, friendly and an active participant" in all adventures featured on the show.

"There was an overwhelming local desire and passion to bring this issue to the program," said Robert Knezevic, Sesame Workshop's assistant VP for international projects.

Dirk Dijkerman, the U.S. Agency for Intl. Development's director in South Africa, said the new Muppet is a "tremendous teaching opportunity" that will reach almost 14 million people per week via TV and radio.

Johnson said Tauzin doesn't have a problem with the involvement of U.S. aid in the South African project.

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east
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Re: Sesame Street Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet
« Reply #6 on: Jul 17^th, 2002, 12:03pm »

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Top Tauzin aide Ken Johnson said that his boss was satisfied with Mitchell's response.

"The issue is over," Johnson said. "We had a real simple argument -- let kids be kids. They are going to grow up fast enough. They are going to learn about AIDS ( news - web sites), world famine and terrorism soon enough. Why can't they laugh and play for a while?"

this is just wrong thinking...reality is good for children and adults. so our children should laugh and play while others die? i am so perplexed. i think if our children knew more about our/their world, it would be a better place. b :tup:

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Mzz_Joplin
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Re: Sesame Street Introduces HIV-Positive Muppet
« Reply #7 on: Jul 17^th, 2002, 2:50pm »

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K-A, I agree with you 100%! :tup:

As for the article...

Tauzin and other politicians said they didn't think it would be appropriate to bring the Muppet to the U.S., reminding Mitchell in a letter sent over the weekend that Congress has financial oversight of PBS.
:steamed:

This kind of bull$hit powerplay by congress saddens, angers, and disgusts me ... :steamed:

It's another story when it comes to AIDS-ravaged South Africa, where one in nine people are estimated to have the human immuno-deficiency virus, which causes AIDS.
One day, the numbers here in America will be that high ... K-A already said the numbers were that high in parts of Canada ...

The new Muppet is intended to humanize and de-stigmatize people with HIV or AIDS. Character will be "lively, friendly and an active participant" in all adventures featured on the show.
And we don't need that here in North America?! Sigh ...

:bomb:

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