Sesame Street

Character Diversity

Modeled after a street in East Harlem, New York, this fictional neighborhood always showcased multiculturalism. The original cast included Gordon and Susan, an African American couple; Bob, a white male; and shop owner Mr. Hooper, who, as was shown in the 1978 special “Christmas Eve on Sesame Street” celebrates Hanukkah. Early in the show's tenure, Latino and Latina characters Luis and Maria moved in. In time Miles, son of Gordon and Susan, and Gabi, daughter of Luis and Maria, played together on Sesame Street. Gina, a white female, became a resident in 1987 and in 2006 adopted son Marco from Guatemala. Following Mr. Hooper's death in 1982, David, then Mr. Handford, both played by African American actors, ran the store. Alan, the current proprietor is, Asian American, and Leela, the newest neighbor on Sesame Street, is Indian American. Sesame Street also has a tradition of introducing characters, including celebrity visitors, who speak Spanish, use sign language, or otherwise embody multiculturalism.

Undoubtedly, the most recognized inhabitants of Sesame Street are not humans but Muppets. Jim Henson's colorful creations present diversity in human, animal, and monster form: Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, and Oscar the Grouch, for example. Race and ethnicity are not directly indicated, as Bert and Ernie are yellow and orange, but their whiteness may be assumed. In the same way, it is implied that Hoots the Owl, a jazz musician, is African American. Roosevelt Franklin and Kingston Livingston resided on Sesame Street for only a short time. Ironically, Roosevelt was criticized for being too stereotypical African American and Kingston for being too counter-stereotype. On the other hand, Rosita, a bilingual Muppet who introduces the Spanish word of the day, appears to have found a permanent home on Sesame Street. Elmo, the most popular Muppet, is red and has no apparent race, but his puppeteer, Kevin Clash, is African American, and many attribute Clash's race to Elmo.

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