I
stopped reading the news long ago because I felt it was plagued with what the ‘media
thought we should know’, which is usually about celebrities. I’m tired of
hearing about celebrities, and too many people are obsessed with celebrity
lives instead of their own. When you have to read and gossip about someone else’s
life, then that means you haven’t been living your own. But I regress.
Living
in Germany, I don’t watch the local news in the States, but I do get Bing highlights
when I open my browser. I came across this article about Sesame
Street. When I was a child, I couldn’t wait to watch Sesame Street along
with Romper Room, and they helped me learn to count and learn my ABC’s.
Because
of the overwhelming number of Americans in jail these days, or have been in
jail, Sesame Street decided to introduce a Muppet called, Alex, whose dad is in
prison. “Alex, who wears a hoodie, gives voice to kids who might feel that they
don't otherwise have one.” Take a look at a clip of one of the segments. Adults can learn many lessons from this video.
The
idea is great for helping children cope with a life situation they didn’t
create. Sesame Street is a wonderful teaching tool for children. Unfortunately,
it shouldn't have to teach children about feeling like an outcast because their parent is in jail. It's a time for them to learn about playing well with others, sharing, etc.
This
says volumes about where our society is headed. Gone are the days of innocence.
Children are bombarded, damaged and bruised by adult actions. These childhood
issues cause anxiety and various other psychological problems, and in some
cases, children grow up and mirror their parent’s actions.
Since
2002, the U.S. has the highest jail rates. “As of 2010, the rate was 500
prisoners per 100,000 citizens, compared with an average of 100 prisoners per
100,000 citizens in peer countries. Incarceration rates are significantly
higher for American blacks and Latinos than for whites.” These statistics are
disheartening. America has lost its vision for opportunity and the American
dream. I highly doubt anyone who came to America thought prison was a dream. Many
people from other cultures came to America to make their dreams come true and succeeded.
All
I can say is these ‘new efforts’ from Sesame Street are commendable and depressing
at the same time.
Sesame
Street and Jail,
Bea
