TV

Sesame Street character Elmo’s dad explains what racism is to kids and why people are protesting for Black Lives Matter


Elmo’s dad explains what racism is (Picture: CNN/PA)

Elmo’s dad Louie from Sesame Street has explained to children what racism is and why people are protesting for Black Lives Matter.

As part of a TV special titled Coming Together: Standing Up To Racism, CNN partnered up with Sesame Street to give both children and parents an opportunity to explore the current movement the nation is going through.

The hour-long show featured Sesame Street characters including Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Rosita. Together, they, along with experts, answered questions submitted by families.

As a three-year-old, Elmo, like many other children may not understand how racism works, which can make it difficult understanding why people are protesting after the death of George Floyd.

George died after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes during an arrest, despite his insistence that he couldn’t breathe.

His death sparked protests across the US and around the world – with John Boyega and Love Island’s Siannise Fudge and Luke Trotman joining the Black Lives Matter movement in London.

Elmo’s dad Louie helped to make things a bit clearer for children as he discussed racism and the protests to his son.

Elmo asked his dad: ‘Daddy, Elmo doesn’t understand, what is happening? Why are all these people together?’

(Picture: CNN)

‘They are gathered together to protest,’ he answered. ‘A protest is when people come together to show they are upset and disagree about something.

‘They want to make others aware of the problem, so protesting, people are able to share their feelings and work together to make things better.’

Elmo went on to ask: ‘They look sad, are they upset?’

Protests have been happening all over the world (Picture: AP)

‘Yes and they have every right to be Elmo,’ he explained. ‘They are upset because racism is a huge problem in our country.

‘Racism is when people treat other people unfairly because of the way they look or the colour of their skin.

‘Not all streets are like Sesame Street. On Sesame Street, we all love and respect one another. Across the country, people of colour, especially in the black community, are being treated unfairly because of how they look, their culture, race and who they are.’

He added: ‘What we are seeing is people saying, “Enough is enough.” They want to end racism.’

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