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Feminism In Sesame Street

Decent Essays

Sesame Workshop’s decision to incorporate a transgender Muppet on the show mirrors the gradual changes that have progressively taken place within the framework of feminism. The Eastern Kentucky University Women and Gender Studies Program defined the evolution of feminism as: “Historically, feminism has evolved from the critical examination of inequality between the sexes with a more nuanced focus on the social and performative constructions of gender and sexuality” (2017). In other words, the feminist establishment has transformed along with time to reflect the changes in society. Which perfectly makes sense! In order, for progress to occur, you must move along with the times, and Sesame Street has done that. Thus, the show will continue to positively influence hundreds of American youth because they know that social-evolution is the key to success!
Similarly, Sesame Street touches on the complexities surrounding race. Segi is a black, female Muppet who made her debut in Season 42. This progression can be viewed as positive as it was a racially diversifying move. However, the character was not given a name until Season 45 (Muppet Wiki 2017). Therefore, I find the addition of the character to be an important aspect supporting racial equality, but the fact that she remained unnamed for three seasons seems to be rather counterproductive. Eventually, Sesame Workshop named Segi after Joey Mazzarino’s adopted daughter, for whom Mazzarino wrote: “I Love My Hair” (Muppet Wiki 2017).

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