Sesame Street's Effect on Prejudice

[Drtooth]

Just one thing. I heard that some Palistinians teach kids to reject Western Culture. And since Sesame is western, do you think that parents let them watch it?

 

[sstVideo]

That's the reason for doing a CO-production, and not just a dubbed version of the American Sesame Street. The Palestinian production is produced there, written there, and shot there in their own language. (Although Sesame Workshop gives them American classic inserts to dub, they are free to use or not use them as they wish). The Workshop also contributes technical advice and advice on media effectiveness.
http://www.jewishsf.com/bk991112/etmuppets.shtml

Even in South Africa, where English is one of the official languages, the English is dubbed so it comes out with a South African accent to distinguish it from American programming. If you haven't seen Bert and Ernie do their thing with that sort of dutch/english accent, its a real treat!
http://www.sn.apc.org/usaidsa/success2.6.html

 

[sstVideo]

From the July 2 issue of the International Herald Tribune:
MEANWHILE The long road to peace starts at Sesame Street
By Barry James (International Herald Tribune)
Tuesday, July 2, 2002


PARIS: A question for world leaders: In a crisis should you 1) send in the Marines? 2) Send in Kofi Annan? 3) Send in the Muppets? The last is the least likely option, but according to the Sesame Workshop, which is behind the puppet characters, it might be the most effective in the long run.

...

"We are not monoculture. We are not Disney. We are not seen as an American company dumping values," Knell said in an interview. "We are taking and promoting values from other societies as well."

Knell said the Muppet world, rather than being a fantasy realm for young viewers, is meant to be a window on reality, introducing pre-schoolers to difficult concepts like conflict, loss, death or even Aids

 

[Drtooth]

Thanks Vid-man! It's very informative!