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Updated by Kendra Brea Cooper on Mar 20, 2015
Headline for Sunny Day: 10 Fascinating Facts about Sesame Street
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Sunny Day: 10 Fascinating Facts about Sesame Street

Sesame Street is on the pop culture throne as the most loved childhood television show. Its roots are radical, its struggles were controversial, and its street is unstoppable. Since November 10, 1969, the show has reached millions of children and has even conquered the internet age with over a billion views on Youtube. Here are 10 fascinating facts about the most famous street in the world.

1

The Early Days

The Early Days

According to Shameless mag , there is a warning on the DVD volumes of Sesame Street stating that volumes one and two are not intended for children. Sorry, what?

This is real.

It's like some sort of conservative absurdity. The early Sesame Street set up a space that showed inner city kids that their world was not forgotten. It was political, and it respected children and their ability to learn and love. Check this video out: " I am Somebody" AMAZING.

It has been criticized for the sugar coating the inner city setting, and this is a legitimate criticism.

2

Generations.

Generations.

Sesame Street (circa 1969) is that one children's show we all grew up with. It ties our own history in with the young ones we're surrounded with now. We share the influence, excitement, and understanding.

3

Progress

Progress

Sesame Street was (and is), not without its faults. It has been criticized, especially in the past, for its lack of representation of women and the Latino community. While it has been a struggle, Sesame Street has made attempts to correct this through new characters and stories over the decades.

4

More Than a Princess

More Than a Princess

Upworthy posted this video of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor telling young girls to dream bigger.

5

Prison.

Prison.

Sesame Street deals with things, like incarceration, that are real and come with consequences. They might not criticize the system head on, but these episodes let kids know they're not alone.

6

Banned in the Mississippi.

Banned in the Mississippi.

Unlike a ton of shows, Sesame Street consciously makes sure there isn't a white majority in the cast. In 1970, the show was banned in Mississippi because it was racially integrated, and law makers considered this "offensive". In other words, Sesame Street challenged the racist beliefs of these law makers, and so they tried to censor progress. The ban only lasted a month.

7

C is for Communism

C is for Communism

On many occasions, Sesame Street has been accused of Communism. Some people think Socialist values are a bad thing. Some people confuse Socialism with Communism, and others think any kind of community driven progress is "scary".

From a 1971 news paper in Louisiana to contemporary Fox news, Sesame Street's values have been questioned by conservatives. McCarthyism is alive and well in popular culture.

Sharing is caring, and community is good.

8

Community

Community

It is clear that Sesame Street is big on community. A tight-knit community is important for the health of a growing child, for a bright future, and for social progress.

9

Radical Acceptance

Radical Acceptance

Leslie's article _Sesame Street and Radical Acceptance_highlights the way Sesame Street encourages gender neutral language, acceptance of differences, and an understanding of the self and other. It participates in a society that wants to change for the better.

10

Education is for Everyone

Education is for Everyone

Sesame Street was created through educational studies and data. Not only that, the creators fully understood the consequences of privilege and education. The show was developed so that no kid was left out of learning because of income.