HIV Positive Muppet

There was a story I read on Yahoo about this issue. It said that politicians are worried about having this HIV positive Muppet being aired on Sesame Street on American television. I quote:

“…five members of the House committee on energy and commerce said the Muppet would be unwelcome on American TV”. (Article)

Last week, Sesame Street show executives announced they would ad a new muppet to their line of muppets that would be HIV positive. This muppet would be on the African version of Sesame Street, because one of every nine people have the virus in Africa. This was a very bold move by the executives, one that causes a lot of disruption and worry among everybody.

So are we ready for a character on TV being HIV positive? From what I remember, there has not been one character on television (and definitely not on children’s television) that has HIV, unless they are to die after a few episodes, or after a season. I don’t think that’s the intention of Sesame Street executives. I think they want this muppet to survive for a long time, to fight against this virus.

I have this feeling inside it’s not such a good move. I don’t think the world is ready for a character on television to be HIV positive. And even moreso, are children ready to see this on television. Sesame Street is aimed at an age audience of 2-4 yrs old. I don’t even know if they will be able to understand what HIV is. The show would have to like explain it every episode, or very often, otherwise, new children viewers would be lost.

While I do think children should learn about HIV at an age of influence, isn’t 2-4 a little too early? I’ve heard many time over and over that we have to teach our kids this stuff early to prevent it from happening. However, I think 2-4 is way too young. I guess kids that are older still watch the show, I know I did. I’d place the Sesame Street audience at 2-6 yrs old.

But the weird thing is, I’m not even sure the adult audience is ready for an HIV character on TV. Just thinking back, it took a long time for the television audience to prepare for homosexuality on television. I think it was the show Ellen that broke the ice. And now I think the only hit show with a gay person in it is Will and Grace.

But I also think adults should be ready for it. I mean it’s not such a bad thing to see on television. It’s just something someone has. Heck, how many times in the show do you have to mention it, it would be just like any other show. The one thing that would make a show with an HIV positive person on it suck, would be if they have to mention it every episode. Like that have to make this special thing about it every single time I watch the show, that would get me a little bothered.

So this article has US republicans saying that is it unwelcome on television in their country. First of all, what does the Department of Energy have to do with this? I think the Republicans have a point, that it’s risky having it on American television, especially to that young an audience. But on the other hand, will they understand it? Even if they don’t, that’s not the excuse/reason for putting it on the air. It may help them realize the existence a little sooner, and when they grow older, and actually learn more about it, they will have been exposed to it already a little. They have heard the term. So it might not be a bad idea, although risky, as they may lose some viewers because of parents, but I say go for it.

Current Events Today:
- Stock Exchanges down again, it looks like another tumble
- Ontario says they will arm their police with stun guns. They say these are perfect weapons, as it attacks the nervous systems to paralyzie for a second, with enough time to detain the accused. This will not kill nor harm them, just make them vulnerable for a short period of time.
- Canadians healthier, wealthier, but pessimistic. (Story)