Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

CPAC President Calls For PBS To Be Defunded After 'Sesame Street' Introduces Asian-American Muppet

CPAC President Calls For PBS To Be Defunded After 'Sesame Street' Introduces Asian-American Muppet
Samuel Corum/Getty Images; PBS

Matt Schlapp, the president of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) called for PBS to be defunded after Sesame Street introduced Ji-Young, its first ever Asian-American Muppet.

In a tweet referring to popular longtime Muppet Ernie, Schlapp called PBS "insane," adding that "we should stop funding you."


 

PBS is funded by member station dues, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and its for-profit subsidiary National Datacast Incorporated (NDI) in addition to pledge drives and donations from both private foundations and individual citizens.

PBS has aired Sesame Street since 1970 and the inclusion of Ji-Young is just another example of the show's long tradition of respecting diversity and promoting inclusion.

Ji-Young, Sesame Street's newest resident, is a seven-year-old Korean-American girl who loves to play her electric guitar and go skateboarding.

And in a recent interview with The Associated Press, Ji-Young, who will formally be introduced in the upcoming See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special, explained her name's significance:

"So, in Korean traditionally the two syllables they each mean something different and Ji means, like, smart or wise. And Young means, like, brave or courageous and strong."
"But we were looking it up and guess what? Ji also means sesame."

Many have accused Schlapp of racism and reminded him that Ji-Young's inclusion is simply Sesame Street doing what it does best.

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Schlapp's outburst is only the latest instance of conservative pushback against Sesame Street.

Earlier this month, Republicans lashed out when Sesame Street's Big Bird announced on Twitter that he'd been vaccinated.

In a tweet, Big Bird said that while his "wing is feeling a little sore," he knows the vaccine will give his "body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy."

Big Bird's announcement soon drew the ire of Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who has often been criticized for downplaying the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cruz claimed that the tweet was evidence of "Government propaganda... for your 5 year old," a claim echoed by other prominent Republican politicians and commentators, particularly those on Fox News.

Unfortunately, Big Bird wasn't the only Muppet to face blowback from conservatives who've railed against COVID-19 vaccines.

Over the weekend, Elmo, everyone's favorite furry red monster, was criticized after announcing that he and other cast members of Sesame Street had met with neurosurgeon and medical reporter Dr. Sanjay Gupta to discuss COVID-19 vaccines during a CNN town hall.

More from Trending

A grocery aisle shelf of Cinnamon Toast Crunch
OLIVIER DOULIERY / Contributor/Getty Images

Bacon-Flavored Cinnamon Toast Crunch Just Landed In Stores—And The Internet Is Not OK

Every now and then, a food brand will try something different in an effort to rejuvenate its products and hopefully attract new customers.

Sometimes these pay off handsomely, such as Peanut M&Ms, which are arguably more popular than the original.

Keep ReadingShow less
Archbishop Thomas Wenski; David and Rena Mourer visit the entrance to "Alligator Alcatraz"
Joe Raedle/Getty Images (both)

Archbishop Rips 'Alligator Alcatraz' In Powerful Statement Condemning Trump's Immigration 'Enforcement Tactics'

Historically conservative Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami issued an official statement on Thursday, July 3, addressing immigration enforcement tactics employed by the administration of MAGA Republican President Donald Trump.

Posted on the Archdiocese's website, it was also shared on the Archbishop's personal X account.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gavin Newsom; Nancy Mace
David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Gavin Newsom Hilariously Claps Back At Nancy Mace After Her Cringey 'Don't California My South Carolina' Debate Challenge

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace was widely mocked after she challenged California Governor Gavin Newsom to a debate—only for him to directly address her "Don't California My South Carolina' campaign with a list showing the stark differences between their two states.

Mace posted a video on X in which she extends a "FORMAL INVITATION" for Newsom to debate her "common sense policies," chiding him with the following message:

Keep ReadingShow less
office cubicles
Paymo on Unsplash

Things Toxic Coworkers Did That Made The Whole Office Go Silent

Workplaces have professional standards to maintain, or at least they should. While it's great to have fun in the office, there are some things that are appropriate during leisure time that aren't OK at work.

But some people never seem to get the memo.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump; Screenshot of Andrew Schulz
Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Flagrant Podcast

Trump-Supporting Podcaster Andrew Schulz Turns On Trump In Mind-Numbing Rant

Conservative podcaster Andrew Schulz had social media users rolling their eyes after he criticized President Donald Trump, saying Trump is "doing the exact opposite" of everything he promised during his campaign, like stopping wars and shrinking spending.

Which begs the question: why tf did Schulz believe a word Trump said during his campaign, since he is a well-known serial liar and con man?

Keep ReadingShow less