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."
What race is Ernie is Bert? You are insane PBS and we should stop funding you. https://t.co/iHyGYJvG5l
— Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) November 15, 2021
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.
Who the fuck cares? Sesame Street has always taught kids about diversity and racial equality, how is that controversial? Assholes like you complain about cancel culture, but when you try to cancel a kids show over this you really hit rock bottom. Hypocrite! https://t.co/iTame0YV8J
— DaxterOrangeLightning 🦊⚡ (@LightEcoOttsel) November 18, 2021
Imagine calling a publicly funded network insane because they want to teach kids to not hate and be racist against a group of people that are a legitimate part of the public? Hope those 5 kids of yours are openly ashamed of your crusty ass. https://t.co/ew7TKRytKD
— Vocal Aggression (@John_TWITWOW) November 18, 2021
I don't even understand how someone gets from the first quote tweet to here. I cannot even begin to fathom the level of racism and stupidity it takes to be outraged by a sesame street puppet.
will these people fucking go all the way the fuck away already? https://t.co/NJ4Rnvcjbe
— Meemee Cooper 🖤 #CancelStudentDebt (@fappyendings) November 18, 2021
TFW insane guy living off the funding of others loses his mind about a Muppet designed to represent Asian Americans refers to near everyone but himself as insane people who should not longer be funded.
Oh, the #Projection.
Zero Self-Awareness? Party of one? Your table's ready. https://t.co/fteeSun1g9
— The True North Eager Beaver Podcast - Do Democracy (@TrueEager) November 17, 2021
Inclusion is what America is about, Statue of Liberty- “give me your tired, your hungry...", remember Matt?🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/deBQ2eB0AC
— Richard Vincent (@Richard79797173) November 17, 2021
Just imagine having a political identity that is so easily triggered by an Asian muppet. Holy fuck. https://t.co/kdbekBOe3n
— ExquisiteRed 🎮MechWarrior 5 (@ExquisiteRed) November 17, 2021
It looks like they're afraid of fictional characters on @sesamestreet... Again. https://t.co/KxW3Kcld6C
— What is the GOP afraid of today? (@gop_cowards) November 17, 2021
Psst - they are puppets, Matt. Just puppets. https://t.co/5sQimKeqK3
— ⚖️ THEE Heidi-Silence is Complicity 🐝🐝🐝 (@heidijerry) November 17, 2021
White racist triggered by the existence of an Asian muppet https://t.co/M7LptxQ53O
— 🍕🏴☠️Blue Wisco🏴☠️🍕 (@Wisco) November 18, 2021
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.
