Lupita on Sesame Street
Sesame Street has become synonymous with childhood wonder and knowledge. For generations, the show has offered learning of ABC’s and 123’s through songs, activities, and the like. But outside of these key lessons, Sesame Street has made it a point to showcase diversity. Celebrities, the child actors, and even the puppets themselves gave young viewers faces that looked like theirs.
One of the latest new faces is that of Lupita Nyong’o. As a dark-skinned actress, Nyong’o’s rise to fame wasn’t one she expected since “her aesthetic is not-as-mainstream.”
The recent Oscar winner and star of 12 Years a Slave linked arms with Elmo for a song celebrating skin color.
“Skin comes in lots of beautiful shades and colors,” Nyong’o says after Elmo notices she’s a “beautiful, brown color.”
And what better person than Nyong’o to talk to children about loving their skin? Nyong’o has been quite open about her own issues growing up as a woman with dark skin, and her mission has been to encourage everyone to embrace their God-given hues.
Over the last several years, Sesame Street has found new ways to highlight the beauty of black culture. From hair to skin, Sesame Street has its bases covered when it comes to educating black girls and boys on loving themselves.
