Sesame Street hosts town hall for kids to ask questions about racism

Sesame Street, the celebrated children's show, is hosting a televised event in which children and their parents can ask questions about racism in the United States, as the country grapples with the role that race and discrimination play in society.

In an opening clip, Elmo - the red Muppet who is one of the show's most beloved characters - speaks with his father, Louie, about the meaning of the words "protest" and "racism."

"Not all streets are like Sesame Street," the father says, explaining that protests allow people to work together "to make things better."

The father admits that protesters "are sad and upset. And they have every right to be, Elmo. People are upset because racism is a huge problem in our country."

Elmo also gets confused about why people would treat each other differently based on the colour of their skin.

Children asking

The event - coming in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota - is airing on cable news channel CNN and is taking place in a town hall format, which allows parents and children to ask Muppets and educational experts about their issues.

One child asked Big Bird and other "neighbours" in the show about why, if his grandmother had to protest for civil rights, his generation is seeing demonstrations again.

Sesame Street has done similar events recently on the coronavirus, in an effort to explain to children why they were staying home and separated from their friends, as well as the importance of hygiene.