# Ethnic tensions too much for Sesame Street.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethnic-tensions-too-much-for-sesame-street/121755>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [July 31, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethnic-tensions-too-much-for-sesame-street/121755 "2002-07-31T21:12:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethnic-tensions-too-much-for-sesame-street/121755/1 "2002-07-31T21:12:13Z")

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Sadly, it seems that the Middle East version of Sesame Street will no longer be showing Israelis and Palistinians (muppets or children) coexisting.

[(From _The Globe and Mail_)](http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/printarticle/gam/20020731/USESAN)

> [@](#):
>
> Some say it is no longer realistic to present a picture of children from the two sides living in friendship. Even the show’s name has been changed, to Sesame Stories, because a street where Israelis and Palestinians happily mingle seems far-fetched.
> 
> “It’s a different place than it was six years ago,” said Charlotte Cole, vice-president of international research for Sesame Workshop. While there will be no direct “crossovers” of the two cultures, the series will still offer segments from both sides, using children’s stories, to help show “they share a common humanity,” she said.
> 
> “In the first season, we were very much oriented in helping Palestinian and Israeli children realize they could be friends,” Ms. Cole said. “What we realize now is that if people can’t be together, they can’t be friends right away.”

Maybe it was a quixotic and idealistic project at the outset, but I’m kind of bummed to hear that they’re backing off. I know it’s wrong, but this chokes me up in a way that the litany of casualty figures doesn’t seem to, anymore. Loss of life has become a dreary routine-- this seems like a loss of _hope_. :([ul]\*Come and play  
Everything’s A-okay  
Friendly neighbors there  
That’s where we meet

Can you tell me how to get  
How to get to Sesame Street? \*[/ul]I never thought _those_ lyrics would make me cry.

[Here is an optimistic JTA story](http://www.jewishsf.com/bk980417/etsesame.htm) about the show’s beginnings.