said Manzano, who is of Latino descent. “And I think
I was successful as Maria because I never forgot
that there could be a little kid like me watching
television and forming ideas about the world.”
Over the years, “Sesame Street” has welcomed
many more. It became the first children’s
program to feature someone with Down
syndrome. It’s had puppets with HIV and in
foster care, invited children in wheelchairs, dealt
with topics like jailed parents, homelessness,
women’s rights, military families and even girls
singing about loving their hair.
It introduced the bilingual Rosita — the first
Latina Muppet — in 1991. Julia, a 4-year-old
Muppet with autism came in 2017 and this
year has offered help for kids whose parents
are dealing with addiction and recovery. So
important is the show that PETA recently asked
for the creation of a vegan Muppet.
“We are a mirror to society here even though
we’re dealing with birds and chickens and
monsters,” said Matt Vogel, the puppeteer who
portrays Big Bird and the Count and who grew
up watching “Sesame Street.”
When actor Will Lee, who played the grocer
Mr. Hooper, died in 1982, the show explained
death to children. When Big Bird lost his nest to
a hurricane, the community rebuilt his home. To
help kids after 9/11, Elmo was left traumatized
by a fire at Hooper’s store but was soothingly
told that firefighters were there to help.
“We see a need and we meet that need because
I feel like we have a voice that’s loud enough that
can do that — that can reach people and make
a difference,” Vogel said. “Our mission is to make
kids smarter, stronger and kinder and that those
lessons that we impart to them stay with them.”