UTSA graduate is puppeteer for new Black muppet on ‘Sesame Workshop’
New character Wesley, father Elijah help to discuss topic of race on PBS show
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SAN ANTONIO – Five-year-old Wesley is a black muppet on “Sesame Workshop”, the nonprofit behind “Sesame Street” and was created along with his father Elijah to talk about race and racism along with the other favorite Sesame Street characters.
In a video made by the nonprofit explaining race, Elmo meets up with Wes and his dad at a park on a Fall day, where different color leaves are falling.
Elmo walks up to Wes and asks why Wesley’s skin is brown. Wes explains it’s because of the amount of Melanin he has in his skin. They have a heartfelt conversation explaining that even though Elmo is red and Wes is brown -- similar to the falling leaves -- side by side they look beautiful and are strong together.