I learned that Sesame Street has also tackled issues such as military deployment, and that nearly one out of 25 children will face parental incarceration. Automatically, I wondered how those stats would translate for African American or Latino children disproportionately, and what that would mean for their families. Then as I speak to my colleague through social media of her experience as a formerly incarcerated woman now living free and still “locked” out of the privileges of society, she rightfully demands to know why people are willing to have sympathy for her children, but systemically disenfranchise her from being able to adequately provide for them.
Kudos to Sesame Street for acknowledging these little ones whose mothers, fathers, loved ones are locked up, and what that might mean for them. They are not alone, nor do they need to feel ashamed. Also, we need to look at the broader issue of incarceration as a nation, and how that has literally marginalized an entire segment of society into a lower class status by barring them from employment, access to housing, food, licenses, or voting. Discrimination against people with criminal histories is happening daily whether it is institutionalized or covert.
I urge you as an American citizen, as we stir up our new patriotism this fourth of July, to challenge the current system as it is, demand reform, on a moral and a fiscal level. It is for the improvement of our society and our humanity. Long live the land of the free. It is time we pursue a new American Dream, a dream of reform, a dream of sustainability and renewed hope, where people are allowed to move on from harms done. Let us be a nation of inclusivity and development as we guide people and give them opportunities to succeed so that hope can be reignited in the hearts of those who became afraid to take risks after the chance of denial became secure.