Kami is a staple character on the Nigerian and South African versions of Sesame Street. Sweet little Kami is supposed to represent a young girl you is HIV positive. Kami is a good character for these versions of Sesame Street because HIV and AIDS is a huge problem in Africa. Millions of men. women, and children have been infected by HIV or AIDS. The research has shown that Kami has been a very positive influence on the children in South Africa and Nigeria. However, this week's question is "Would a character like Kami be helpful/appropriate for the US version of Sesame Street?"
My answer? Helpful, yes. Appropriate/Necessary, no. Yes children need to understand how HIV and AIDS are transmitted and how they cannot be spread through hugs or sneezes. It is also important that we let go of the stigma that people with HIV or AIDS are either gay or some kind of drug-addicted convict.
In the 80's and 90's Ryan White received a blood transfusion that was HIV positive. Ryan, only a young boy at the time, became infected with the disease. He was tormented by not only his peers, but adults as well. Rumors circulated that Ryan was gay. The school administration didn't know how to handle Ryan either. He was separated from the other children as if he would infect them by his presence alone. If we taught children about HIV and AIDS people would be able to let go of the untrue stereotypes that still plague the people who suffer from these diseases.
However, because HIV and AIDS are not as prevalent in America as they are in countries such as South Africa and Nigeria it is not necessary to have Kami on our Sesame Street. Although I do believe that it is necessary to educate children on HIV and AIDS, I do not believe it is necessary to do so at such a young age. Like I previously stated, this is because HIV and AIDS are not as big of a problem in the US as they are in other areas of the world.
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