Ji-Young is a new
muppet
on “Sesame Street.” She is just 7 years old. She is Korean American. And she is making history. She is the first Asian American muppet on the TV show.
Ji-Young was seen on "See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special." It
aired
on November 25 on TV, cable and online.
Ji-Young spoke to the muppet Ernie in a recent interview. She explained that her name has special meaning. The two syllables each mean something. Ji means smart or wise. Young means brave or strong. “But we were looking it up and guess what?” she said. “Ji also means sesame.”
How Ji-Young Came To Be
Work on the new muppet began after 2020. That year a white police officer killed George Floyd. Floyd was a Black man. The event led to many protests. Also, there were more hate crimes against Asians. A hate crime is something hurtful done against another person because of their race. It could also be because of their religion or other things.
We wondered “how we might help," said Kay Wilson Stallings. She works with "Sesame Street." Their thinking led to the Coming Together show. It also led to the new muppet.
close up image of muppetZoom out
Ji-Young is the first Asian American muppet to appear on "Sesame Street." Ji-Young is Korean American and loves playing electric guitar and skateboarding. Photo: Noreen Nasir/AP
Teaching Children About Differences
Ji-Young will teach children to be "
upstanders
.” Upstanders stand up for people who may be picked on because of their skin color or other differences. Stallings hopes kids will learn how to be upstanders by watching the show.
Ji-Young wants to share her Korean culture with friends and neighbors on “Sesame Street.” She hopes to make some Korean food.
"I would love to try it," said muppet Ernie, who spoke with Ji-Young. "You know, I've tried bulgogi. I really like bulgogi." Bulgogi is made of thin strips of meat. The meat is quickly stir-fried or grilled.
Kathleen Kim is the
puppeteer
for Ji-Young. Puppeteers make puppets come alive in puppet shows. Kim is Korean American like Ji-Young. It’s a dream for her to be the voice of Ji-Young on “Sesame Street.” She grew up watching the show.
Kim hopes Ji-Young can help stop anti-Asian feelings. She wants to teach kids about race. She wants it to be normal to see different-looking kids on TV.
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Read the paragraph below from the article’s Introduction [paragraphs 1 to 3].
Ji-Young spoke to the muppet Ernie in a recent interview. She explained that her name has special meaning. The two syllables each mean something. Ji means smart or wise. Young means brave or strong. “But we were looking it up and guess what?” she said. “Ji also means sesame.”
What is the focus of this paragraph?
A
the ways in which Ji-Young is brave and strong
B
the meaning of Ji-Young’s name
C
the relationship between Ji-Young and Ernie
D
the new “Sesame Street” special
B
the meaning of Ji-Young’s name
HOW did Kay Wilson Stallings change after the protests of 2020?
A
She hired Kathleen Kim to be a puppeteer on “Sesame Street.”
B
She wondered what it would be like to eat bulgogi.
C
She decided to have Ji-Young replace Ernie on “Sesame Street.”
D
She wondered how “Sesame Street’ could help people.
D
She wondered how “Sesame Street’ could help people.
WHY did Kathleen Kim want to be a puppeteer on “Sesame Street”?
A
She wanted to work for a cable show.
B
She grew up watching the show.
C
She dreamed of working with Ernie.
D
She hoped to show off her cooking skills.
B
She grew up watching the show.