Takalani Sesame

[Killerthewolfdog]

*an HIV-positive muppet

[Killerthewolfdog]

Why is everybody whining about HIV-positive muppet?! HIV/AIDS is a serious issue and I think kids really need to know about it. Like what tcool850, I think Kami is a good example to teach kids about it. People in Africa die from HIV/AIDS everyday. There are many children who have relatives who die from this. Hell, HIV/AIDS is in THE FREAKIN' USA. The USA, home of the biggest soccormoms/pu**ies.

[blue3616]

This is so inspiring/heartbreaking, I first read about Kami and her disease in Kevin Clash's book and I totally thought it was awesome, AIDS is a serious problem in S.Africa but it isn't something to be ashamed of and kids over there need to know about the disease and I think Kami is the perfect way to represent that, but americans can be soo narrow minded, yes AIDS is something you can get with a dirty needle, and something you can get with sex, which is why kids need to know the difference.

[daxmagex]

starting my tech hw early

[amber222cute]

Wow. Its because of these people in america that kids didn't know what to do when Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS. and yes, its true that not much was know about it at the time, but can you imagine how confused the kids in his school were, knowing he had AIDS and not knowing what that even meant? And now that we do know, we should teach them. Its the TRUTH. People shouldn't be afraid of it all the time.

[firdousny]

Brooklyn Tech Anyone? 

[purpleshamrock17]

cancer is prevalant in the US...what if the American Sesame Street came out with a Muppet that has cancer? Would people react the same way? OH THE HORROR of trying to teach people about diseases! I think Kami is cute and its good to teach kids about diseases like AIDS/HIV besides you dont get just fromm sex and needles.

[gothamchix]

i just love that the uploaders name is jay and silent bob

[08kemitc]

as a mother of a 10month old who loves sesame street i am happy that the ;people in Africa are teaching there children about HIV/Aids through sesame street. My daughter is half New Guinean and the statistics there about children with HIV is astounding!! I think that this little muppet Kami is teaching the children that not only is HIV dangerous but that children who have it are just as normal as other kids. In PNG children there are often orphaned or abandoned by family who have HIV/Aids. :(

[Zhavok]

I think it's important and completely relevant. Sesame Street has always been the leading show when it comes to showing all types of subject matter in our world. why should birth, death and disease be any different? it's not a perversion, it's just putting it out there in a way that children can understand and be aware of. it's unfair to keep them sheltered to these topics.

[tenchimuyo69]

"The reaction we got in the US blew me away"

Really? Sounds like bad judgement. 

[iTheTruth42]

She is so sweet. I think she was a great idea. Most definitely a valuable character.

[awesomeirlable]

Gee...I mean the republicans MUST have a point to oppose a move that's legitimately helpful and insightful to the cause. Let's look at the "helpful" things they've done.....that's right

[leviamenra]

you can also get it from a blood transfusion or be born with it.

[forgetregret009]

I actually worked in South Africa last summer... I can't believe they cut Kami from Sesame Street and how ignorant people can be.

Every child with HIV- has NEVER done anything to deserve their disease-they are usually given the disease through breast milk or have unfortunately fell victim to sexual assault. In countries with high HIV populations I don't see the harm in having a muppet that can relate to the struggles of those children in a way adults cannot.

[tpdhla07]

Where can i find the full documentary. This is a really interesting topic.

[DoyenOfDestruction]

Will they have born out of wedlock muppets next? Or maybe pregnant teenager muppets who can't go to muppet college because their black muppet lover left them and is in muppet jail because he doesn't pay muppet child support.

[thisisntme]

@DoyenOfDestruction How about ignorant trailer trash muppets that run for office because they went to a teabagger rally? Someone like you. Stupid son of a bitch.

[Cyaneus]

I really admire Sesame Street for being up-front with kids. AIDS and HIV are (unfortunately) relevant to a lot of kids, whether O'Reilly and his friends want to admit it or not.

[latequilera22]

For all the O'Reilly's out there, Kami's purpose is to teach children about HIV/AIDS. To help them understand and to know they are not alone.

[onemidnightgone]

It's sickening to know how close-minded people are in thinking that AIDS is still "the gay disease". I'd like to take all of those conservatives to Africa to see how these people suffer. It's important for Takalani Sesame to have an HIV+ muppet because HIV/AIDS is so prevalent there-- children have it. Kami is a way to show those kids that they're not alone.

[JasielMartin92]

Hey i watched this Sesame Street Special.

[MewBecki]

The recation to Kami in America just proves what little understanding Americans have about aids.

[Skibz321]

agreed does that fat guy even realise that in africa childeren DO get this terrible disease and not from "sex and heroin" its guys like him that give your country a bad name america

[flickersowner]

Eh? What's so bad about it? Who said anything about teaching sex or dirty needles, anyway? They just wanted to teach kids to overcome their lives as a those who had HIV/AIDS, duh...

[OogyTheMango]

What a wonderful way to help destigmatize HIV/AIDS. If the kids learn that it's not a taboo topic then they can grow up and spread the knowledge, get tested, etc.

[Myrules92]

That is some seriously heavy shit for kids.

But it's good. I'm glad they did it-- awareness of AIDS is more necessary at earlier and earlier ages.

[chansherly212]

go kami! i think she's misunderstood by americans, cos aids is so prevalent in africa, and not to talk about it, would be to ignore a very huge part of kids lives, because many kids have parents with hiv, or are hiv positive themselves, americans tend to immidiately think of unprotected sex, but there are so many other ways the disease is spread, especially with kids inheriting it from mothers

[mrsjazzywhitlock51]

I think she's cute!

KAMI FTW!

[metalstrat86]

Pat Buchanan's stance on how its "corrupt and perverse" is ridiculous. Parents dont tell their kids its from 'dirty sex.' Kids of 5 and 6 dont know too much about sex at all. For so long we have known that aids isn't a gay disease or only obtained though sex. Paramedics have been diagnosed with HIV because of contact with patients. Even more scary, it doesnt have to be through direct contact, you can get pulmonary AIDS though inhalation of blood particles.

[HomersIlliad]

Wow...This has to be the most poignant muppet skit I've ever seen.

[Yukinon19]

kami is awesome!! i think this is one of the best things that takalani sesame could've ever done, it just doesn't teach kids about HIV but grown people about tolerance!

[FlyleafFan14]

Most US people don't understand that it's more of a cultural thing; HIV/AIDS runs rampant in South Africa, and you don't just get it from dirty needles or unprotected sex. You can get it from a transfusion with infected blood (like Kami did). Even if you're in an accident with some who is HIV-positive and both of you are injured and some of their blood gets in your body through your injuries, you can get HIV. Plus, extensive research is being done to cure HIV/AIDS around the world. Go Kami!

[lublyannaline]

i really like how they did it :)

kami rocks!

[HootsytheOwl]

I wish people who are ill wouldn't have so much stigma. My friend had AIDS/HIV and was always such a lovely person. I met her when I was in hospital. No one at the hospital would room with Loretta but me. They sure missed out on making a wonderful new friend. I miss her. Maybe someday it will be different....may you continue to help children ( and adults) everywhere, Kami!

[tcool850]

They are so stupid, because there is AIDS/HIV in the United States, and they are shocked?? You know what FUCK THEM. I think Kami, is a great example, to teach kids about HIV/AIDS, because in Africa, there is many many many people who die everyday from this disease. They need to learn, to protect themselves in the future, to take care of themselves, to have sex with PROTECTION. I love Kami :) She is a great example. BTW, I don't have HIV, but I hope they find a cure.

[wonderoutloud]

--and also, kids are often born with this disease; or get positive blood transfusions, like Kami did.

[Mulder4life]

@tcool850 My boyfriend has it I love him and I hope they can find a cure too!

[SamGTA4]

Go Kami. I just found out about you and you blew away with the speech with Bill Clinton. Hell I just found out about you Kami and I already Love you and your spirit. GO KAMI!! :D

[rhysiebabie]

This clip comes from a documentary called "The World According to Sesame Street". It's available on DVD if you're interested in getting it. Available on Amazon or maybe even ebay.

[beaverboy96c]

Did this clip come from a documentary? Can anyone tell me the title? Thanks :)

[dannycabana]

I love the idea. Go Kami! :)

[Calabloc]

wow, man how many narrow minded people are there in this world... how can you be against something that is trying to help... i mean come on

Muppet Kami = EPIC WIN

American pundits (except for Stephen Colbert) = EPIC FAIL

[JayAndSilentBob2511]

Hey, now, and Jon Stewart.

[Calabloc]

totally forgot about Jon Stewart lol

thank you for reminding meeh

he is in the EPIC WIN section for sure lol

[StagJJ]

I'm sorry, what?!

The US are offended by Sesame Street in South Africa teaching kids about the most fatal disease in their nation, one that effects so many?

Removing the stigma and furthering education of aids is the way forward in Africa... but as usual the US officials figure it's unacceptable 'cause they can't see past their own countries ways.

[americanidol434]

i finished the My life as a furry red monster and i heard about this.

[ipodchik]

America is so stupid and dumb about certain things. Why would teaching children about AIDs be bad?

=___________=

[mixedking]

kevin clash said it best sesame street is used to teach children and what better way to do that then have a muppet that is hiv postive i mean some of thoose conseritive assholes are just terrible

[CheekTV]

Great Idea.

[JayAndSilentBob2511]

Thanks. You'd be surprised how many negative comments I have to delete.

[Chickengirl005]

i don't see any problem with the idea of teaching kids especially in South Africa about HIV+AIDS although i was a little creeped out by the clip cos the two characters were talking in those cheerful voices about the mother's death O_O; but i suppose if the mood was all sad and depressing kids wouldn't wanna watch that

[2020155]

ok kami was BORN with hiv/aids. and other childeren are too! so those who do should know about what this deise is, and those who don't should learn and atleast know that kids who do have it are normal. there is nothing scary about it!

[UncoProductions]

GO KAMI

dw Kami we've heard of you in Australia and we think you are AWESOME

[UncoProductions]

scary?? i'll tell you whats scary

every 8 seconds, a woman,man or child dies of AIDS.

And every day, 2000 children are born HIV positive.

thats scary

What they are doing is revolutionary!

[mizzsouthafrica]

morbid??

honestly??

haha!

well didnt seem morbid wen i watched it wen i wz younger

[mizzsouthafrica]

how is this scary?

i dont see why children should be so shielded by things that affect their countries and nearly everyday lives

i used 2 watch takalani sesame wen i was younger and i didnt feel scared but educated

yes the some children watchin will be young but children are not fools and dont c y this is pervesion...dats sum bs

i say keep kami!! stop complainin nd teach ur kids about aids b4 sum 1 else does....or evn worse...

[GetTheHook]

I don't see what the big deal is. It's not "perversion". Maybe children are too young to be learning about HIV but many kids have the disease.

America is so obsessed with censorship.

[JayAndSilentBob2511]

Yeah. What's interesting is that, because AIDS is much more of a problem amongst kids in Africa, they hardly even considered bringing Kami to America. These guys just assumed they would want to.

[Joe402]

lol at stupid people against this idea. I bet if a vaccine for HIV is ever made religious fundamentalist groups would oppose it because it would "encourage sinful behavior" or some shit.