I was on Sesame’s set: Why the Elmo hack hurts so bad

There have been many antisemitic hacks and attacks. But putting words of hate into the mouth of a furry, friendly children’s TV star – this touched a particular raw nerve. Yes, the cowardly hackers who hijacked Elmo’s X account crossed a big furry red line.

I’ve been thinking about why,  exploitation of our Sesame Street hero resonates so much, even though every such act is vile. Or at least it does to me as a huge Sesame fan, and as a journalist whose best day ever was spent on location with the Muppets in Jerusalem. But I do believe that many of us are feeling this.

Part of it is that everything linked to our childhood—and not just our past—is especially emotive, and full of emotion. That’s why we feel so strongly about chocolate. And our favorite sports team. And so much more.

But Sesame Street isn’t just part of childhood. It’s always been an oasis. A place where the unfairnesses of the world are put on hold. Where the quarrels and intolerances everywhere else are absent. Where everyone gets along and learns to accept each other, whether they’re humans, giant yellow birds, or even grouches who live in a trash can.

And it’s not just an oasis but a universal space. There are many localized Sesame editions, and they reflect the same values of unity, inclusiveness and hugs, never of hate.

I guess what we are feeling, collectively, is that if even Elmo is now fair game, then everything and everyone is. Even if it means exploiting a squeaky voice of love that benefits everyone in this universe.

They say don’t meet your heroes because you may be disappointed. Well, I can tell you that I met the Muppets and they were more brilliant than I could have imagined. The day I got to spend on location with the Sesame crew some years ago was magical.

Embed from Getty Images

The people and the puppets spent the day in Jerusalem, talking to children from different backgrounds. Filming with them. Finding time for tolerance in a city so often – too often – defined by conflict.

I got to talk to Grover. When we parted, I took him by the hand, or paw (I’m not sure which is right and don’t want to be muppetly incorrect). It was a Friday afternoon. We were standing in front of the Western Wall, and I said Shabbat Shalom. And as I shook his hand, I really felt, in the company of a Grover, that Shalom – peace – was possible.

Danny Labin, then-executive director of international “Sesame Street” productions, spoke to me about “Muppet diplomacy.” He defined this as using “the power of Muppets to communicate with children and give over messages that are difficult when given over by an adult – messages that promote goals of global diversity.”

While that Shalom I had on my mind might not be our reality, that’s a mindset – and a possibility – we want to keep alive for our children. Anybody who exploits their innocence should be ashamed.

Ironically, those who committed the hack are the real puppets in this story. Puppets having their strings pulled by whatever propaganda is inciting this kind of hate and pulling their strings. Whether it’s coming from Iran, from Hamas, or anywhere else. The foot soldiers of hate are the real puppets today.

A while after spending time on location, I went to a Sesame studio where they were editing material. A member of the Sesame team spoke about how the average child already has prejudice ingrained – opinions about “the other” – by a young age.

They talked about how, in many respects, the show is an inoculation against hate, against division, against prejudice.

I learned a lot about love and about education through my encounters with Sesame heroes. And I’m thinking now that we should respond to this hack exactly like a Sesame Street star would: observe its utter absurdity, seize the educational opportunity of doing so, state the lesson we learn clearly, and radiate love.

The rabbis of the Mishnah asked: “Who is wise?” and answered: “One who learns from every person.” I’m up for learning from Muppets, too.