Once upon a time I took our daughter to a Wiggles concert. You know… those skivvy clad people that dance and sing with a very young audience. I remember it as a very rowdy outing but great fun for all of that.
A few months ago The Wiggles announced a fresh line up of people to include not just gentlemen, but also some ladies as well. Included in the new line up are some people who happen to have come from a different ethnic background.
Here’s a couple of quotes that made the news.
“Fruit Salad TV seeks to inspire a diverse audience with its gender balanced and diverse cast,” the group said.
“Fruit Salad TV will endeavour to reflect today’s pluralistic society, and put a smile on the faces of children all over the world who see themselves reflected on the screen,” he said.
Now my question is not ‘Why the change, why the different skivvies or why the new line up?’ My question is… Why is this news? Is it really such a big deal? Are people from different backgrounds still not integrated fully, properly, healthily, completely into our everyday life and TV screens? And if not,… why not? Clearly we have a ways to go.
I look forward to the day when such an announcement does not have to be made and the transition just simply happens. There will be no need for press releases, glitzy photography or media launches.
Next question. Do you think the toddlers who will watch The ‘new’ Wiggles will really mind or even notice? That’s the beauty and innocence of youth. They are so much more accepting and welcoming than us old crocks. When did we learn to see people as different from ourselves and how do we permanently remove our fractured lenses?