Final anti-racism campaign spot developed by ‘Steven Universe’ creator Rebecca Sugar and Ian Jones-Quartey discusses the importance of changing the racist system by standing up and speaking up when seeing what’s unfair.
The fourth and final spot of the anti-racism campaign The Crystal Gems Say Be Anti-Racist launched today on Cartoon Network’s YouTube Channel and across the network’s social media platforms. Developed by Emmy-nominated Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar, and Ian Jones-Quartey, creator of OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes, the PSA aims at providing kids and families with productive ways to disrupt the common narratives about racism. The latest spot, Be An Ally, features Greg Universe (voiced by Tom Scharpling) along with all three Crystal Gems discussing the importance of seeing what’s unfair and speaking up in an effort to change the racist system.
Be An Ally was developed in partnership with the Institute for Healing Justice and Equity co-founder Dr. Kira Banks, a clinical psychologist whose research examines the experience of discrimination, its impact on mental health, and intergroup relations. Banks served as a racial equity consultant for the Ferguson Commission. Her vodcast Raising Equity explores what it looks like to intentionally raise children with an equity mindset – the knowledge and understanding of systemic inequities and to equip them to create an equitable society rather than accept the status quo.
“Allyship is about educating yourself, speaking up, and working for change,” noted Banks. “It's about being actively anti-racist.”
Each of the anti-racism PSAs has featured a different Steven Universe character. In October 2020, the first PSA, Don’t Deny It, Defy It, featured Garnet (voiced by Estelle) and focused on the importance of understanding how racism affects individuals and encourages audiences to not be racist. The second, Tell the Whole Story, with Pearl (voiced by DeeDee Magno Hall) premiered in December and explored how Black inventors, heroes, and leaders are often left out of history and challenges the viewer to ask themselves as they’re learning - who is telling the story? And, the third, See Color, with Amethyst (voiced by Michaela Dietz) was released in February 2021 and encouraged viewers to appreciate others without erasing what makes each of us different.
Viewers click here for links to the PSAs, as well as social justice organizations and additional tools and information.
Source: Cartoon Network
