Cocoabsent? Representations of Race and Boyhood in Infant and Toddler Media
Author(s)
Roberson, Heather Moore
Date Issued
December 2022
Abstract
The hit streaming series Cocomelon has become a household name for many families with infants, toddlers, and kids at heart. Cocomelon introduces our youngest population(s) to a Western world that privileges flawed and utopian post-racial perspectives. I contend that the show presents a perspective on race and identity that glorifies color-blindness and ignores racial differences that would educate children about the complexity and beauty of diversity. This commentary imagines a Black infant and toddler boyhood in children’s media that prioritizes race, culture, and identity and recommends other children’s programs that invest in culturally diverse representations of childhood.
Journal
Boyhood Studies-An Interdisciplinary Journal
Department
Community and Justice Studies
Citation
Moore Roberson, Heather. "Cocoabsent?", Boyhood Studies 15, 1-2 (2022): 171-182, accessed Jan 19, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3167/bhs.2022.15010211
Publisher
Berghahn Journals
Version of Article
Published article
DOI
10.3167/bhs.2022.15010211
ISSN
2375-9240
2375-9267
Rights
© The Author(s) 2022
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
2022_MooreRoberson_Cocoabsent.pdf
Size
117.52 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
8591fa84b092e5d59474290f3626a061