Steven Universe is back and they’re here to teach you and kids everywhere about racism and being anti-racist.
We recently saw the conclusion of Steven Universe‘s run on Cartoon Network, but it seems like the popular animated series isn’t quite done with us just yet.
Series creator Rebecca Sugar and former co-executive producer Ian Jones-Quartey have teamed up to produce a new Steven Universe-themed PSA that tackles the very timely subject of racism, how it hurts people and teaching folks on how not to be racist.
It’s not that unusual to see something like this involving Steven Universe as the show was always big on diversity and inclusion. But nothing has been quite as explicitly shown as this PSA.
Titled ‘Don’t Deny It, Defy It’, the PSA is one of four that will be released every two months and aims to teach kids all about being anti-racist.
This specific PSA shines the light on Garnet, who interrupts a kid taunting two boys – one Black and one while – for holding hands and suggesting they should get married one day.
In a slight tonal shift, the “cameras” stop rolling and Garnet steps out of character to speak with the kids about how denying the existence of racism is nearly as harmful as racism itself.
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The whole thing is simple, straight to the point, and doesn’t tip-toe around the issue of racism, which is refreshing given how some people are still so iffy about talking about it.
And it’s extra fitting that Garnet is the character to be teaching this lesson as she literally embodies inclusion and loving other people because of their differences.
One thing’s for sure, ‘Don’t Deny It, Defy It’ has set the anti-racism PSA bar super high and we’re keenly looking forward to the upcoming batch of Steven Universe PSAs that are dropping in the coming months.
Check out the anti-racist PSA by Steven Universe:
