Marginalized cultures want nothing more than to be respected and understood. Pro-social programming is a relatively painless way for the masses to ingest and digest the differences of other cultures. I believe that pro-social programming is important and should be used by those with a straight moral compass. In instances like "sesame street" they are using it to impact children in a positive way by teaching them how to count, read, and treat others with kindness. However there can be programming such as "Lil Bill" that some how use the pro-social teaching method to promote racial differences and internalizing feelings of inadequacy in young children of color. Dr.Banjo's story of the young boy describing what he learned from "Lil Bill" really stuck with me.
I also think pro-social video games could be the new wave of the future. If we can use video games to encourage children's participation and help them learn values in the mean time it could prove to be beneficial. The dilemma I see is one of values and control. If we are able to teach children how to spell from TV and video games what to say we can't also teach them alternative axiological, epistemological, or ontological viewpoints. The FCC ruling to demand 3 hours of educational television does not encroach on the 1st amendment because it if really just the government protecting the people from themselves.
