Don't-Mess-Wit Sesame Street

By Joanna Miller in News on Apr 17, 2006 8:56PM

There’s been some debate lately over the “Sesame Street Thug,” or “Mess-Wit-Me Street” T-shirt lines. The shirts have been causing controversy, primarily in the south suburbs. T-shirts sold at an Evergreen Park mall feature “Sesame Street” characters in less-than-wholesome depictions.

Bert is nursing a 40-ounce beer in a paper bag, Ernie’s packing a semi-automatic, Big Bird is smoking joint and Oscar the Grouch, true to form, is flipping the bird. There are also shirts featuring a “Totally Frosted” Tony the Tiger who warns “Don’t Get High on Your Own Supply” and a Hamburger Helper hustler.

Students have been spotted at local schools wearing the shirts, and boycotts have been planned.

It’s been a couple of weeks since the T-shirts caused a stir, so, we admit, the news is a little old at this point, but not nearly as old as the inappropriate T-shirts on children phenomenon.

Each generation, at least in recent decades, has seen risqué T-shirts officially “designed for adults” end up on children. “Co-ed Naked Beach Volleyball,” anyone? “I’m Too Sexy for this Shirt?” Now that we’re technically “grown up,” we can wear our “Blow Me” T-shirts with pride without the risk of detention.

Our only advice to outraged parents and educators – and we see their point – is don’t get too worked up. T-shirts come and go pretty quicky. These shirts will be lucky if they warrant a 30-second spot on VH1’s I Love the '00s. Chances are, they probably won’t.

Images via cbs2chicago.com