Think about the last time someone incorrectly mimicked your voice... How did it make you feel?

How does it feel when someone outside of your race imitates the "stereotypical" version of your race's voice? 

This is what is happening with some of the children's programs on PBS kids. As a parent, science educator and a person of color, it is important to have authentic representations of people of color within the media, especially in the educational media space.

Recently, I have discovered that the following currently running PBS kids programs have characters of color voiced by white actors and there could be more, this is just what i've noticed:

Wild Kratts: Link to hear the voice of Koki

• Koki, Black female, voiced by Heather Brambrick in a black "accent"

Pinkalicious & Peterrific: Link to hear the voice of Mayor Martinez

• Mayor Martinez, Latina voiced by Rebecca Soler in a Latin "accent"

While it is wonderful that these shows are visually inclusive, it is also important that the folks behind those characters are also people of color. ALL of our children regardless of race deserve to hear the authentic voices of people of color and NOT imitations of such. This is essentially a type of modern day "Minstrel Show" which not only makes it inappropriate, but cruel and emotionally disturbing to viewers of color.

If you believe in equity in all spaces then I ask that you please sign this petition to not only highlight the issue, but as a call to action to 9 Story Media Company, WGBH and PBS Kids to replace the current voice actors with the most appropriate voice actors of color. 

Thank you