On Friday, the much-loved long-running children’s show Sesame Street made a major announcement.
"Sesame Workshop unveiled today its first Afghan Muppet, Zari, a curious and eager six year-old girl, who will make her debut in season five of Baghch-e-Simsim – the local co-production of Sesame Street," reads the official press release.
"Zari, whose name means 'shimmering,' will be featured in new, locally produced segments that focus on curriculum topics like girls’ empowerment, national identity, physical health, and social and emotional wellbeing."
Naturally, even such an innocuous announcement couldn’t pass without a predictable heaping of Internet outrage.
Conservatives launched into a Twitter frenzy over what they felt was an attack on their version of American values.
— AM (@ArRuple) April 8, 2016
— Al Waisman (@Al_Waisman) April 8, 2016
— LogicallyKnot (@logicallyknot) April 8, 2016
— BARACKOLYPSE OBOLA (@CzarofFreedom) April 8, 2016
Many of those outraged seem oblivious to the fact that Zari will not be featured on American television.
— Melinda Elohim (@whitten_melinda) April 8, 2016
— ReggieEarl (@ReggieEarl) April 8, 2016
Of course, it isn’t just the idea of a Muslim character that sent right-wing conservatives into a tizzy this week. Following the release of the teaser for the upcoming Star Wars film, "Rogue One," many expressed outrage over the fact that movie’s protagonist is a woman.
— Mac Tíre (@Mac_Tire_) April 7, 2016
— Geek Girl Diva (@geekgirldiva) April 7, 2016
A predictable complaint, given the reaction from men’s rights groups to last year’s "Mad Max: Fury Road."
— J. Tonzelli (@JTonzelli) May 15, 2015
Will men ever grow up?
