Memorandum
- From
- Connor Quincy via fox - Most Popular
- Date
- Filed
- Culture·4 min to read
- Re
Ms. Rachel Faces Scrutiny Over Political Activism as Parents Weigh Screen Time
ReMs. Rachel Faces Scrutiny Over Political Activism as Parents Weigh Screen Time
Children's YouTube star Ms. Rachel has drawn criticism for her anti-Israel activism and far-left political messaging, raising questions about whether parents should let their toddlers watch her show.
Rachel Griffin Accurso, the children's entertainer known as Ms. Rachel, has become a flashpoint for parents after a series of political statements that critics say go far beyond her sing-along videos. Accurso, whose «Songs for Littles» program is a phenomenon among toddlers, has described herself as «political» and has used her platform to promote a range of far-left positions, according to a Fox News opinion column by Karol Markowicz.
The column argues that Accurso, who wears a pink headband and speaks in a sing-songy voice, has positioned herself as a new Mr. Rogers figure — a safe place for children while parents do chores. But Markowicz contends that Accurso should not be trusted with kids, citing her anti-Israel activism and other political messaging. Accurso has falsely described the situation in Gaza as a «genocide» and has pushed what critics say are debunked stories such as mass starvation in Gaza, the column states.
Beyond Gaza, Accurso opposes ICE, supports reparations for the descendants of slaves, and opposes the existence of billionaires. She has also weighed in on racially charged incidents. In the case of Nolan Wells, a Black teenager who died after a boat trip near Mississippi's Horn Island, Accurso said, «We know the investigation and everything that followed would have been different if Nolan Wells were White and his friends were Black. Nolan and his family deserve justice.» The column notes there is no evidence that police racialized the investigation.
In August, after a Black man was found hanging from a tree in Raleigh, Accurso said, «Please listen to the Black community. Black people don't hang themselves from trees.» The man had a history of mental health issues, and his death was ruled a suicide. She also commented on the death of British professor Jason Arday, saying, «Also, what the press did to Dr. Jason Arday. My heart is with the Black community. Please be an ally. You don't have to be perfect. But you need to listen, uplift, speak out and show up.» Arday was found to have plagiarized parts of his work at Cambridge University, and the press simply reported on the allegations.
The column also points to Accurso's program content. While «Songs for Littles» generally avoids overt politics, it has introduced a non-binary character, shown a Palestinian child with blown-off legs, and featured Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza, who has admitted to filming Palestinian crowds beating Israeli hostages after the Oct. 7 attacks and to purposely withholding the footage. Accurso has also invited trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney to appear on her program.
Accurso's comments on Gaza have sometimes slid from pro-Palestinian to plainly antisemitic, according to the column. She apologized after an outcry that she had «liked» a comment on her page that read «Free America from the Jews.» She had also entertained the possibility that Jews were leaving antisemitic comments themselves.
Last March, Accurso said, «I am political,» when describing her opposition to ICE enforcing immigration laws and deporting people who are in the country illegally. The column urges parents to believe her and remove her from their child's orbit. It cites the book «Stolen Youth,» co-authored by Markowicz and Bethany Mandel, which shares stories from parents who wished they had gotten involved when they saw their kids being led astray. The column concludes that it is very hard to un-brainwash children who have been ideologically captured by outside forces.
3
