By David M. Huntwork
web posted January 24, 2005
 The fight isn't over the lovable absorbent, yellow and porous sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea, argues Huntwork |
Unless you have been living in a cave the last few days you are aware of those wacky Christian Right nutjobs taking inexplicable swipes at the beloved cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants and the notion that we should all simply love and respect each other. What could possibly be wrong with that?
The answer, of course, is that the media has once again shown themselves to be completely inept in actually researching a story and attempting to behave as journalists. The reporting on this story has been little more than juvenile sneering and jeering from the sidelines while making no attempt to actually report what the story is about. Their lack of investigative and objective reporting is disgraceful as always, but perhaps not entirely unexpected. It has fallen instead to the world of bloggers, commentators and pundits to report what the media has chosen to bury, distort and ignore.
Despite the attempt by the his detractors to make this a Dr. Dobson vs. SpongeBob debate there is a little more to it than that.
From the outset, let's be clear that this issue is not about objections to any specific cartoon characters. Instead, Dr. Dobson is concerned that these popular animated personalities are being exploited by an organization that's determined to promote the acceptance of homosexuality among our nation's youth. – Focus on the Family Website
So where would such an idea come from?
The We Are Family Foundation produced a guide entitled Writing for Change coupled with a 'gateway' video featuring a myriad of familiar and beloved puppet and cartoon characters singing a rather benign modern rendering of the song 'We Are Family'. The guide was published in partnership with the Oregon State University Difference, Power and Discrimination Program whose mission statement reads: "The DPD Program works to create a more inclusive curriculum that addresses issues of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and other institutionalized systems of inequality. The Program provides faculty and staff with the training and resources needed to develop or modify comparative diversity courses."
A special DVD edition, accompanied by a teacher's guide, is slated to be distributed to 61,000 public and private elementary schools throughout the nation in a major push to encourage 'tolerance' and 'diversity'.
"The lessons aim to put the video's themes of respect, understanding and appreciation of diversity into practice and are designed for pre-K through first grade audiences with additional teaching guidelines for grades two to six". – We Are Family Foundation website.
On the surface this appears to most people as a harmless version of the old Biblical standard of 'loving thy neighbor' and that is exactly what the producers of this propaganda video and accompanying teacher's guide want you to believe. The insidious nature and true motives of this campaign are not immediately obvious but are easily revealed for what they truly are.
For 'not promoting homosexuality' the Writing for Change guide spends an amazing amount of time dwelling on the subject and having the teacher discuss with their young captive audience such appropriate and soul searching exercises as (remember these are for elementary school age children):
- Identify ways in which homophobia and compulsory heterosexuality are at work in your daily life.
- Find some examples of compulsory heterosexuality in your daily life.
- How are you affected by compulsory heterosexuality?
- How are you affected by homophobia?
- How would you be affected if your sexual orientation were different than it is now?
- How would others you know – friends, family members, classmates, members in your clubs or organizations – be affected?
- How will understanding these definitions change your thinking about compulsory heterosexuality and homophobia?
- Will this change any of your behaviors? If so, how?
Ah yes, the great evil of compulsory heterosexuality. Their definitions are enough to raise an eyebrow or two and aren't what you would have typically found in an episode of Mr. Rogers.
"Homophobia: Thoughts, feelings, or actions based on fear, dislike, judgment, or hatred of gay men and lesbians/of those who love and sexually desire those of the same sex. Homophobia has roots in sexism and can include prejudice, discrimination, harassment, and acts of violence.
Compulsory heterosexuality: Thee assumption that women are "naturally" or innately drawn sexually and emotionally toward men, and men toward women; the view that heterosexuality is the "norm" for all sexual relationships. The institutionalization of heterosexuality in all aspects of society includes the idealization of heterosexual orientation, romance, and marriage. Compulsory heterosexuality leads to the notion of women as inherently "weak," and the institutionalized inequality of power: power of men to control women's sexuality, labor, childbirth and childrearing, physical movement, safety, creativity, and access to knowledge. It can also include legal and social discrimination against homosexuals and the invisibility of or intolerance toward lesbian and gay existence."
Power of men to control women's childbirth?" I figured that a stroll through the We Are Family Foundation homepage would inevitably include a cloaked reference to abortion rights. That usually isn't far behind once someone strives 'to begin creating a language of equality and inclusion' and it wouldn't be complete without the usual radical feminist mutterings about 'institutionalized inequality' and 'hierarchal ranking in language'. It is something to see the cult of political correctness enshrined in all its glory. Though I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed the exercise suggesting 'gender-free, inclusive' terms for 'the founding fathers', 'man's best friend', and 'Friends, Romans, countrymen; lend me your ears'.
And I think it is safe to say that my children won't be signing the 'tolerance' pledge anytime soon.
The Tolerance Pledge
Tolerance is a personal decision that comes from a belief that every person is a treasure. I believe that America's diversity is its strength. I also recognize that ignorance, insensitivity and bigotry can turn that diversity into a source of prejudice and discrimination.
To help keep diversity a wellspring of strength and make America a better place for all, I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own.
Most Americans believe in tolerance, respect and acceptance, just not how it is defined by the far Left. I also believe in right and wrong and that a person can't just go through life with one's common sense and elementary moral judgement in a state of suspended animation.
Despite Dr. Dobson's somewhat poor worded initial statement singling out SpongeBob for special derision, he makes the valid point that those attempting to undermine the traditional family, traditional values and biblically based Christianity by using well loved children's characters and cartoons is despicable and should be exposed for what it is. The hidden motive behind the constant brainwashing mantra of 'diversity' and 'tolerance' is the acceptance and advocacy of homosexuality, gay marriage, 'alternative lifestyles', and the idea of Heather having two mommies being on an equal plane as the traditional two parent family. Divining the code words of the Left , let alone exposing their agenda, is not a sheltered occupation by any means as we have seen but absolutely necessary for those who wish to understand the politically correct agenda.
This entire debacle of Leftist psycho babble indoctrination can be viewed here. I encourage you to hold your nose, jump into the deep end of the culture wars and give it a visit. The PC police are on the march this spring and, using cartoon characters as their cover, they are coming to an elementary school near you. 
David Huntwork is a conservative activist and freelance columnist in Northern Colorado where he lives with his wife and three young daughters. He strongly believes in the importance of Faith, Family, and Freedom as the formula of success for a good life and a healthy nation. For a daily dose of Dave visit his blog dedicated to providing common sense news and commentary on global events, society, culture and the political landscape at www.conservativecitizen.blogspot.com. You may view his bio and past columns at: http://dkhunt.tripod.com. Feel free to contact him with any comments or questions at
davehuntwork@juno.com.
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