Miami Herald, 7/12: Diversity committee flunks Barney video

[teach1st]

(Free registration is required to read the article online.)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12111492.htm

A music video that features Barney, Big Bird and SpongeBob singing a message of family and togetherness will not be distributed in Broward County schools, after members of a diversity committee deemed it objectionable.

Some members of the diversity committee said the We Are Family DVD, intended to teach tolerance to preschool and elementary kids, could confuse children about the difference between family members and strangers and open the door to discussion about sexual orientation.

'Even in the liberal group, they understand that these people are trying to mess with our kids' minds and introduce all kinds of activities in the name of tolerance,'' said Steve Kane, a radio talk show host and a member of the diversity committee, which voted 10-7 against the video in May.

...

The controversy stems not from any explicit mention of homosexuality in the video -- there isn't any -- but from its theme that people are all part of one big family, a message that, critics contend, could be construed to include pedophiles and other criminals. They also fear that the video could blunt other important messages for kids of that age, like the importance of being wary of strangers.

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[wakeme2008]

1. I like how the homopholes pull pedophiles out of the hat

to try to get "liberals" on their side. :grr:

[murielm99]

2. "open the door to discussion about sexual orientation"

God forbid that we should ever discuss sexual orientation!

How young is too young?

Doesn't it depend on the family, and whether or not they have any openly gay family members? What if the family has two mommies, or two daddies?

Why not just explain what homosexuality is when a kid asks about it? One of my kids asked me when she was nine. I told her. It was no big deal.

[teach1st]

3. Exactly...

God forbid we have an intelligent discussion about sex.

You know where many of my students seem to get their ideas about sexual orientation? Springer! Each year when we begin our sex education unit, the bulk of the questions in the secret question box are about topics recently covered on that show.

We hide our heads in the sand, we get sand covered-heads.

[acmejack]

6. I wonder where they get exposed to Springer?

Thats OK, but Barney is not-what in the world is these these folks problem. These people continue to amaze me with the issues they choose to pursue.

[teach1st]

7. They watch at home...

...way more than half raise their hand each year when I ask if they watch the show.

I usually do a few lessons about how TV isn't real life.

[quaway]

4. that's the point

when it comes to preschool age kids let the family handle the questions of the kids.

Now when the kids are in elementary school, and of the age of 7-8-9, then they can better understand sexuality and the different types of it.

before then it is a family matter to discuss

[fasttense]

10. quaway I saw a post by you on voter fraud telling us to "get over it" and

now you are quoting the repuke line about family values. Hmmm, maybe you should check out the free republic? Sounds like their opinions more closely match yours than DU does. But keep reading here at DU, you might learn something.

[teach1st]

13. That's the ideal...

I can tell you, though, that based on my experiences teaching over the years, that many parents don't meet this responsibility. As a result, the kids get their ideas from TV and friends. Often these ideas are way off.

The video in question apparently has little to do with sexuality except in the small minds of those who are afraid of anything that doens't fit into their narrow world view.

[Ian David]

16. There is NO DISCUSSION of sex or marriage or sexuality of ANY KIND

in this video or in the discussion material that accompanies it.

Anyone who says otherwise is a lying sack of crap.

Welcome to DU, and enjoy your stay.

[Ian David]

15. There is absolutely no discussion or depiction of sex in it AT ALL

What the fuck are those people talking about?

They're insane!

[RaRa]

5. Beyond stupid

"but from its theme that people are all part of one big family, a message that, critics contend, could be construed to include pedophiles and other criminals."

Yeah, my 4 year old was wondering if any of the folks in his Barney videos were criminals (like he knows what that is) :eyes:

[AverageJoe]

8. I love you; you love me....

In the first place, a message of love and inclusion is a very good thing, always.

In the second place, as they say at the beginning of a DVD my two year old has watched many times, "Children love Barney."

I was one of the smug people who used to make fun of Barney. That all ended after I became a father. Barney teaches many things, not the least of which is friendship based on sharing, teamwork and cooperation.

Barney's message is uniformly positive. It's up to parents and, to a lesser extent, teachers to leaven that message with whatever cautionary caveats they deem necessary.

These people are just stupid. No, they are well beyond stupid.

[teach1st]

9. The rejection of inclusion and unity...

..in the Barney video might also be a rejection of Christian ideals, if one were to take Jesus' message to heart.

[marmar]

11. Sounds like...

This has nothing to do with fear of kids going off with strangers...

"The controversy stems not from any explicit mention of homosexuality in the video -- there isn't any -- but from its theme that people are all part of one big family, a message that, critics contend, could be construed to include pedophiles and other criminals. They also fear that the video could blunt other important messages for kids of that age, like the importance of being wary of strangers."

... and everything to do with gay panic, or at least the fear of having to deal with one of those Focus on the Family-type groups.

[ChrisK]

12. Irony abound!

Most pedophiles or the act of pedophilia is by brought about by family members.

I've not seen the video so its not fare for me to comment on it but really, does one think there going to blur the line between " pedophiles and other criminals" by teaching people to be tolerant of others and there life styles?

I have this sneaking feeling the video didn't say to go out and offer yourself up to "pedophiles and other criminals"...more along the lines of respect those around you(Friends,neighbors,even family members)that live differently then you and don't be so close-minded to different life styles...pedophilia is not a life style..it's a crime.


Mr Kane seems to be the one blurring the line between crimes and life styles.

[Ian David]

14. I own a copy of this, and all I can say is, "WTF????"

We Are Family Foundation celebrates our common humanity and the vision of a global family by creating and supporting programs that inspire and educate individuals of all ages about diversity, understanding, respect and multiculturalism; and to support those who are victims of intolerance.
http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org/


"WE ARE FAMILY" SING-A-LONG
View the sing-along version of the "We Are Family" music video with a special introduction by Between the Lions.
http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org/DVDSneakPeak.aspx

Click Here to get your own copy
of the DVD
http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org/MusicalMessageDVD_Order.aspx

[msongs]

17. I thought Jesus likes "we are family lets be nice to each other" ... n/t

[donsu]

18. when did "tolerance" become a bad word?

'Even in the liberal group, they understand that these people are trying to mess with our kids' minds and introduce all kinds of activities in the name of tolerance,'' said Steve Kane

so Steve Kane thinks intolerance is the way to go?

activities in the name of tolerance - that's a GOOD thing

what kind of a person is this Steve Kane?

[mrdmk]

19. Who are these idiots, they do not know if you put a room full of

liberals together that would never 100% agree on anything!

[Deja Q]

20. If children bothered to retain what they learned:

1. Nobody would be making friends. EVERYBODY is a stranger at some point to somebody else.

2. See #1 and add that there'd be no future humans. People too paranoid to meet people to screw.

3. Sharing would be way of life rather than greed. Children are taught to share. But when they grow up they seem to find solace in acting like toddlers again...

Oh well. The human race is too large anyway. After peak oil, you bet the next civilization will be better.