Peter I am proud of you. Saving archaeological artifacts and preserving cultures... GREAT.. Too bad we have wars.
Here's something for you to digest and please get back to me on this too. (:>))))
MEDIA
Spellings' Intolerance
Late last year, when the Department of Education highlighted the new PBS series
(http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/innovator/2004/1012.html) "Postcards from
Buster," it praised the show's embrace of different cultures: "And by learning
about different cultures, Buster also helps to show children what we all have in
common." But apparently the concept of universal humanity only extends so far.
On her second day on the job as secretary of education, Margaret Spellings, who
replaced a previous education secretary with little regard for our nation's
educators (http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/02/23/paige.terrorist.nea/) , has
condemned a not-yet-aired episode of the show
(http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/27/arts/television/27bust.html) because of the
title character's visit to the state of Vermont, where he spends some time with
Emma
(http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2005/01/27/fallout_from_postcards_decision/)
, an 11-year-old girl, and her two mommies.
THE HORROR!: Although the episode's "focus is on farm life," Secretary Spellings
rebuked the president and chief executive officer of the Public Broadcasting
System for exposing the nation's children to "such lifestyles." It is unclear
what is so offensive about the family's "lifestyle." Emma introduces Buster to
her mother and her stepmom, " whom she says she loves a lot,
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40188-2005Jan26.html) " and the
few glimpses the viewer gets of the family -- the parents are always a
background aspect of episodes
(http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/27/arts/television/27bust.html) -- show "
loving, moral, and committed
(http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2005/01/27/fallout_from_postcards_decision/)
" relationships. Furthermore, the episode actually revolves around teaching
children how maple syrup is made and the processing of milk from cows.
ERRING ON THE SIDE OF NOT AIRING: In a win for intolerance, PBS has chosen not
to distribute the episode nationally to its subsidiary stations, but claims the
decision is due to the sensitivity of the issue rather than the secretary's
objections. However, PBS officials -- including President Pat Mitchell -- had "
viewed the episode and called it appropriate
(http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/27/arts/television/27bust.html) " before
Secretary Spellings expressed her displeasure. Self-described as a "trusted
community resource," PBS used to herald itself for quality programming that had
the power to " inform, inspire and delight. (http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/) " For
seven straight years, its subsidiary stations have been " atop all broadcast and
cable networks for children's programming,
(http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/aboutpbs_awards.html) " winning 10 Daytime Emmys in
2004 alone. It is disheartening that a network that informs our nation's
children has now been pressured to accept the bigoted agenda of Secretary
Spellings (http://press.arrivenet.com/edu/article.php/570725.html) .
LOCAL STATIONS STICKING TO PRINCIPLE: Marc Brown, creator of "Postcards from
Buster," was understandably saddened by PBS's decision
(http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/27/arts/television/27bust.html) , and for good
reason: "What we are trying to do in the series is connect kids with other kids
by reflecting on their lives. In some episodes, as in the Vermont one, we are
validating children who are seldom validated." Emma is one little girl who the
Department of Education, in conjunction with PBS, has decided deserves to be
left behind. Thankfully, the show's producer, Boston-based WGBH, and other
individual subsidiaries such as WNET-TV in New York and KVIE-TV in Sacramento,
have recognized the value of such an episode and will be airing it in late
March.
EDUCATING OR PREJUDICING?: Secretary Spellings primly declared that "Congress'
and the Department's purpose in funding this programming certainly was not to
introduce this kind of subject matter
(http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/10733275.htm?1c) to
children." She provides no justification as to why. The funding to which the
secretary refers is the Ready-To-Learn program
(http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/edgrants.html) that
provides grants for "the development of educational programming for preschool
and early elementary school children and their families," and the stated purpose
of the grant program is to promote school readiness and literacy amongst
school-age children, a task which even the department has admitted "Postcards
from Buster" is more than up to
(http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/innovator/2004/1012.html) . And though
Secretary Spellings points to the law's statement that "any funded shows must
give top attention to 'research-based educational objectives, content and
materials,'" she makes no explanation as to why the "Sugartime!" episode does
not fit into these guidelines, as the format for this particular episode is no
different from previous ones.
EPISODE MEETS GOALS OF GRANT: Secretary Spellings also failed to address
additional wording in the grant that states, "Diversity will be incorporated
into the fabric of the series to help children understand and respect
differences and learn to live in a multicultural society." At a time when one in
three gay teens is threatened with a weapon while at school
(http://www.aclu.org/LesbianGayRights/LesbianGayRights.cfm?ID=10091&c=106) , it
seems that the educational programming provided by the "Sugartime!" episode
would certainly fall under the purview of the grant and be well worth the money.
Instead, the Department of Education continues to choose different spending
priorities
(http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=289156) .
SETTING UP THE CASE FOR CONSERVATIVE CENSORSHIP: In addition to criticizing this
particular episode, Secretary Spellings "asked PBS to consider refunding the
money it spent on the episode." That was not her only request.
(http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/10733275.htm?1c) She
also asked for the destruction of any symbol or statement "linking the
department to the show" and that the member stations be alerted to "the nature
of the show." She finished off the letter with an open-ended warning: "You can
be assured that in the future the department will be more clear as to its
expectations for any future programming that it funds." For now, the department
is more than clear as to whether bigoted ideology matters more than fruitful
education and true acceptance. |
