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“We are family” video being mailed
to local elementary
schools? Edgefielddaily.com web posted March 4, 2005 Staff reporting Currently the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) is preparing to mail “We Are Family” videos to over 61,000 elementary schools across the nation on March 11, 2005. The video, produced by the WAFF and based on the 1970's hit song, “We Are Family,” co-written by WAFF’s founder, Nile Rodgers features over 100 characters from children’s television. A teacher’s guide will accompany the DVD to encourage discussions after children view the video. The video will also air over the Disney Channel, PBS and Nickelodeon on March 11. WAFF claims to be promoting tolerance for categories such as race, gender, age, disabilities, etc., however the WAFF Web site openly promoted homosexuality as a normative lifestyle. There was a “Tolerance Pledge” that encouraged signers to pledge respect for homosexuality, and work against “ignorance, insensitivity and bigotry.” Others are not so inclined to believe that claim. Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman of the American Family Association (AFA), has issued a statement that said, “While there is nothing questionable in the video itself, the site included a teacher’s guide to use with the children to discuss the video that aggressively normalized same-gender attraction and same-sex marriage. There was also a recommended reading list for children and adults that included such illustrated children’s books as the lesbian tome, “Heather Has Two Mommies,” which discusses artificial insemination, and “Daddy’s Roommate,” which included an illustration of two men in bed together.” Wildmon says while everyone should promote tolerance, “a promotion of homosexuality should not be thrust on little children and unexpecting parents. It is absolutely wrong for schools to be used to promote the homosexual lifestyle.” The AFA states the WAFF web site ran a list of “allies” that, “virtually ran the gamut of homosexual advocacy groups: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network; Human Rights Campaign; National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; and Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians & Gays.” Following publication of the AFA article revealing the contents of the web site and the video, the controversial materials on the WAFF web site were immediately removed from public access. The only exception was the tolerance pledge, which was altered from its original format. Locally Merriwether Elementary Principle Gene Huiett says they have not received the video nor have they been informed they would be receiving it. He added, however, that they did receive a box of videos “back in October or around then” that contained about 10 or 12 tapes and related materials. “I gave a copy to our guidance counselor to take home to view it,” Mr. Huiett said, “the next day they brought it back and said this was not something we should be involved in.” Principle Huiett said he could not remember who sent the videos but remembers it came with a claim of “family” or “family values” being the basis of the contents. The videos were not the WAFF video set for release on March 11. Mr. Huiett said he called the company and had the videos returned adding that Merriwether Elementary, nor the school district that he knew of, had solicited the materials. Edgefield County School Superintendent Sharon Keasley said the school system was not aware of the shipment to Merriwether Elementary that Mr. Huiett returned and that, “it is not unusual for companies to send materials for us to preview.” She stated she was not aware of the materials from the WAFF being sent, although she would, “be on the lookout” for them in the event they are received by our local schools. Calls to other local elementary schools had not been returned at press time. The We Are Family Foundation has not responded to inquiries. The American Family Association provided permission for reprinted material used in this article and provided quotes and statements. Return to
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