January 28, 2005
Att'n: Ms. Pat Mitchell, PBS President
Dear Ms. Mitchell:
Over and over we hear about "family values" and the "homosexual agenda." "Postcards From Buster" depicts the highest ideals of American family values, American cultural diversity, and American inclusivity. The show reflects our nation's core beliefs such as "all [people] are created equal" and all "have inalienable rights." This is precisely the "homosexual agenda" that so many claim is harmful to our children--intrinsic equality and basic human rights.
Just yesterday our children learned about kosher foods and other Orthodox Jewish traditions. They have learned about Cajun culture and cuisine. Through the show, they have met children and families reflecting a potpourri of ethnic and racial identities from all over our country. We believe "Postcards From Buster" is one of the most valuable new shows on TV.
But recently, you first postponed, and then cancelled, an episode of the show because it depicts a family that is parented by two lesbian moms. Clearly this is censorship, and it is wrong. What happened to our basic civil rights and freedoms? What happened to parents being able to choose what their children watch on TV? If it isn't available on TV, then where is the option for parents who want their children to be educated about the wide variety of ways in which people are different?
There is much on TV that we, as Christian mothers, have to protect our children from. We shield them from exposure to violence. We try to prevent them from hearing language that is not used in our homes. Now we must protect our children from those who would take away our civil rights. We must protect our children from narrow-mindedness and prejudice. We must protect our children from those who would restrict their growth and education regarding the wondrous cultural diversity that is ours to share as members of the American family.
We strive for our children to live in harmony with the medley of peoples that are their neighbors and friends, acknowledging and respecting everyone's individuality as well as their cultural identity. Viewing a show that has Muslim families, Christian evangelical families, divorced families, or gay families will not make our children Muslim, evangelical, divorced, or gay. Children today are smarter than that. Sooner or later they will figure out the awesome diversity of our global village. It is our hope that our children will overcome the biases of previous generations and reach for "the patriot dream that sees beyond the years." With liberty and justice for all, our America the Beautiful may one day be "undimmed by human tears."
Sincerely,
Rev. Nancy L. Giese, Chair of Program Committee
Rev. Vivian R. Waltz, Chair of Communications Committee
Rev. Peggy R. Gaylord, Co-Spokesperson
National Council Members of Affirmation:
United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns, Inc.
cc: Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education