Sometimes a mutual on social media posts something that makes you clarify your position even more. Personally , I don't think that dr...
Sometimes a mutual on social media posts something that makes you clarify your position even more.
Personally, I don't think that drag entertainment belongs in schools. I like drag entertainment. I have since my childhood years when I watched Bosom Buddies, MASH, and Rupaul.
Not to mention one of my favorite characters on one of my all-time favorite sitcoms is Shenanah from Martin.
I'm also a Mom. When my child was young, I was notified of nearly every school visitor ...in writing. Just like my Mom was when I was a girl. Speakers came to the school regularly, Ronald McDonald, the state lieutenant governor, the Tumble bus, all kinds of safety animals, firefighters, etc...
When I was in school, dentist offices came through regularly to teach us how to take care of our teeth.
In fact, so much of what I learned came from school guests:
fire safety,
Montel Williams Mountain Move talk,
Up With People
US Military
D.A.R.E.
M.A.D.D.
RIF (Reading is fundamental)
birth control (I know, very controversial)
More Lessons from Our Youth
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So, while I personally don't believe that contemporary drag is the best use of time and resources for school-aged children's education; I realize that some folks do.
And, despite the younger generations thinking that the more mature demographics have never seen controversies like these, most of us have vivid recalls of the clashes in belief systems.
One of my very first school memories is learning that not all children come from families that celebrate Christmas. No Christmas?!? How???
"You don't get gifts? No toys for Christmas?
"What do you do on Christmas morning?"
"If Santa knows the name of every boy and girl, does he just not leave them anything? But they haven't been bad?"
It all sounded like a holiday story that starts tragic but should end with kids getting toys on Christmas.
I remember making Christmas ornaments, gingerbread houses, and macaroni picture frames. Meanwhile, a couple of my classmates made similar parent pre-approved projects without any inklings of Christmas.
That was my introduction to the application of 'inclusion' outside of the family.
We learned to respect people's beliefs and boundaries.
I learned that everyone could participate in activities at the same time.
School encounters like these taught me that everyone can be included in an event or activity as we celebrate differences.
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Writing in Boundaries and Safety
Thinking of all of this inspired me to write more about guidelines that I think we can all agree on. Every school should have universal guidelines that apply to every individual or group who wishes to come to speak to children.
1. Permission slips and timely notification to parents/caregivers is a must. Participation in the activity should not be required and children shouldn't be punished for it in any way.
2. There must be a dress code. The male drag queens that are going into schools to read to kids in recent years aren't dressed like Mrs. Doubtfire or Tootsie. Recent video and other media depict males reading to groups of children while as they are dressed in some especially racy clothing.
Further, if the children have dress codes, anyone coming in to speak to them should have one too.
So, this is an automatic rejection.
‘Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey’ Library Performance – Military Veterans of Disqus
3. There must be background checks (child abuse registry check, previous sex offenses...) by a reputable third-party organization on all persons who come into the school to speak with children. No exceptions.
No background check, no school entry to talk to children.
4. Each group should be provided with a detailed list of what is prohibited. Each group must understand that it is important to refrain from using language with or act toward a child in a way that is inappropriate, offensive, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate.
5. Teachers and trusted adults should always remain with children.
6. No visitor to the school should ever give a child any "gifts". No edibles, electronics etc. Further, if the group leaves the children with something it should be pre-approved before being handed out to the children.
And these are just starters. Parents, Teachers, and School Administration should all have extensive talks about this. It is critical.
CAUTION: When one controversial group comes into a school, other controversial groups who may have previously been kept out may make a legally convincing case to be allowed to access students. Even more reason to have guidelines that apply universally to every outside group or individual.
Chesapeake parents worry "Satan Club" could lead to harm (wtkr.com)
‘After School Satan Club’ sparks religious freedom debate in Virginia | WGN-TV (wgntv.com)
'After School Satan Club' causes a stir at California elementary school (msn.com)
After School Satan - Wikipedia
CAUTION: When parents are trying to be diligent and safe, they are always accused of being "too strict", "mean", or "overly religious". I tell parents that one of your main jobs is to see to it that your children make it to adulthood physically, emotionally, and mentally safe.
Not everyone will agree with you, but our job as parents is to parent not rack up meaningless congeniality kudos from fellow adults.
Never be afraid to offend when it comes to a child's safety. Access to children who aren't your own is not a human right. Hiding and pretending not to see things that may be harmful to children makes you a complicit coward.
FYI....I don't even like these racist platforms highlighting the gaps in child safety. We got to get it together. There is only one team in child safety....#TeamChild.
*If you know of any non-racist, non-sexist, non-homophobic platforms that do fair and objective analysis of child safety...PLEASE let me know.
Update: Thank you for the feedback. You all helped me find some everyday decent folk who are also #TeamChild!💜💓
WE are out here everywhere!
WE just need to connect with one another.
@scoebroe72 #StopSchoolGrooming #NoMoreTransBull #NoMoreDragStorytime #LeaveChildrenAlone ♬ Smoked out Phonk - TREVASPURA
@brian4liberty #stitch with @gays.against.groomers #brian4liberty #fyp ♬ original sound - brian4liberty
@josephdaldrich #dragqueenstorytime has a pedo problem. #drag #lgbtq #fyp #foryou #viral ♬ original sound - Joseph Daniel Aldric
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