Anti-Bullying ‘Mix It Up Day’ Targeted By American Family Association For Pro-Gay Agenda

Read more at www.inquisitr.com...

“Mix It Up at Lunch Day” sounds like a great idea to combat social and interpersonal issues in school children by encouraging kids to, for a day, include all and sundry in their social interactions in school, but the American Family Association has struck out at the anti-bullying initiative as a veiled promotion of the “homosexual agenda.”
Read more at www.inquisitr.com...

I'm bothered by how this seemingly progressive "teaching tolerance" is being ridiculed as somehow "pro-gay."

I heard about this on Here and Now on the radio yesterday, and found this article this morning. Thought it might be worth ATS's attention.

Do you all think it's a good idea to have kids interact with "others" at least once in a while? Or is it best to let them segregate themselves into the "cools" the "nerds", the these and those?

School was very hard for me, I was not in any "cool cliques", and was affected by bullying, rejection, mockery, nasty gossip, and other vile behaviors of children.

While on some level I believe it is normal, and "natural" for people to gravitate towards "their own kind", I think it's also important to be able to converse with "others."

When I was in a low-level supervisory position in the corporate world, I chose usually to sit with co-workers from other parts of the world and try to learn about their backgrounds, because to me it was interesting.

Most of the middle- and upper-management people always lunched together, coordinating their timing to the cafeteria. I was on an earlier shift, and had already worked among the "front-lines", and knew many of them. So, even as a supervisor, I dined with "foreigners" and learned a great deal about their cultures, backgrounds, opportunities, etc.

Likewise, people lunched with others from their "division" of the company, whether Maintenance, Culinary, Accounting, Sales, etc. Generally always roamed in packs. Not much different than school.

I didn't feel comfortable doing that, probably because it seemed "snobbish" to me.

Whether from Finland, Ethiopia, Somalia, Jamaica, Guatemala, Mexico, Italy, Filipino, Cambodian, or even just Americans who didn't come from a background like mine, I enjoyed getting to know other employees. I think it's weird that the AFA is trying to twist this notion into some kind of "indoctrination" and "sullying" of their kids by promoting tolerance and acceptance of others.

As soon as the initiative began, however, there was pushback from the American Family Association, a group that believes ”Mix It Up at Lunch Day” is a secret gay threat out to teach our kids to be gay by being nice to people. Or something.

AFA’s Bryan Fischer defended the “not a hate group” for its anti-anti-bullying stance, saying:

“The reality is we are not a hate group. We are a truth group … We tell the truth about homosexual behavior.”

Fischer continues:

“Anti-bullying legislation is exactly the same … It’s just another thinly veiled attempt to promote the homosexual agenda. No one is in favor of anyone getting bullied for any reason, but these anti-bullying policies become a mechanism for punishing Christian students who believe that homosexual behavior is not something that should be normalized.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Maureen Costello said she was shocked by the bizarre attack and that the framing of Mix It Up at Lunch Day was based on lies:
“I was surprised that they completely lied about what Mix It Up Day is … It was a cynical, fear-mongering tactic.”

Do you think reaching out to kids on the lunch table level can help stop bullying and prevent suicides?

I wonder, too, the same Q asked at the end of the article (quoted above)....
what do you think, ATS?

There is no such thing as a "homosexual agenda". The only agenda is that gay people want to be treated as equals in society.

I'm sure when the civil rights movement was at full steam that there were bigots calling it the "inter-racial agenda" as well.

It's nothing more than a regressive mindset.

reply to post by wildtimes


I know it can make a difference! I went to both kinds of schools, the "sit with your kind or die" type, and the "sit where you like it's good to talk to different students every day" kind, as dictated by the students themselves in both cases.

The first school was hell, tons of fighting and bullying and cliques; The second was bully-free, you did NOT bully unless you wanted a pack of rabid cheerleaders descending on you.

The first - Every attempt at stirring the pot did help, in my time there. From sitting at the cheerleaders table to protest their exclusion of a former friend who had suffered brain damage in a car wreck, to inviting new/foreign students to my table, etc. It all DOES help and schools can have an overall "vibe" of friendliness versus exclusion.

Can you IMAGINE how nice it is to know the most popular and well-off students have your back?

Well, I'd disagree with the notion of there not being a Homosexual agenda. Those without agendas don't have parades and days in the honor of that which "nothing is about". Kinda like the line from GI Jane about how people wouldn't be making statements about not making statements......if that wasn't a good part of the point.

Having said that, heck..if the topic isn't somehow highlighted as the purpose of the event and this is a general anti-bullying effort for that behavior on all motives, then I say GOOD!

The OP is right about there being nothing wrong with breaking kids out of their cliques once in awhile. I was on the good and bad side of that at different schools growing up and in hindsight can't condone some of what I did as part of a group. It was tame by today's standards but was cruel and mean spirited and heck, discouraging that is a very good thing to be working toward!

...with that little side note about the anti-bullying not becoming a political thing when the victims probably don't feel much different between gay or not when a bully has singled them out to terrorize.

You can't force people to co-mingle and expect it to pan out very well. If anything, I feel, that this would see an increase of bullying, rather than the opposite.

Everyone had a hard time in school at some point. I don't understand why it is public organizations (or the government) business to force children (or anyone) to do anything, they're just digging their hands deeper into the pockets of average citizens on the pretense to end bullying, when that is not possible.

The agenda is to take your money, it isn't homosexual.

The war on bullying is about as useless as the war on drugs, the war on terrorism, and the war on poverty (in the united states). Might as well just cut another percentage out of your weekly paycheck and go to the casino, at least in that you have a small chance of seeing a return.


Peace.

reply to post by maus80

Can you IMAGINE how nice it is to know the most popular and well-off students have your back?

Yeah, I can imagine it. But that's all I can do, because it didn't happen that way for "my back."

------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the responses so far, I appreciate the commentaries!

It really seems to me, the older I get, that it doesn't change. My daughter just finished University; I had the opportunity to hear about some of the cliquey stuff and the snobbery going on among those young adults. Much like high school. But what really blew my mind was how the parents of those "snobby" kids were even snobbier and more overbearing...

long stories, but....yeah. We'd like to think that adults outgrow such cliquish behavior, that bullies turn nice, that mean girls stop being mean.....unfortunately, in my experience, many stay stuck in those "social circles" and attitudes no matter how many birthdays go by.

I think it is important to teach kids to be open-minded and approachable, and that it's okay to approach "others" to do so. Kids with "helicopter parents" who are bent on "sheltering" them from the world's many peoples aren't doing them any favors. In my opinion. It just promotes the divisions we have, and misunderstanding based on stereotyping and questionable "educations". We need to really open a dialogue with people to learn what they're about.

We can't just go by what our "own" say about others; we need to hear what others say for themselves.

Originally posted by QUANTUMGR4V17Y
You can't force people to co-mingle and expect it to pan out very well. If anything, I feel, that this would see an increase of bullying, rather than the opposite.
Peace.

edit on 16-10-2012 by QUANTUMGR4V17Y because: (no reason given)

Not necessarily. The comedians often force our way into the meaner social circles in high school through laughs. We know all about disarming snobs, bullies, elitists even. Aren't there like a million teen movies about this? It isn't until forced exposure that the story turns around.

Originally posted by 3chainz
There is no such thing as a "homosexual agenda". The only agenda is that gay people want to be treated as equals in society.

I'm sure when the civil rights movement was at full steam that there were bigots calling it the "inter-racial agenda" as well.

It's nothing more than a regressive mindset.

I get what you're saying, but comparing being gay to being black is not a very good comparison. Two very different situations altogether.

reply to post by QUANTUMGR4V17Y


No one is "forcing" the kids to do anything. Their parents are perfectly free to keep them home that day, and many schools have chosen not to use the "teaching tolerance" tools.

Also, the administrators have several different ways of "assigning" pair-ups. They could assign the football hero to sit with the ADHD kid, or they can assign random "table numbers" like a lottery, etc.

I see how it could turn ugly, and that bothers me. But I don't think it's necessarily going to increase bullying. If anything it might expose the bigoted agenda of some of the "cool kids", or at least open their eyes to the position of someone they would normally avoid. Ultimately it is up to the character and dignity and respect for others of the lunchers as to how the interaction goes.

What bothers me about the American Family Association (and other groups like them) is that they constantly espouse the notion that they aren't a hate group, yet the balk at every initiative and program designed to reduce hatred toward the GLBT community. I'm sorry, but that doesn't add up. You can't fight against tolerance and not be a hate group. So, sorry AFA but if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck...

reply to post by Wrabbit2000

Well, I'd disagree with the notion of there not being a Homosexual agenda.

There is no "homosexual agenda" in the program of "Teaching Tolerance". Yes, there is a gay rights movement in general, but that's not HIGHLIGHTED at all by what this school program is about.

Here's the program's website:
What is Mix It Up at Lunch Day?

Just what is Mix It Up at Lunch Day?

A national campaign launched by Teaching Tolerance a decade ago, Mix It Up at Lunch Day encourages students to identify, question and cross social boundaries.

In our surveys, students have identified the cafeteria as the place where divisions are most clearly drawn. So on one day – October 30 this school year – we ask students to move out of their comfort zones and connect with someone new over lunch. It’s a simple act with profound implications. Studies have shown that interactions across group lines can help reduce prejudice. When students interact with those who are different from them, biases and misperceptions can fall away.

That's it. Nothing about homosexuality having to do with it. It's only about stretching outside one's comfort zone and discovering the commonalities between people, and laying to rest misperceptions.

I hate bullies, principals and overbearing teachers, corrupt cops, war mongers, etc.

Kids should detest intolerance, including those who are intolerant of our freedom to choose who we want to eat lunch with.

School is designed like a prison, with cameras, metal detectors, restrictions on freedom, so how could such an institution ever promote tolerance? Bizarre logic.

If gays only wanted equality, there would be "mix it up with heterosexuals day" where gays have to hang out with straights and everyone had to be nice to republicans and neonazis.

Originally posted by filosophia
If gays only wanted equality, there would be "mix it up with heterosexuals day" where gays have to hang out with straights and everyone had to be nice to republicans and neonazis.

Can you clarify here? I'm not sure what you are implying.

Originally posted by poloblack

Originally posted by 3chainz
There is no such thing as a "homosexual agenda". The only agenda is that gay people want to be treated as equals in society.

I'm sure when the civil rights movement was at full steam that there were bigots calling it the "inter-racial agenda" as well.

It's nothing more than a regressive mindset.

I get what you're saying, but comparing being gay to being black is not a very good comparison. Two very different situations altogether.

I agree with you forthe simple reason that "gayness" can be hidden, whereas being "black" cannot...obviously.

reply to post by Koros


He's implying that this is a "be nice to gay kids day", because he is just being the kind of usual junk we get on ATS. "Oops I didn't read the story when I was accidently being a ____ to kids all over world" blah........

reply to post by Wrabbit2000

Those without agendas don't have parades and days in the honor of that which "nothing is about".

So then what is the agenda?

And is there is a peurto rican agenda? Because they sure have parades. The same with many other groups.

Originally posted by poloblack

Originally posted by 3chainz
There is no such thing as a "homosexual agenda". The only agenda is that gay people want to be treated as equals in society.

I'm sure when the civil rights movement was at full steam that there were bigots calling it the "inter-racial agenda" as well.

It's nothing more than a regressive mindset.

I get what you're saying, but comparing being gay to being black is not a very good comparison. Two very different situations altogether.

I'm not comparing gay to being black. I'm speaking on minority groups and bigoted opinions to them.

Originally posted by maus80
reply to post by Koros

 

He's implying that this is a "be nice to gay kids day", because he is just being the kind of usual junk we get on ATS. "Oops I didn't read the story when I was accidently being a ____ to kids all over world" blah........

Good to know, thanks. I'm new here so haven't quite figured out the personalities of the various subforums and/or other posters.

But, on the note of that implication and to the person implying it, it bugs the hell out of me that getting equality and tolerance in society should somehow be labeled as the sole responsibility of the minority group in question. The minority group isn't the one heaping hatred, intolerance, and legal boundaries upon the majority, so why is working toward tolerance the sole bastion of the minority?

reply to post by elrem48

I agree with you forthe simple reason that "gayness" can be hidden, whereas being "black" cannot...obviously.

Alright then;

I'm sure when the women's rights movement was at full steam that there were bigots calling it the "female agenda" as well.