Live and let live. (Editorial). (1993, January 15). Commonwealth, CXX(1), 3-4.

OVERVIEW

This article discusses the recent clash in the New York City school system over the multicultural curriculum, "Children of the Rainbow." One part of the curriculum that stirred protest was the elementary segment that included a story book, Heather Has Two Mommies. The story is about a child conceived through artificial insemination being raised by two lesbian moms.

The development of a multicultural curriculum started several years ago as an effort to teach tolerance and reduce prejudice in the public schools; along the way, it acquired units on gays and lesbians and homosexual family groups. The particular curriculum in New York City sailed through under pressure from the Gay and Lesbian Teachers Association. Though much of the opposition has come from Catholics, there is broad consensus from parents who "are deeply troubled about what their children will be taught in schools on the subject of homosexuality." The writer of this article notes several lessons from this New York City conflict:

• "Love me, love my lifestyle" cannot be the foundation for the tolerance, respect, and civil rights that gays and lesbians want and deserve.
• Do not introduce moral conflicts into the classroom when adults themselves are deeply and honestly conflicted.
• Political correctness is a fatal barrier to open and honest debate about such moral disagreements.

The issue centers around a statement by Richard Vigilante in The New York Times: "Rather than asking us to live together in peace despite our deepest disagreements, enforced diversity asks us to surrender those disagreements, to pretend that our deepest beliefs do not matter and to shed them for a government-enforced least common denominator of values." (1992, December 12)

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. What is the "Children of the Rainbow" curriculum and what conflict is it causing in the New York City School system? Why?
2. Discuss each of the editor’s three lessons. What do each mean? Do you agree or disagree with each point? Why?
3. What do you think the term "enforced diversity" means? Do you agree with vigilante’s comment about its necessity? How is this different from racism and segregation? What about Jesus’ words to love our neighbor and even our enemies?

IMPLICATION

This is a fair and balanced article regarding the issues of multiculturalism and homosexuality. The effect of this conflict is important, because it has awakened much of America to the subversive goals of many homosexuals and the sleek manner in which a curriculum can be altered with minimal "checks and balances." This conflict has also helped awaken parents to the great need of staying active in their children’s education. The three lessons mentioned are on-target and provide an excellent framework for further discussion.

Bill Finley cCYS