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Wearing a MAGA hat would be overly political, just like wearing a Bernie shirt or Che Guevara shirt at story-time.
Drag is not explicitly political, though the political left has generally become the province of diversity, acceptance, and inclusion. Some conservatives talk about the "big tent" in their party, but I guess that tent isn't quite so accommodating.
In any case, very few library storytellers are in drag, and when they are, publicity and announcements are made well in advance. OTOH, take a closer look at the library storytellers who are regulars at the task. Some wear crosses and other religious symbolism. I remember some such folks I interacted with as a kid wore such things, but somehow I managed to turn out alright.
So someone in drag should be allowed to read books to children but someone in a MAGA hat shouldn't?
Um, one thing I haven't noticed yet was whether or not the drag people were actually going to show up in drag. I mean, maybe they just mean to show up in regular everyday clothing. Wouldn't that make this whole thread moot (unless you hate people who wear drag)?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoffD
Recall the uproar over Harry Potter from the religious conservatives. They couldn't have their kids reading some other mythology. They'd rather have them illiterate.
In Saratoga, CA grade schools, the teachers introduced a game that would help the kids spell. From all accounts, it was very successful. But...the game had wizards and dragons in it and so religious parents threw a fit about it and had the game taken out of the schools. Why don't these people set up a church to homeschool all their kids and be done with it, instead of screwing over all the other kids in the public schools?
So someone in drag should be allowed to read books to children but someone in a MAGA hat shouldn't?
I personally wouldn't want anyone with an overtly political appearance (liberal or conservative) to do that in a public venue. Reading to kids should not be a campaign event. YMMV.
But I don't consider dressing in drag to be the leftist political-statement equivalent of wearing a MAGA hat. Wearing a Bernie hat or Che shirt would be such an equivalent, and I wouldn't support that.
(Keep in mind that there are some cross-dressers and drag performers who support Trump. Others are apolitical. Dressing in drag is not an exclusively or fundamentally "leftist" thing. Didn't J. Edgar Hoover dress up as a woman?)
Part of my point is that dressing in drag is not primarily a political statement. Neither is wearing a crucifix, or looking like the Church Lady, or wearing a headscarf, or wearing Amish clothing, or wearing veterans' gear, or wearing a police or firefighter uniform.
(Of course, not all uniforms are acceptable. I wouldn't want strippers reading to my kids.)
I don't see anything wrong with people in any of these costumes reading books to children in a public forum. Even though we (adults) can probably (but not always) guess the political leanings of some of these people, the costumes are not overtly political.
Of course, pre-event publicity should allow for parents to decide to bring their kids or not. If there are people in MAGA hats or Bernie shirts reading to the kids, so be it--public tax money is going to help their campaign, but at least there's public warning ahead of time.
Last edited by Empidonax; 09-02-2019 at 07:43 AM..
Drag queens are fun for adult entertainment. But for 2 to 8 year olds?
To be honest, I'd not let my kids go to such an event. If they asked why I'd tell them such people are not the type to be alone with or near. I'd never be near then for any reason (Other than medical emergency)
Question for those who say it's good because it teaches kids about "differences."
How often do you expect your child to encounter fully made-up drag queens? Do they attend adult drag queenshows? Is that why kids need to be exposed to drag queens?
Here's a novel idea, and one that was taught to me in kindergarten: Be civil to each other. Period. Works for EVERYBODY. No inclusivity training necessary.
To be honest, I'd not let my kids go to such an event. If they asked why I'd tell them such people are not the type to be alone with or near. I'd never be near then for any reason (Other than medical emergency)
Recall the uproar over Harry Potter from the religious conservatives. They couldn't have their kids reading some other mythology. They'd rather have them illiterate.
Recall? Pffft. It's still ongoing!
Quote:
September 2, 2019
Students at a Catholic elementary school in Tennessee will no longer be able to borrow copies of the Harry Potter book series after a pastor there outlawed them — claiming they contain real curses and spells.
I think anything that builds interest in reading and promotes understanding is great, but if people don't want their kids to go, they don't have to send their kids. As it's an event being done by pre-registration it's not like someone at the library can just accidentally end up wandering in there.
I do think there's some drag that's rather hostile to women, but that's true of almost every art and entertainment form. I doubt the library will be inviting any ragingly misogynistic performers. Neither would I expect to see anything that'd get above a PG rating. If it was Movie Hour at the library, you could safely assume they weren't going to show Debbie Does Dallas, couldn't you? Drag is and has been a lot of different things to a lot of different people.
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