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The Culture War's
Battle of Lexington
On September 21st, David
Parker was scheduled to go on trial in Lexington,
Massachusetts for disputing the 'right' of a local
public school to introduce his then-5-year-old son
to the issue of homosexuality. The Parkers wanted
to control the timing and content of that
discussion.
His trial has been
headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/212005a.asp
delayed.
The Parker conflict, the
ferocity of community reaction, and the trial's
delay constitute a microcosm within the culture war
raging between conservatives, liberals and everyone
in between. Even kindergarten children are not
spared.
Before exploring how the
2nd Battle of Lexington typifies the larger culture
war, it is useful to sketch the specific conflict.
(For the record, I believe Parker is overwhelmingly
in the right.)
On Jan. 17th, Parker's son
brought home a estabrook.ci.lexington.ma.us/Diversity/kindergartenbag.html
Diversity Bookbag from
kindergarten. It included www.tenspeedpress.com/catalog/tricycle/item.php3?id=818
"Who's In a Family?" which depicts same-sex parents
alongside others.
By law, Massachusetts's
schools must notify parents before discussing
sexuality with children. The unnotified Parker
immediately www.article8.org/docs/news_events/parker/timeline_events.htm
emailed the principal of Estabrook Elementary to
say he didn't wish his son to be taught that
same-sex families are "a morally equal alternative
to other family constructs." Parker espouses
tolerance: the right of others to make peaceful
choices. But he rejects 'diversity': the demand
that he validate a particular choice through
approval or acceptance.
On April 27th, Parker was
arrested for criminal trespass when he refused to
leave school property without an assurance of
parental notification in the future. He is now
barred from school property, which precludes him
from attending events open to other parents or
being a voice on school committees.
The 2nd Battle of
Lexington illustrates several common
characteristics of the culture
war.
They include:
The conflict is
fundamental and admits no compromise. Parker
believes that parents, not government, have the
right to teach moral and sexual values to their
children. Estabrook assumes a duty to inculcate the
values of 'diversity'. The adults involved have
core beliefs that conflict, and there is only one
child.
Short of a Solomon's Knife
solution, which slices a baby in half, no
compromise is possible. If the law enforces
compromise, neither side will be satisfied and the
fight for total victory will probably
continue.
Another characteristic:
agendas are attached to the dispute, drawing
attention from the basic issue. Tammy Mosher from
Concerned Women for America www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=8867&department=CFI&categoryid=family
stated, "What's getting lost…is parental
rights and parental notification as it pertains to
education." The basic conflict is not over same-sex
marriage, to which anti-Parker activists have
shifted ground.
Indeed, some advocates of
'diversity' claim that Parker's demand for parental
rights are nothing more than an expression of
hatred toward gays. The accusation illustrates
another characteristic of the culture war:
arguments are mixed with vicious personal attacks
and, often, overwhelmed by them. Each side ascribes
the worst possible motives to the other. Neither
acknowledges that the 'enemy' might be a decent
human being who simply disagrees. Demonizing the
enemy is another reason why compromise is not
possible. It becomes a deal with the
devil.
It also stokes the
emotions, making physical violence more likely. On
Sept. 6, Parker supporters rallied on the historic
Lexington Battle Green. According to reports,
pro-gay activists gathered in a counter
demonstration. The media then arrived. The presence
of media often acts as a catalyst because activists
know it favors flash over substance, and tensions
on the green became inflamed. Ultimately, the
police were called to the scene.
Finally, culture warriors
are often unwilling to work out difficulties
privately, preferring to involve police and the
courts almost from the word "go".
There is no way to
accurately judge who's right in the culture war
without examining the facts. Both sides can make
valid points, and who's right often shifts with
tactics employed.
Nevertheless, when I need
to make a snap judgement -- one I discard upon
deeper examination -- then I follow a few crude
guidelines.
My preliminary bias
is:
- against the first one
to call the police (if no violence
occurred);
- against anyone whose
income depends on the outcome;
- against someone who
attaches a broader agenda or shifts the ground
of discussion;
- for anyone who argues
rather than insults;
- for those calling for
a private resolution.
My preliminary bias can
easily dissolve in the presence of a compelling
fact to the contrary.
Upon examining the Parker
matter, my initial impression stood.
The Estabrook authorities,
for whom 'diversity' is part of a paycheck, called
the police on Parker. School supporters portray
Parker as an anti-gay bigot and attach a same-sex
agenda to his basic demand for parental rights,
thus shifting the ground of
debate.
Meanwhile, Parker argues
without insults. He was the one arrested and in
danger of physical violence. Moreover, Parker's
lawyer is calling for a private resolution; that
is, the school should drop the restraining order,
which has become a pivotal point. Estabrook
www.townonline.com/lexington/opinion/view.bg?articleid=324236&format=&page=1
refuses to negotiate.
A last word on the culture
war. Most elected officials will hide from the
controversy. headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/212005a.asp
The most plausible explanation for the delay in
Parker's trial comes from Agape Press. "The
district attorney…is running for State
Attorney General" and he wants to hammer out a plea
bargain to make the controversy go
away.
The resolution is
unlikely. The Superintendent of Schools claims he's
had no time to decide about the restraining order
even the issue has dragged on for
months.
For his part, Parker seems
willing to go to the Supreme Court.
This returns to the
culture war's first characteristic: no
compromise.
©2007, Wendy
McElroy
* * *
Wendy
McElroy is the editor of ifeminists.com
and a research fellow for The Independent Institute
in Oakland, Calif. She is the author and editor of
many books and articles, including her latest book,
Liberty for Women: Freedom and Feminism in the
21st Century. She lives with her husband in
Canada. E-Mail.
Also, see her daily blog at www.zetetics.com/mac
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