I spent most of my childhood in the Washington, DC area. Each Easter after we moved there, I would be slightly jealous, wishing I was younger to be able to join the kids on the lawn at the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll. I would have been excited to don my cutest spring dress and be there proudly with mom & dad taking part in a tradition that has been done for ages (well, as American history goes) at the President’s House! It is a time when the American family can join other families in the nation’s capitol to take part in a rather silly event; one that stands the test of time, puts politics aside for a morning, and allows small children to grace one of the most heavily guarded lawns in the world with their spoons and hard boiled eggs.
Now, I know politics are never really set aside in DC; the camera is always rolling. But, the real spoils will come when a bunch of activists parade their children to the lawn to make a stink about their need for "rights." With no regard for the child's interest to have fun for Easter, or the fact that many children long to have this experience of Ceremony (so rarely found in this country) up close at the White House. I would guess that those kids want to roll eggs, not make a political statement.
This Easter, the gay agenda will come first, and their rainbow leis will prove it. Oh, how they'll rub it in the President's face that they have cute families, too, and that they want to be at egg rolls and accepted like everyone else. They say they will be there to celebrate, but I see it as a silent protest. (check out the Family Pride Coalition website and see their intent for yourself.)
I want the families gathered there to enjoy the day, not have their time together spoiled by politics. If these gay-identified couples want to be seen as considerate thoughtful neighbors, they wouldn’t take this opportunity alongside other families to make a stink of divisiveness and activism. Give it a rest on a day these families have chosen to celebrate and spend time together, making memories!
I do hope that all of the kids get to enjoy their banner day. I hope that the kids that don't make it in because 200 activists got in line before them for the Easter egg roll can have fun despite not getting into the Lawn. May their blue-skied spring day not be spoiled by rotten activism.
It's a sad display of selfishness on a holiday to celebrate the ultimate sacrifice that our Christ made on the cross, as he rose from the grave and overcame even death so that we might have eternal life. I pray that my heart is challenged and that I might be more sacrificial this Easter and put others first in love, possibly sacrificing our own desires and agenda this spring season.
Jesus' example through resurrection is "a call to live counter to the mainstream tendencies of darkness and selfishness, and to embrace the resurrection life." (Subersive Hope by Brian Orme, printed in Relevant Magazine's 850 Words of Relevant e-newsletter.)
This a good example of how the interests of children are not their first concern, but rather creating a positive public image of the homosexual lifestyle.
Posted by: MikeEnsley | Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 04:51 PM
My response to some of the comments: This is not a discrimination issue. Gay-identified families are NOT denied access to this event on the Lawn, and no one is questiong their right to be there. Can’t people just go so they can have fun? Why does this event have to become about accepting gay families?
People have also made comments that since Easter is not based on bunnies and eggs, my discussion is discredited. I was not endorsing that a bunny with plastic eggs captures the meaning of Easter. I guess you missed the point.
The conversation about Christian and secular representations of different holidays is for another time and place. The point here is that activists are using this event to make the day about them, not their children, saying "my family matters because I'm gay."
This is a special day at the White House for kids to make memories. It could instead be remembered as the awkward day when they were surrounded by people shoving their sexual preference in the nation's face, or when some kids couldn't get in because gay activists pushed to the front of the line to get tickets.
Posted by: Caryn | Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 10:21 AM
Good post and points Caryn. This hijacking of an event is the same ol' same ol' culture war formula that exploits an opportunity to solidify their base (on both sides), self-righteously offend those they hate and never really getting to the point.
I agree with Caryn, if a gay identified couple wanted to take their kids, they should have just taken their kids instead of organizing a political hijacking of an event.
Posted by: Randy | Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 12:54 PM