Posted by Morbo
Last week, the American Family Association (www.afa.net) issued a warning to parents about the movie “Shark Tale.” Apparently, the AFA, headed by the Rev. Donald Wildmon in Tupelo, Miss., believes the movie is designed to brainwash children into accepting gay rights. The group came to this conclusion because “Shark Tale” deals with a shark who just doesn’t fit in because he doesn’t like to eat meat, like the other sharks do.
Morbo has to wonder if anyone who works at the AFA actually has children. I have two and can assure you that the idea of not fitting in and wondering about your place in the world is a constant theme in children’s literature and movies. All children feel this way from time to time, giving the theme a universal nature. You could even call it an archetype, if you have an English degree.
This latest attack comes right on the heels of the Traditional Values Coalition’s assertion that “Shrek 2” promoted cross-dressing because a male character in the film wore a dress. Again, have these people never spent time around children? Kids are accustomed to a world where things tend to be pretty rigid. A male character wearing a dress is funny because it’s unexpected.
Morbo has to wonder if these Religious Right kooks simply have no sense of humor. First, Jerry Falwell outed the purple Teletubby. A few years ago, Alan Sears of the Alliance Defense Fund seriously suggested in a book that SpongeBob SquarePants is gay. (I mean, come on, his best friend is a pink starfish!) Now we have the AFA and TVC attacks.
Much works remains to be done. I’ve been complaining for years about Winnie the Pooh. First off, what’s with the girl’s name? Also, why doesn’t he wear pants? And he keeps hanging around with that little boy. Something isn’t right here. Rev. Wildmon, call your office.