An Email From Cindy

My friend Cindy has the wit, the wherewithal, the intelligence and the humor to be a great blogger. Alas, she doesn't have the time.

In an email dated Monday, February 11, 2008 1:37 PM
Subject: The HEIGHT of political correctness

So, in watching a GOOD amount of kids shows lately, Ross and I have noticed that there's now ALWAYS a black child, an asian child and an assortment of multi-cultural players in just about very show. I, being the p.c. left-leaning woman that I tend to be, actually really like that that happens with no direct acknowlegement of it -- just part of life....which is good! Break down those barriers.

THEN, we noticed that there was a new girl in Caillou's class -- in a wheelchair. And no one mentioned she was IN a wheel chair, she was just another kid. Interesting. And still, I thought, of course this is a good thing. Teaching kids not to be startled by this in real life classrooms, blah blah blah.

But, TODAY, it reached a whole a new level when I was watching an episode of Clifford the Big Red Dog with Will. Now, sure, Clifford's owner Emily Elizabeth has her share of multi-cultural friends who also live on the island and, I think, she has a subtle-ly stereotyped homosexual teacher (although we haven't seen this
officially confirmed in actions). But, we crossed a line today when Clifford made a new friend. Lab-looking shaped dog, white with brown spots, outgoing personality...named Rufus. Rufus, however, has three legs. And there was NO MENTION of it at all! Like, my three year old is supposed to just not think TWICE about a dog with THREE LEGS!?

I mean, come on. What's next???