Blueprint for Societal Change

In the wake of the post-election mess in California, I'd like to introduce you to a different kind of group, a different kind of lobbying, and a nonviolent means of advancing your issue within society. We're going to be looking at a minority group, about 2-5% of the U.S. population depending on the survey/study, who feel strongly compelled by their own consciences to live a different lifestyle than the average American.

When their movement first surfaced in the 70's, it was definitively illegal in some states, while others simply rejected it on the grounds of having no law permitting it. They proceeded to live as they felt compelled anyways, quietly and industriously, seeking to carve out individual exemptions that would simply allow them to live their lives as they saw fit. Over time, an organization developed that allowed them to deal with the government and courts with proper legal representation, but they did not seek to change the laws through the judicial system. They were simply settling individual cases.

In time, through writing letters and visiting the legislature, they proved bit by bit by their behavior that their lifestyle was validly non-destructive. They began to build a reputation of respect, achievement, and cooperation. States began to pass laws properly through the legislature permitting their lifestyle, but often with burdensome regulations. They accepted what they had hard-won, showed themselves willing to compromise, and worked to show by example that they could function equally without the extra government oversight. They did not assume that they could simply declare a right, even a valid one, and bully their way into it. Instead, they sought to show themselves worthy of it, confident that reasonable people would slowly be swayed by a good example.

Rallies were orderly, calm, and clean. They did not key anybody's cars. They did not threaten business owners. They did not assault elderly women or members of other religions. They did not vandalize, did not scream, did not perform obscene acts in public. They simply sought to prove by behaving properly that they were a valid part of society. Even with their lifestyle now legal (but often with heavy regulations) in all 5o states, they were not considered equal with the 'masses'. Employers and colleges refused them, and they were not allowed to serve in the military. They often lost health benefits and government benefits allowed to others, for nothing but their lifestyle status. They never screamed "Unfair!" Instead, they wrote letters, dissertations, made calm and reasoned speeches, and sought to persuade through logic.

It has now been over 30 years, and life is considerably easier for these people than it was at the beginning. Though they are often still harassed by government officials, social workers, and police simply for their lifestyle, they are allowed into most colleges and the military now accepts them. More people than ever before know somebody who lives this lifestyle, and opinion has become more and more favorable. They are proving by statistics that they are healthy, hardworking people, involved in volunteer work and more than pulling their weight in society. Though they recently nearly suffered a huge blow in California, they remained calm, and through appeal and well-reasoned evidence were able to keep from losing legal status there. They are making a place for themselves without treading on the rights of others. There is no law against believing their practices to be obscene, no 'hate crime' laws to benefit them above the general population, and they are not trying to force educators to teach schoolchildren about them.

Internationally, though many countries allow these people to practice their lifestyle, others persecute them, jailing them and forcing their families to flee to other countries for safety. One such family is currently petitioning asylum from their home country to the U.S. and is likely to get it due to the persecution there.

Are they gays?

Nope.

They are homeschoolers.

Missouri - reported November 18th
School system attempts to force a homeschooling family to comply with regulations far above and beyond those set forth by law. When the family refuses, they falsely report the children truant although the family is homeschooling legally in that state. Criminal charges are filed in the courts.

Ohio - reported November 7th
A homeschooling family is roundly criticized at their own doorstep by, of all people, the dog warden, who has shown up with police escort insisting to enter their home in order to inspect their (healthy and licensed) dog without a warrant. With police present, the warden said "They homeschool, too," prompting a diatribe from the police officer, who told the woman at the door that she was being a poor example and questioning her teaching skills.

Florida - reported November 6th
A social worker forces her way into a homeschooling family's home with the backup of two police officers. Refusing to disclose any allegations against them, she proceeds to partially strip-search one of the children who later turned out to not even be named in the allegation (an anonymous tip made months ago), in front of the officers and family, embarrassing the girl greatly. After threatening the father with handcuffs and removal of his children if he did not stop asserting (verbally, without violence) his Fourth Amendment rights, she then fully strip-searches all the children, male and female. Despite finding no evidence of abuse, she then insists that the entire family undergo a psychological examination.