This September, Northwest Arkansas (NWA) will host its own version of Dancing with the Stars called Dancing with the NWA Stars. And, unless my eyes deceive me, it will benefit an abstinence-only education program called Reality Check, Inc.
When I first discovered Reality Check, Inc., I hoped that because the group shares its name with my most favorite podcast ever, RH Reality Check, maybe Reality Check, Inc., would be similarly awesome.
Not so. Now, I have never identified an abstinence-only education program before, but I am pretty certain that I have this one right. Their website explains the "Adolescent Brain," and has headings like "Condom Limitations," a citation to Fox News (the same one appears on every page for some reason), a page full of unorganized, scary stats about the HPV vaccine, and it touts quotes from kids attesting to their approval of the program (not surprisingly, they failed to post any negative comments from kids).
Also according to their website, scheduled performers include Miss Arkansas USA, a newly elected Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge, and the daughter of Congressman John Boozman (R), an abstinence-only education supporter. Sadly, according to an article, even Arkansas's U.S. Senators, both democrats, support Reality Check, Inc., and it already receives over $530,000 in federal funding.
In sum, it looks like a seemingly innocuous event will raise even more money for an insane and federally funded abstinence-only mis-education program. My hope is that Arkansans will protest via blogs, newspapers, hey, maybe even in person! (I know my personal fantasy is to crash the dance like Tracy Turnblad crashed the Autoshow in the last scene of the original Hairspray movie).
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Trying to make misinformation fun... What will they think of next?
The money of the benefit should go towards comprehensive sexual health education--now that would be something to dance about!
I think we should crash the dance and be the feminist robinhoods to put the money where it belongs. :)
Thank you for sharing this post.
True feminism is just this: giving our daughters the knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves from abuse, STDs, teen pregnancies, and being used by others, as well as the emotional risks of casual sex. We, as women, should be rallying around the idea that real feminism protects us, protects our future children, and protects our relationships at all cost. I encourage real women to band together, maybe even go to this event, in support of true protection and ultimate protection. Feminism protects our sexuality, it does not desecrate it.