Classical Values :: Scrotal Marxism for kids?

Scrotal Marxism for kids?

I don't know whether this children's book (containing the word "scrotum") is what Antonio Gramsci and WorldNetDaily would call "cultural Marxism," as I haven't asked the author whether that was her intent.* But Glenn Reynolds' link to the discussion reminded me of M. Simon's post from yesterday as well as some earlier ones on the subject.

Whether it's to be called "Cultural Marxism" or not, increasingly, the culture war seems to be a sex war.

A war over genitalia.

It does occur to me that we all have these things, and that we all have varying issues -- should I say "levels of excitation" or would that go too far? -- about them.

I'm reminded of the medical school nursery rhyme.....

"Although we hardly ever see 'em, we all have a perineum!"

I'm trying to take this stuff seriously.

What? I should try harder?

*Intent is relevant, isn't it? Or is cultural Marxism to be discerned without regard to intent? (i.e., by a similar process to that which discerns racism.)

MORE: Ann Althouse has mixed feelings, and says:

I can see feeling hostile to a children's author who uses this technique to get attention.

I can too, and I can also see feeling hostile to the division of parents into two warring camps -- one which fears the word "scrotum" and another which loves to feel smugly superior by baiting the former.

And a drooling news media which loves to, um, quote'em.

I'd like to think this should be up to the parents, but there are a lot of things I'd like to think.

Should I be glad I don't have kids?

Comments

I'm sorry, but I think the author's claims of innocent intent are ridiculous. She use the word because she knew parents would object and she could portray herself as a victim.

So, I object to the book on the grounds that this is simply a crass attempt at self-promotion.

Mike Heinz · February 19, 2007 03:38 PM

I'm inclined to agree with you, but self-promotion is not Cultural Marxism. (Otherwise Ann Coulter would be a Cultural Marxist.)

The thing is, a lot of people would say that this book is Cultural Marxism, and it reminds me of the Seattle school system declaring that having a future time orientation, emphasizing individualism as opposed to a more collective ideology, or defining one form of English as standard individualism were "cultural racism."

http://www.classicalvalues.com/archives/003645.html

Eric Scheie · February 19, 2007 03:50 PM