I know that this topic has been posted before - but this may have a different spin...
I'm posting this to several adoption forums, and hope others will pick it up and do the same. If you agree, please pass the word.
I know it is long, but the jist is to complain to the FCC about the use of non-mom. To my wife and I we found it just as offensive as the derogatory terms used for African-Americans and Homosexuals.
We were notified today that NBC is airing a Mother's Day special on
Sunday evening celebrating American moms. Great.
However, the wonderful (sarcasm) people at NBC have created a
category called "non-mom" for this context. A non-mom being:
From (
Adoption.com - Information on International, Domestic, Child & Agency Adoptions, Stories, Laws favoritemom. com/mothers- day-
2008/static/ semiFinalists)
"The non-mom mom
Grandparent, stepmom, or mom to adopted children, each one raising
and loving a child. A priceless gift for everybody."
While I think that they may be correct in spirit, I believe they are
horribly wrong in the wording. I have already sent an email to them
pointing this out, I'm sure it will be ignored.
What I'm not sure will be ignored however is a complaint filed
through the FCC. According to their web-site
(
Adoption.com - Information on International, Domestic, Child & Agency Adoptions, Stories, Laws. gov/cgb/consumer facts/obscene. html)
"Profane Broadcast Restrictions
The FCC has defined profanity as "including language so grossly
offensive to members of the public who actually hear it as to amount
to a nuisance."
Like indecency, profane speech is prohibited on broadcast radio and
television between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m."
I know that when I heard this term, both Meg and I had a physical
reaction, so I think that qualifies for a nuisance.
I'm planning on filing a complaint Sunday evening, I'm not sure if a
complaint filed before the special is aired would be effective. The
site if you wish to is:
Adoption.com - Information on International, Domestic, Child & Agency Adoptions, Stories, Laws. fcc.gov/cgb/ fcc475B.cfm.
I have no idea if this will actually do anything, but if we don't try
nothing will be accomplished.