The tone of this statement was inflammatory and hurtful toward homeschoolers as a group and toward Christians as a group. The article goes on to say, "correctly or incorrectly, homeschool families are seen as intolerant of other races, a reputation that pains some of them. They encourage non-white families who are interested to find a homeschool support group they feel comfortable with.. ."

Is homeschooling, as this magazine article alleges, a "predominantly white phenomenon" because home educators want to avoid racial integration? I don't think so. In fact, in my seven years in Forsyth County, I have never known any homeschooler who spoke of avoiding racial mixing in the educational arena, and I cannot personally think of anyone who has even behaved as though they are racial segregationists. In fact, one friend of mine said that the negative attitudes of some people in the public school setting toward other races is one reason she and her husband chose to home school.

Furthermore, as one homeschooler has reminded me, we are out in the community more than most families who choose the conventional educational route. We are able to participate in ministries or volunteer programs which cause us to interface in a sincere and personal way with others who might be different from ourselves because of religion, color, economics, or values. And we are not compelled by today's emphasis on "tolerance for tolerance's sake". Love and duty compel us. It is simple servanthood, as we know God desires that we have hearts of servants.

The times grow harder for us who have chosen a road less taken with regard to the education and rearing of our families. That is a given. But now, in our own community in the Piedmont of North Carolina, we are maligned most publicly. It shocks, and it hurts.

I have spoken with the magazine publisher about six weeks ago, who had at least superficially acted concerned, and have written to the editor. But so far there has been nothing done to correct the misinformation as of the second issue. I have also contacted NCHE regarding the content of the article.

Unfortunately, there is probably not much we can do, unless public appeal compels the magazine publisher to correct the statement. If you wish to help in this matter, you may send a letter to the following address. Please be courteous, check your spelling and grammar, and make a plea that the statement made in this article be by some means rectified!

Also, we can pray for the individual(s) that were interviewed for the article, or whomever was the source of this misinformation, that truth would prevail in their hearts and in their words and actions. And let our words and actions be borne of love.