The "Really" File - (All That "Jazz")

Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.
Isaiah 5:20

What's up with this transgender book "I Am Jazz" sweeping into classrooms across the fruited plains of America?

"Perhaps, you’ve heard of the Sacramento, California charter school Rocklin Academy where a kindergarten teacher read the transgender picture book I Am Jazz, and who, after reading it, presented a little boy to the class as now being a little girl.....Recently, a board meeting at the school caused a huge confrontation between upset parents and a defensive

teacher and school board.  In the end, the board boldly asserted that topics dealing with “gay, lesbian and transgender issues” are open for discussion at Rocklin, and that parents may not always be notified before such discussions occur. The board also maintained that opting out of these discussions promotes a “discriminatory environment … prohibited by law.”
With this incident in mind here are some questions:  What exactly is in this innocuous looking picture book I Am Jazz?  Who are its authors?  



Jazz & Herthel

I Am Jazz-- Co-Author Jessica HerthelJessica Herthel, its co-author, is a Broward County, Florida  mom of three, and an all-out advocate of the transgender agenda.  Herthel, having met Jazz's mom at a community function, soon formed a friendship with her and her little boy who became "a trans girl" renamed "Jazz." Herthel then went on to co-write the book, along with Jazz, telling what it is like to be a trans kid.

As a result of writing I Am Jazz Herthel has become a recognized LGBTQ advocate on many fronts.  It began with her volunteering for the Florida Broward County Schools (sixth largest district in the USA) where soon she was designing inclusive lesson plans, and purchasing diverse books for elementary classrooms.  Later, she became the primary content editor of "Broward County's LGBTQ Critical Support Guide" presented to all district administrators in 2014.  After, Herthel worked as the Education Director at the Stonewall National Museum and Archives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida,  which is a nonprofit that shares the

culture of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and the role they play in society.

Beyond Florida Herthel travels nationwide spreading the trans kids agenda using I Am Jazz as a jumping off point.  This message has taken her to such diverse places as: Mt. Horeb Public Library, Mt. Horeb, WI (The Mt. Horeb School System refused to allow her to read I Am Jazz in a public school setting so it was read in the public library.); Temple Bat Yahm, New Port Beach, CA (This is a welcoming Jewish congregation for all including the LGBT community.); and The Human Rights Campaign "Time to Thrive" Conference in Dallas, TX. (HRC partnered with the National Education Association and the American Counseling Association to reach out to LBGTQ Youth).
It must be noted the Human Rights Campaign considers Jazz Jennings their foundation "Youth Ambassador."  Coming this December 7, 2017 HRC is sponsoring an "I Am Jazz: School and Community Readings" all over the nation at many venues.  

I Am Jazz ( Ages 4-8) is "a picture book lure," based on the actual life experiences of Jazz Jennings designed to be read to preschool through grade three introducing them to transgender ideas.  Herthel begins by presenting Jazz as a "girl" whose favorite color is pink, and who likes girly things like drawing, dancing, and putting on make up.  Most of all Jazz is mesmerized by "mermaids."

Now, Jazz's best friends are Casey and Samantha with whom Jazz plays dress up in high heels and princess gowns.  They also do fun things like turning cart wheels, or jumping on trampolines.  

"Jazz" speaking to children

However, as a "sad-faced Jazz" says, "But, I'm not exactly like Samantha and Casey."
To explain, there's a page of kids' drawings showing a very unhappy Jazz.  Below this, Herthel unleashes these troubling sentences:  "I have a girl brain, but a boy body.  This is called transgender.  I was born this way."

Herthel records Jazz's transition saga as a two year old boy starting with Jazz's mom saying he was a good boy, and him correcting her as he retorted, "No Mama.  Good GIRL!"  Herthel also writes, "At first my family was confused.  They'd always thought of me as a boy."   

The next pages show Jazz's brothers and sister.  His brothers comment that his dress up antics are "girls stuff;" while his sister comments that his girl thoughts, dreams, and ambitions made him "a funny kid."

Whenever, he went out, the text continues, his parents had him wear his "boy clothes" which made him mad!
                    Then came "an amazing day" when all was changed for his parents took him to a doctor who asked many questions.  There, says the text, he heard the word "transgender" for the first time. 

From the "Really" File

Listeners, at this point, have heard the term "transgender twice," and are now told this revelation was part of "an amazing day."

That night, relates Jazz, for the first time his parents told him to "Be who you are." This caused
him to smile and smile as he went to bed dressed in a girl's nightgown.

The book fast forwards to Jazz at school.  Here, like Jazz's family, his friends and teachers were "confused."  Upset with his teacher, Jazz found it hard to have to use the boy's bathroom, and be on the boy's teams. Finally, the teachers change their minds allowing Jazz to use the girl's rest room and to play sports with the girls." LighthouseTrails

REALLY?