The Discovery Channel is building ratings at the expense of a religious minorities.
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I was astounded by the damaging portrayal of the Amish and Mennonite communities as retaliatory and violent. I live in Pennsylvania, where a majority of Amish and Mennonite families call their home. These are a simple, peaceful people who follow the teachings of the bible and prefer to live a quieter existence without the conveniences of modern technology. Their somber dress and traditional lifestyle does not lend itself to violence in any form. In our area the Amish and Mennonites are know for their humility, pride, and work ethic. Yet, The Discovery Channel chooses to patronize a show that may lead people to believe that these are people to be feared and distrusted, who carry automatic weapons, bribe their own elected officials, and blow up cars.
If this were a show claiming to depict any other religious sect, the public outcry would have been immediate and large. However this show has been allowed to continue airing since 2012, without censure. Why? This is largely because the people who are being marginalized, don’t know of the show’s existence. The Discovery Channel and Amish Mafia producers are taking advantage of this religion’s shunning of technology.
Recently Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and other politicians have signed a statement calling for the Discovery Channel to drop the series, calling it a “bigoted portrayal” of the religious sect and a misrepresentation of the Amish in Lancaster County. Also, a grassroots website called http://www.respectamish.org was created to help raise awareness to the way the 250,000 Amish and 110,000 Mennonites in this country are being portrayed.
Normally I’m here telling you about a show that you should check out. I’m telling you that a series is dramatic, amusing, heartfelt, or thought provoking. Today, I’m telling you: Don’t watch this show. Please join those who have begun the campaign to remove Amish Mafia. The Discovery Channel has strayed too far from it’s roots. This used to be the channel that I would send my son to for interesting documentaries and shows about science and history. Now they’ve strayed to building stereotypes about a culture that deserves our respect.