banned "Crucible" '...makes Christians look bad...'

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:03am

The nadir of fundamentalist groupthink is the debacle in Fulton, MO, where at first a highly sanitized edition of "Grease" provoked a firestorm (a girl wore pajama top!). Now, to avoid any more upset -- and there was a total of three letters of complaint re "Grease" -- they've banned "The Crucible," for being too controversial, even though it's on the Junior reading list. Apparently, it portrays in the Salem witch trials, "...a time in history that makes Christians look bad."

No, the time in history that makes "Christians" look hideously, narrowly bad, is the current one. Read the article, noted in the day's media listings above. It's eye opening. How I wish Arthur Miller were alive to comment. I hope the Dramatists Guild makes a statement. We all should.

Updated On: 2/11/06 at 11:03 AM

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:06am

I'd be hard-pressed to find moments in history where Christians have actually looked good.

Updated On: 2/11/06 at 11:06 AM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:09am

Auggie, you beat me to it.

Here is a link to the story:


In Small Town, 'Grease' Ignites a Culture War

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:10am

...Because banning classic literature makes them look GREAT.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:12am

The funny thing is that the read it in lit class, but cannot perform it in a school production?

What are the odds it will be banned from the lit class?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:30am

And by the way -- did you note the reference to "Diary of Anne Frank?" Now that's too "mature?" Because a six year old can't see it, a high school can't perform it? Anne Frank has now become part of the culture wars?

Since when did supposed suitability for a six year old become a litmas test for drama curiculum? What's next, required viewing of "Narnia" and "Passion of the Christ?" (Yes, show your six year old two hours of the Mel's S&M spiritual uplift...)

As for Anne Frank. Leave the six year old at home with some innane ... video sugar tit ... and try taking the family to learn, grow, THINK. I fear for this country.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:40am

Three letters from Church members who complained about an already toned down version of Grease has resulted in the Principle banning the Crucible. Effectively, these three letter writers, one of which did not even see the play, and controlling the content of HS productions. If you don't want you kids exposed to the world, home school them or send them to a private school.

How is this a public school, when the private wishes of three individuals determine content? There was no public meeting, no discussion, just three complaints and viola - the Principle's position has changed. It sounds like a production of the Crucible is exactly what this town needs to present.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:46am

"I'd be hard-pressed to find moments in history where Christians have actually looked good."

That's quippy, for sure, but if it's true for you I wonder if you know where to look.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:52am

If all it takes is three letters to sway the Principal's opinion, then why don't we start a letter writing campaign to the school...

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:54am

Agreed MB - apparently we do not even have to see what they are doing to be persuasive.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:57am

That's quippy, for sure, but if it's true for you I wonder if you know where to look.

I can think of the Italian Renaissance and....well, that's it.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:00pm

I'm up for it.

What happened to the idea that some works in theater and/or literature are meant to challenge you? The Crucible and The Diary of Anne Frank being too mature to be done by a high school? These works are based on or inspired by true events, nor are they partiularly inappropriate material-wise. You know what they say about history being bound to repeat itself if you don't learn from it... are we to avoid presenting anything that even remotely challenges one's worldview? Updated On: 2/11/06 at 12:00 PM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:07pm

Here the Superintendent's Email Address

[e-mail]

As well a link to the school page
Fulton School District

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:11pm

Has it occured to anyone that this issue has less to do with Christianity than it has to do with small-town politics? Not every locale is like our beloved NYC - three letters in a small town make a majority, sadly, especially from the right people.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:17pm

Mistress, I did think of that, and so did the teacher, which is why she modified the script for the production of grease to address these concerns.

And, with the rise of the Christian Right, it is hard to differntiate between a religious and a political agenda.

Three letters should have generated a meeting, not a banning of a production. This a town of 17,000 with an enrollment in the school district of 2,400. Three letters should not dictate cirriculum.

[DG]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:18pm

"inane video sugar tit"

Auggie, you're so good.
Updated On: 2/11/06 at 12:18 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:28pm

(Thanks DG, but I should learn to spell "inane." Sorry.)

Let's do write. I just forwarded it to a drama teacher I know, who recoiled in horror. As Ghandi said, "...be the change..." Let's be!

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:29pm

I'm definitely emailing him.

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:29pm

"Three letters *should not* dictate cirriculum."

Yeah, and somebody who can't string together a coherent sentence *should not* be president of the United States. Your point?

[DG]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:32pm

Auggie - I originally spelled it correctly (for a change) and went back and changed it because of how you spelled it - HAHAHA! I am LOST without a dictionary - it's pathetic.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 12:44pm

Mistress, so we should do nothing when things like this happen? This is public school district. Had the town met and decided that this is what they wanted, perhaps I would not be so upset. Maybe this is their community standard. None of us know.

My point is that too many people sit by while others, a vocal minority, scream their heads off.

And, don't get me started on Shrub.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:26pm

Part of my letter to the good Dr. E of Fulton MO, for what it's worth:


"...As an educator - with a PhD! -- is this the America you personally endorse? One that cannot look at its own history with an unblinking, critical eye on the whole truth? Is this the America in which you wish to educate our children? One that places limitations on intellectual pursuit in our schools, simply to satisfy the startlingly narrow perceptions of a vocal minority (and a minuscule one at that)?

When performing in, and attending, "The Crucible" is deemed inappropriate for our brightest and best teens, I fear for our nation. Do you -- and the community you feel you're well serving -- now feel reassured, so limited was your decision by the shackles of a restricting, fear-based strategy of appeasement?"

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:28pm

Bravo. Very similar to my sentiments on the subject.

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 2:14pm

"Mistress, so we should do nothing when things like this happen?"

No, I am absolutely NOT saying that. However, sometimes (often) governing bodies are less than ideal, and unfortunately the fact that this should not be the case does not change the fact that it is the case.

Small-town politics are a crushing force. I don't think that people who have never lived in a small town fully realize just how deadly someone's opinion can be. A letter to the school board can end a career in such cases, just because soemone is easily offended (or even if they aren't easily offended, but are saying so as a way to get what they want). Having lived in some small towns and having seen the drama that ensues, I have to step back and wonder - were these people genuinely offended? Or did they just want to send a message to the drama department. I'm not saying that this is the case, just that there may be more to the big picture.

So, then, is this an excuse - small-town politics are corrupt, and that's just the way it is and there should be nothing done about it? No, however... at the end of the day the people who are in charge of the drama department have to pay their rent and feed their families. 'Tis a situation with no easy answers.

Updated On: 2/11/06 at 02:14 PM

[mominator]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 2:16pm

I would reply, but I think I broke mykeyboard from all the head banging........