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February 21, 2008
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February 21, 2008 |
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Editorial Lessons from a teachable moment If the controversy over the recent censorship of a high school one-act play is indeed, as school board member Richard Lapedes said, a “teachable moment,” then what lessons might we learn from it? We might learn that our young people feel passionately about making art. These are good kids, top students, and they live by the rules. But one time a year — with the one-act plays — they are offered the opportunity to dig deeply into their lives, to create art from their questions, experiences and concerns. Sometimes their creations are edgy; sometimes they’re not. But the kids believe fiercely that someone standing over them with a red pen will destroy this opening, that they need artistic freedom to go as deeply as they can go into their truths. And they know that with freedom comes responsibility; they work closely together, monitoring each other. We might learn that a simple process is already in place for protecting audience members from plays deemed potentially offensive. These plays are labeled as such in the program, and those who prefer to leave may do so. This system has worked for 17 years; there’s no reason it can’t continue. We might learn how much this community values artistic freedom. How many ways can you argue for the inviolate nature of creative expression? Many ways, it turns out, as illustrated by the eloquent kids, parents and community members at last Thursday’s school board meeting. We might learn that freedom of expression is a little scary, even if we think we believe in it. While last Thursday’s board meeting offered ample opportunities for villagers to express themselves, it stopped well short of offering an opportunity for community dialogue on this critical issue. The event was tightly controlled: no questions, no back and forth, speakers allowed to only address the board president. What exactly is this teaching our young people? That the school board doesn’t trust villagers to conduct themselves appropriately in a difficult situation? The community needs this dialogue, and if it’s not on the school board’s plate, where is it? We might learn — or be reminded — that we all make mistakes. Kids, parents, school board members, administrators, too. The recent censoring of Peter Keahey’s play was a mistake. And as in a healthy relationship, in a healthy community we need to greet each others’ mistakes with forgiveness and a willingness to believe the best in each other. We could forget the other lessons and just keep working on this one, over and over again.
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