This caught my attention even though this happened some 5 months ago. Gallaudet’s Theatre Arts Department hosted a play, under the direction of assistant professor Ethan Sinnott, which tries to reinterpret the life of Jesus Christ by portraying him and his disciples as gay. Now, this is not about their message they are trying to impart but rather the irresponsible use of a "religious theme" in the effort to "repaint" a historical religious figure. Not only was this irresponsible but it smacks of hypocrisy as well. Instead of using the image of Jesus Christ in the play why not use image of Mohammed instead to deliver the same message of tolerance? Just to make an obvious point here. But, of course, they wouldn't dare do that or else they get the full fatwa delivered to them rather quickly. Oh, wait, they did get a fatwa in the U.K since Muslims regard Jesus as a messenger of God, and revere his mother, the Virgin Mary. In short, blasphemy. Yet they used the image of Jesus Christ because it was "easy picking" since you don't expect as much of an outrage via through death threats, arrests, or capital punishment through religious decrees. Issuing decrees of arrest or execution is going way overboard, in my opinion, but I'm sure you get the picture now.
No one should have the right to use government funds or use institutions and be accessory on allowing plays to be portrayed of that nature, especially when Gallaudet University gets 70% of its funding from the Federal government. Now, it'd be interesting to ask the president of Gallaudet if he would actually approve the same play but it would use Mohammed instead. The answer would be a very predictable one, of course, you'd already know that. And you know why, too. What Gallaudet University did was in poor taste and irresponible at the same time.
There are better ways to discuss taboo subjects about tolerance but this certainly is not one of them. I believe there are room for mature discourses but not in such a way when hypocrisy could be cut two ways here.
Friday, October 01, 2010
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14 comments:
It's hard to believe that President T. Alan Hurwitz or Board of Trustees haven't made any complaint about that because Gallaudet University is under the Federal.
President Hurwitz is Jewish, so one could venture a guess that he was likely not personally offended by the depiction of Jesus in the play.
Regarding the funding, it's a shame when an institution feels like it has to censor itself to make the bottom line. I was pleased when I heard about it, not because I necessarily support the play or its message, but because Gallaudet was operating as a college - the kind of place where wacky, liberal young adults get together and shake up the establishment; supporting the kind of free speech kids rally for all over the country.
However, I do think you made an excellent point about Muhammad - even the most granola colleges, I'm guessing, would hesitate before submitting to the documented security risk of portraying Muhammad in such a role.
Why not forward this to the Office of the President?
Too tacky? I think he should know the spotlight is on Gallaudet. And maybe he will respond....
Tousi
This is indeed old news, and the University dealt with it in an appropriate way. Yes, we are federally funded. So what? A university is exactly the place to stretch. We do not have limitations on what we can or can't say beyond what is in the law. Here is how the university addressed the issue:
March 2, 2010
To: The University Community
From: Stephen F. Weiner, Provost
Subject: Corpus Christi
As many people on campus know, the Department of Theatre Arts will present the play Corpus Christi April 8-10, 2010. Corpus Christi is a passion play, or a dramatic presentation depicting the Passion of Christ: the trial, suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
Corpus Christi was written in 1998 by Terrence McNally, an American playwright. It depicts Jesus Christ and the Apostles as gay men who live in present-day Texas. The original script blends ancient and modern themes and artifacts. The play has received three regional and national Best Play awards. However, some in the ecumenical community look upon this play much less favorably. Some members of our community have expressed grave concerns about the play. In this memorandum, I will answer some of the questions that have been asked.
Faculty members in the Department of Theatre Arts decide what plays to produce every year. University administrators-the dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Technologies, the provost, and the president-are not involved in this process. That is as it should be, because the principles of academic freedom and artistic freedom apply here. Gallaudet is a university, and we must protect all forms of expression and promote respectful, collegial dialogue about issues, no matter how controversial.
The 2009-2010 theatrical season includes Spoon River Anthology, which was produced in October 2009; Corpus Christi; and the children's play Charlotte's Web, which will be produced in mid-April. There was also a student directors' showcase last month, and a staged/signed reading of Maria Cristina Garcia's Lesbians and the Men Who Love Them in early April. This ambitious schedule provides many opportunities for our students to learn acting and stagecraft, and to experiment with innovative play techniques and technologies.
Ethan Sinnott, an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre Arts, is director of Corpus Christi. He has chosen the cast and crew, and has been conducting rehearsals.
Please know that Gallaudet University neither endorses nor condemns the views expressed in Corpus Christi, or any dramatic production. We understand that there are people who will find this play affirming, liberating, and cathartic, and others who find its message disrespectful, distasteful, and repugnant.
We seek to allow all views to be aired openly and respectfully, and we hope that open discussions will allow individuals to listen to one another. This is the hallmark of an academic community. To this end, Dr. Ann Powell, Interim Associate Provost for Diversity, has organized two dialogues between people who are opposed to, and supportive of, the play being produced at Gallaudet. Dr. Powell will organize more dialogues in the coming weeks. Different individuals and organizations are being invited to conduct educational programs and discussions about the play and its content. We will be prepared to conduct dialogue with external groups as well, and to respond to media inquiries.
In conclusion, our ability to discuss even the most controversial issues, the ones that inflame the most passion, is what makes us a university. The production of Corpus Christi is an opportunity for reasoned, respectful dialogue, in the true spirit of an academic community.
Thank you.
This is indeed old news, and the University dealt with it in an appropriate way. Yes, we are federally funded. So what? A university is exactly the place to stretch. We do not have limitations on what we can or can't say beyond what is in the law. Here is how the university addressed the issue:
March 2, 2010
To: The University Community
From: Stephen F. Weiner, Provost
Subject: Corpus Christi
As many people on campus know, the Department of Theatre Arts will present the play Corpus Christi April 8-10, 2010. Corpus Christi is a passion play, or a dramatic presentation depicting the Passion of Christ: the trial, suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
Corpus Christi was written in 1998 by Terrence McNally, an American playwright. It depicts Jesus Christ and the Apostles as gay men who live in present-day Texas. The original script blends ancient and modern themes and artifacts. The play has received three regional and national Best Play awards. However, some in the ecumenical community look upon this play much less favorably. Some members of our community have expressed grave concerns about the play. In this memorandum, I will answer some of the questions that have been asked.
Faculty members in the Department of Theatre Arts decide what plays to produce every year. University administrators-the dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Technologies, the provost, and the president-are not involved in this process. That is as it should be, because the principles of academic freedom and artistic freedom apply here. Gallaudet is a university, and we must protect all forms of expression and promote respectful, collegial dialogue about issues, no matter how controversial.
The 2009-2010 theatrical season includes Spoon River Anthology, which was produced in October 2009; Corpus Christi; and the children's play Charlotte's Web, which will be produced in mid-April. There was also a student directors' showcase last month, and a staged/signed reading of Maria Cristina Garcia's Lesbians and the Men Who Love Them in early April. This ambitious schedule provides many opportunities for our students to learn acting and stagecraft, and to experiment with innovative play techniques and technologies.
Ethan Sinnott, an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre Arts, is director of Corpus Christi. He has chosen the cast and crew, and has been conducting rehearsals.
Please know that Gallaudet University neither endorses nor condemns the views expressed in Corpus Christi, or any dramatic production. We understand that there are people who will find this play affirming, liberating, and cathartic, and others who find its message disrespectful, distasteful, and repugnant.
We seek to allow all views to be aired openly and respectfully, and we hope that open discussions will allow individuals to listen to one another. This is the hallmark of an academic community. To this end, Dr. Ann Powell, Interim Associate Provost for Diversity, has organized two dialogues between people who are opposed to, and supportive of, the play being produced at Gallaudet. Dr. Powell will organize more dialogues in the coming weeks. Different individuals and organizations are being invited to conduct educational programs and discussions about the play and its content. We will be prepared to conduct dialogue with external groups as well, and to respond to media inquiries.
In conclusion, our ability to discuss even the most controversial issues, the ones that inflame the most passion, is what makes us a university. The production of Corpus Christi is an opportunity for reasoned, respectful dialogue, in the true spirit of an academic community.
Anony 10:30 AM,
Note the hypocrisy in what the Provost said?
"That is as it should be, because the principles of academic freedom and artistic freedom apply here. Gallaudet is a university, and we must protect all forms of expression and promote respectful, collegial dialogue about issues, no matter how controversial."
No matter how controversial? Ok. Replace Jesus Christ and his disciples with Mohammed and his follower in that same play and see how that one goes. Would the Provost have allowed it take place? Imagine the reaction then.
Anony and everybody else missed my point. This play was done soley because it was "easy pickings." Secondly, it wasn't about "collegial dialogue about issues" but about creating controversy and not about true dialogues.
Again, I challenge people to do the same thing except replace it with other religious historic figures such as Mohammed. And I tell you the answer. They won't. Why? Hypocrisy.
you are very much on target. Although i am finding that on a personal level Christians everywhere are standing up to this sort of thing (on a small scale) and being taken seriously.
Mike, do you even know of a play that depicts Muhammad in a similar manner? Can you demonstrate evidence that Gallaudet would forbid its performance if there were? Unless you can answer "yes" to both of these questions, your assertion of hypocrisy is unfounded.
Jessica,
Do a little thought experiment. What do you think the reaction be if they had used Mohammed instead? Secondly, how come that particular play won't use Mohammed instead? Thirdly, people may say it's an "artistic" expression with a message but many may say it is a form of hate speech by defiling an image of such a figure.
As for plays depicting Mohammed in a similar manner? Why similar? How about exactly in that manner? Do you know of a play where Mohammed was depicted as a gay religious leader? And what would the purpose be?
And do you seriously think that Gallaudet would even allow such a play to take place with Mohammed?
My answer?
No. Think about it.
No, Mike. YOU are missing the point. The point, is, it WASN'T a play about Mohammed. They did the play as it was written. They did discussions after each showing to discuss the controversial nature of it. Nobody was forced to go. It made people think. That's the purpose of a university. And since you weren't there, and didn't even hear about it until months after it happened, I guess it didn't shake things up too much, now, did it?
There's always SOMEONE who can find something distasteful or offensive in just about everything. Take a look at the books that have been on the Banned Books list. Winnie the Pooh, for example.
A university's job is not to stifle expression. People who didn't like the topic or found it offensive just didn't have to go.
Anony 1:09 PM,
Er, where did I say the play was about Mohammed? I didn't. Read it again. You have missed completely my point in my argument. Firstly, they choose Jesus Christ because it was "easy pickings" in terms of what they may expect from people expressing outrage. Ok. How about using Mohammed instead the next time? And you know what? They'll never do that. So, your comment "A university's job is not to stifle expression," which I would find it hard to believe had they faced the same kind of play but only it'd be with Mohammed and his followers. Like I said, it's all about "easy pickings."
I don't think the play is irresponsible. Of course, using Mohammad would probably not happen, but this play is about Jesus and his disciples, which the writer chose to make the play about. He wanted to touch on the theme of homosexuality and Christianity. I don't find this offensive, probably because I am not religious in the least bit. I think it is thought provoking and interesting. I am all for discussions about taboo subjects, such as homosexuality, which I think the play generated. The people involved with this play are very, very brave. The playwright, McNally, have received several death threats over this play.
It would be interesting to have plays about the Mohammad or other religious figures depicted in this way. But, no one in their right mind would do a play depicting Mohammad as a gay man, for safety reasons. Remember what happened when a Danish cartoonist made a cartoon depicting the Mohammad in a negative light?
I understand what you are trying to say. Why not replace Jesus with Mohammad? Because now is not the right time, and no one wants to feel as if they were responsible for putting themselves and this country in danger.
(e
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Like I said, they purposely do this because of "easy pickings" knowing the outrage won't be as "loud" compared to putting Mohammed on instead. This is exactly where this hypocrisy stands out. Doesn't matter if it's "not the right time to do it" but a matter of wanton abuse as some people would see it as. If they really embrace this "freedom of expression and speech" then this Mohammed idea shouldn't hold them back.
This is about the double standards and hypocrisy when it really comes down to it. Make sure they own up to this equal opportunity standard to all religious figures in a play. Don't stop with Jesus Christ. And you know what, they'll never do that. That's where the hypocrisy would be.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/04/06/gallaudet
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