From: "Michael Williams" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 22:51:12 -0700

I just rejoined the list today, and am not sure if this has been
mentioned to the forum.  In today's Tribune (9/3), the front page had a
story on a Mesa, Arizona junior high production of Tom Sawyer which has
been cancelled by the school superintendant.  Reasons given for the
cancellation include "negative portrayals of characters Injun Joe, the
constable and Becky Thatcher, Aunt Polly and Amy Lawrence."  It also
cites problems with the play's religious references and a boy in the
play who is termed a "sissy."

The drama teacher, Sonya Brittin, is obviously upset and she and her
students are protesting the cancellation.  On the other side of the
argument is associate superintendant Deb Duvall, who actually consulted
the district's "diversity specialist" before making her decision (a
parental compaint also played a role).

Besides the blatant censorship and knee-jerk reaction to a story the
administration obviously knows very little about, what really annoyed me
was Duvall's explanation to why she made the decision she did:

"Duvall said potentially offensive issues, such as religion, ethnicity,
race and gender, need to be put in context with the era in which they
were created.  'A play doesn't do that,' she said, explaining that a
play only serves to entertain."  Excuse me?  With that line of reasoning
I could really cut down on my high school curriculum.  "The Crucible?
Hey, it's just a scary tale of witchcraft.  Class, go see the "Blair
Witch Project" and you'll get the same benefit.  Our Town?  No message
there.  And, yes, let's just throw out everything written by that
Shakespeare guy since we can gleam everything he has to say by reading
about the Globe Theatre!"

If anybody would like/need more information on this, email me at
[log in to unmask]

Mike Williams