The only valid censorship of ideas is the right of people not to listen.

[melayneseahawk]

So, the Monologues got an e-mail about possibly performing at Maryland Day, an event on campus aimed at advertising campus programs, clubs, departments, etc. to local schools, parents of students, alumni, the works. A and I responded saying that we'd love to perform. We got this in response:

Hello [names redacted],

I am not sure if the Maryland Day student talent showcase would be an appropriate venue for your performance. Because of the nature of Maryland Day, the vast majority of people visiting the Stamp that day are families with young children. For this reason, we feature family friendly programming in the building that day. The language and content of the Vagina Monologues do not fit with this model.

While we value your organization and you mission, the Stamp unfortunately cannot offer you a performance space at Maryland Day.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

[name redacted]
Program Coordinator
[contact info]

I just started to laugh, and then I called A, who started ranting at me about censorship and bigotry and "how dare they!" and "we should!"; basically all the things I'd been thinking, but louder. We've decided to fight the decision, of course. We're going to send an e-mail, of which this is the first draft:

We were already aware that Maryland Day is a family-friendly event, and had been planning on selecting a set of monologues that were not too extreme in their content or language. However, we think that as an activist student organization, especially one whose beneficiary is a campus program (SARPP at the Health Center), we think it is our right and responsibility to perform, raise awareness, and collect donations whenever we can.

We would be perfectly happy to send your office a copy of the exact script we intend to present so that you know what to expect. We do not, however, believe that it is fair or reasonable for us to be unequivocally denied the chance to present at a University event.

Then, if they still say no, we're going to put the word in the appropriate ears (Women's Studies Department, Pride Alliance, etc.) and watch the fireworks.

Mom's told me not to get myself arrested.

(title quote by Tommy Smothers)

Comments

[kashmir-ki-kali.livejournal.com]

I can understand them sending that if they didn't know you were gonna edit the original script. I hope they ok the abridged version!!

[allandaros.livejournal.com]

The thing is, though, that they should mention concerns before flatly saying "No, we're not going to give you a space." Something to the effect of "We're interested in having your performance, but we're concerned about content, blah blah blah."

[kashmir-ki-kali.livejournal.com]

Ah, true, you make a good point.

Also, I enjoyed your above D&D response :D

[allandaros.livejournal.com]

First Edition REPRESENT!

And hey, you know us adventurers. Always ready to lay the smackdown on trolls and other wandering monsters.

[melayneseahawk.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I would have liked them to have said. We'll see what happens.