Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Play About Iraq War Divides a School - AOL News

Top News- Play About Iraq War Divides a School - AOL News :

The really interesting thing about this story is that the play is the result of an assignment to create a play. The principal not only shut down the play in the school setting but is accused of trying prevent it from being performed off campus.

My own opinion is heck let 'em do it. If some folks don't agree, let them write their own play and put it on.  The students included material from many voices, what I read online looked pretty balanced to me. Oh, there is a link in the story to on website with a final version of the play.

It could have even been turned into a series of plays. Each one from a different point of view. It could actually be a tool to heal the divisions between us. Thing is too many people not only don't want to be exposed to a point of view they don't like, but they don't want anyone else to hear it either. And that is what really makes me angry. You don't want to watch a program, don't. The TV has an off switch. You don't have to read the book, you don't have to go to the film, you don't have to go to the play.

I think the argument I find most offensive is that the students are too young or inexperienced about the war to put this material. After all young adults a little older than these students are fighting and dying on both sides in this war. Some of these students may even be planning to join the military after graduation themselves. Who else has a better right to give bring the voices of all involved to life.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm amazed and saddened by how many people still refuse to accept that this war has been lost already.  

Russ

Anonymous said...

<Thing is too many people not only don't want to be exposed to a point of view they don't like, but they don't want anyone else to hear it either>

This is the crux of the whole matter...  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that Principal Buffoon shot down the kids' play. Now, instead of playing to a few parents and relatives, they have the attention of the whole country. --Cin

Anonymous said...

Another ironic thing is that adults make kids study US History and Government, and teach them all about free speech and why that makes America better than other countries.....then the example the same grownups set for our kids is often just the opposite as stifling the voices of people with a different opinion.

Anonymous said...

yet another reason to homeschool!