growth, expression
Letter to the Editor
As most students already know, Saint Mary's College has canceled a play called "The Vagina Monologues." This is somewhat ironic, considering that Notre Dame and SMC administrators seem to speak only in monologues.
Did SMC administrators gather student opinions before canceling this play? Did they have an open forum before making a final decision? It seems they simply issued a decree and considered that the end of any conversation.
This should not surprise students of either college.
In the same issue of The Observer philosophy professor Ed Manier was quoted, "How can any of us (CLC) hope to accomplish real change in an environment where student life administrators dictate what we can and cannot do?"
There is simply a pattern of denying discussion on certain issues either school deems inappropriate.
If SMC is paying for sets, costumes or stage help then they do have the right to cancel this play since it is the College's money.
If not then they are simply denying the students of SMC intellectual freedom, which is a far greater disgrace than a sexually oriented play.
If people feel strongly against the play's message, then they should be able to protest outside the entrance to it. That is how groups and ideas are heard. Not through an imperial decree, but through open conversation and, yes, confrontation.
We may learn many things while we attend college. But in the end, if we haven't learned to engage ideas that may contradict our beliefs, learned to face those who challenge our way of thinking and learned how to interact in a world of diverse views and backgrounds then we haven't learned the only lesson that matters. We can only hope both schools' administrations recognize this.
Kevin Suhanic
Morrissey Manor
freshman
January 23, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Wednesday, January 24, 2001
