My topic today isn’t really about the newspaper, because apparently our coverage is stellar, we’re fair and balanced in every word we write, and our genuine mistakes haven’t offended a single person. At least, it hasn’t come through on my e-mail.
OK, we did get one complaint recently, regarding the Oct. 8 article “A Spot in the Sun.” Our first mention of the former sorority house had the correct sorority name, Sigma Kappa. Then two subsequent references transposed the names. This was an error that we do regret.
We didn’t run an official correction, however, because we generally run errors only in situations where the correct name or fact was completely omitted and readers would have no way of knowing it. To explain other situations can be cumbersome and run the risk of further confusing readers. Again, the transposition was an error that we regret. And with that, on to my real topic.
Art is sometimes offensive. And who decides if it’s art or not?
This question is at the heart of Wednesday’s situation in the EMU Amphitheater (see “EPD halts performance in amphitheater,” ODE, Oct. 24). Don Goldman (you may have seen him singing and speaking — he has flowing white hair) recently has been performing what he calls his “Fuck Speech.”
I have been assaulted by this performance a few times while walking to and from classes. Consisting largely of that all-purpose swear word, he also peppers the curses with “Die! Die! Die!” and “Sit on your fat asses! Sit on your fat asses and watch TV!”
However, the first time I encountered this performance, I heard only the four-letter words and the “Die! Die! Die!” There were few people in the amphitheater, and it looked possible that Goldman had been giving a speech and was now engaged in an angry shouting match with an onlooker.
The second time I saw it, I was walking close by, and I wondered if he was pissed at me. As editor of the Emerald, I sometimes carry a bit of paranoia that certain community members hate me.
But here’s my real question, one I’m hoping our readers will respond to, because I think it’s an important social question: Does Goldman’s performance qualify as art?
The artistic-freedom supporter in me wants to say, “Yes, of course it’s art! Screw you! You can’t judge my art!” But I’m going to take a different position, at least provisionally. I’m open to being convinced otherwise.
Goldman’s “Fuck Speech” may be art, but I don’t think it should be allowed in the amphitheater as is.
Other offensive art is easily identifiable as art. If I walk into a gallery and see an offensive painting, I don’t say to myself, “Oh my gosh! It’s the real Holy Virgin Mary, smeared in elephant dung!” I know it’s art, however offended I may be.
With Goldman, however, I had no way of knowing this was a performance. Sometimes random people just step onto the amphitheater stage and start spouting off. I was never sure if Goldman’s tirade was directed at someone or if he might step down from the stage and start attacking people.
And telling me to “Eat shit and die!” — whether he intended to direct it specifically at me or not — really isn’t OK in a public place that we all have the right to transverse without verbal assault.
Why couldn’t Goldman have a little sign near his feet, identifying his art as such? Then I could stand, sip my coffee, enjoy the “shock” value of the performance, examine the potential for social change and artistic value, and generally have a snooty good time.
Well, I’ve said enough. Maybe I’ve offended some of you “free speech” types with your sniveling sympathies and your disregard for the rest of us walking to class. Write in and tell me about it.
Contact the editor in chief
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His opinions do not necessarily represent those of the Emerald.