Every year the theatre department of the university puts on a children’s play to which elementary schools in the region bring their students. Our elementary school has attended for more than twenty years. A week or so before our son was due to go on this school trip I heard through the local grapevine that the trip had been cancelled.<\/p>\n
Rumours raged, gossip was passed on as fact and no one was prepared to say in public what the problem was. I was pissed the trip was cancelled without any public consultation. Consequently, I wrote the following to the local newspaper.<\/p>\n
\nBecause of the lobbying efforts of a group of people, the annual field trip to see the children’s play at the University of Minnesota, Morris has been cancelled.<\/p>\n
All Morris Area Elementary School parents have the right to decide for themselves which activities their children participate in. In this case, though, parents have been denied that right and not even been invited to participate in the conversation.<\/p>\n
If you think you should have been allowed to make the choice, regardless of what that choice would have been, please contact the elementary school principal.<\/p>\n
It is important that the school hear from parents who believe they should have made the choice and not had it made for them.<\/p>\n
A group of fifth grade parents will be taking their children to see the play on Thursday, 21st April, at 1 p.m. Please consider joining us. Today it’s the children’s play, tomorrow what else will be lost without public discussion?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
While I was fuming at home and to fellow parents about the stupidity of all this, others in our community were equallly unhappy. The director of the play shared information in the local press about the play’s actual content and the process that he went through in creating a production suitable for the local community. (The sets were stunning, the acting troupe marvellous and the play had important things to say about bullying and tolerance that are very pertinent for the students in our school district.) The Chancellor of the university funded a ‘parent’s preview’ of the production. Of course few parents came as we don’t actually want to make a decision based on the facts. Rumour and gossip are oh so much more accurate.<\/p>\n
You’ll be pleased to hear several schools ignored the gossip and brought their children to see a wonderful (and entirely appropriate) production. In fact one of these school’s superintendents decided to bring their school after attending the parent’s preview. Many parents joined the group of fifth grade parents I mentioned in my letter and pulled their children from school for the afternoon so that they could attend the play. There have been a flurry of letters to the editor (see below) criticising the behaviour of those who had acted to cancel the school trip and praising the production. <\/p>\n
So far no one has publicly declared themselves one of this instigators of this episode. Clearly when rumour, gossip and threats are your weapons you need to act in secret and scuttle about in the dark. <\/p>\n
When will Hell freeze over? Current temperature 30F\/-1C (windchill 16F\/-9C)<\/p>\n
The following links point to Letters to the Editor that others have written in response to this controversy. I agree with all of them except where noted.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The following Letter to the Editor was published in the Morris Sun Tribune<\/a> on Saturday 16th April 2005.<\/p>\n
\nDecision to skip show disappointing<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Morris Human Rights Commission is disappointed in the decision of the Morris Area Elementary School and St. Mary\u2019s School to cancel attendance at this year\u2019s Children Theater production on the UMM campus.<\/p>\n
Tolerance of diversity and appreciations of difference are central to the quality of our society and are enshrined in our state and federal laws. They are the reason for the existence of this commission.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s children\u2019s play explicitly focused on this theme of tolerance of diversity. That some parents find this focus unsettling is regrettable but not surprising. That the schools would allow that discomfort to cancel the participation of all of the students is deeply disturbing.<\/p>\n
We have lost an important opportunity to help our youth understand the value of tolerance. For those parents who wish to take their children to the play, performances are at 1 p.m. on April 21, 22, 27, 29 and at 10 a.m. on April 22, 28 and 29 in the Proscenium Theater, UMM.<\/p>\n
Ann Streed, Bert Ahern, Mike Miller, Tom McRoberts, Jerry Schmidt, Jody Snow, Twig Webster\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nThe following Letter to the Editor was published in the Morris Sun Tribune<\/a> on Wednesday 20th April 2005.<\/p>\n\n Smear campaign on Cootie Shots<\/strong><\/p>\n
Apparently there has been a smear campaign aimed at the production of Cootie Shots which will be playing at the UMM theater. I am greatly saddened to think that the schools in our area were so easily influenced into cancelling the planned trip to see the play. Apparently, not only the children of our burg need to be educated about the realities of bullying.<\/p>\n
There is a preview of the show Wednesday, and I hope all concerned parents attend. If the content is as unobjectionable as claimed by the director (who is apparently one of few who actually knows what the content is) then I hope parents will consider taking their children, or sending them with groups who have indicated they still intend to go.<\/p>\n
I especially would challenge the authors of this campaign of misinformation — who have apparently not identified themselves — to go to the preview. If, after all, the concerns were justified, then they can feel vindicated. If not, and the claims of the director prove out, then I think an apology to that director is in order.<\/p>\n
I was very impressed with the apparent thought and consideration that the director showed, in the sympathetic dealings with content choice, and the patient and thorough answers provided to concerns voiced (Morris Sun Tribune, April 16). Though I have no children in the Morris school system, I plan to attend a showing of Cootie Shots in order to judge for myself whether this hullabaloo was as blown out of proportion as I suspect. Sadly, with the show no longer part of the school\u2019s planned day, I fear the result will be that far fewer children will benefit from a day of fun and education.<\/p>\n
Dori Coler, Morris\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
The following Letters to the Editor were published in the Morris Sun Tribune<\/a> on Wednesday 27th April 2005.<\/p>\n
\nPeter Pan is real problem<\/strong><\/p>\n
Bewildered by all the fuss, I asked my Guru if children should go see the upcoming production of Cootie Shots at UMM. She said I was barking up the wrong treehouse. It was the Morris Area High School’s upcoming production of Peter Pan that I should be worried about. After all, Peter wore tights and sold his home to Michael Jackson. Captain Hook and his crew had pet cooties living in their hair. Tinkerbell, the fairy? Protecting the Lost Boys? Heaven forbid! Do we have our heads in the sand or what? We must not let godless notions such as diversity, tolerance and imagination unravel the moral fiber of our children.<\/p>\n
James G. Moore, Morris<\/p>\n
Let children learn acceptance<\/strong><\/p>\n
You have to be kidding me. Are we not living in 2005? I thought we were. All of the parents and school officials in my opinion that are withdrawing tickets and not allowing these children to attend (the University of Minnesota, Morris Children\u2019s Theater production, \u201cCootie Shots??) are doing them a terrible injustice.<\/p>\n
Please people, open up your narrow minds. Break the cycle and allow your children to love and accept all human beings. What most of you don’t realize yet is that some of you are raising a gay child right now. But they in some way at this young age already know something is different and special about them. Yes, I did say special. We are all different and all special.<\/p>\n
I am the mother of a gay son. He is graduating with a double major from (UMM) in May. He is kind-hearted, talented, giving and very loved by his family. The world is a better place because he is in it. What kind of message are you sending to these kids who already know they may be different from you as far as their sexuality is concerned? And then we sit back and wonder why the suicide rate is so high among the gay youth population. Be careful of your actions and your words because your child listening to you right now just might be gay and you don’t know it yet. Please step into 2005 and let your children be loving and accepting human beings. It is just my opinion — we all have one. Thanks for letting me express mine.<\/p>\n
Julie Anderson, Grand Rapids, Minn.<\/p>\n
Teacher: Cootie Shots has merit<\/strong><\/p>\n
I attended the free April 20 parent preview of Cootie Shots. I enjoyed it very much. The show promoted the idea that although people have different types of abilities, interests and backgrounds and families, all people should be treated kindly and with respect. The show had a strong anti-bullying message. I am a junior high teacher, and I know that oftentimes a school\u2019s attempts to stop bullying do not work. I wish more kids had seen this version of Cootie Shots. I think it had high potential to get through to bullies and to give hope to bullied kids. It would have been a great play for all students, kindergarten through 12th grade, to see.<\/p>\n
Jane Jost, Morris<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
I don’t agree with the following letter. I’d have had more respect for this ’emailing mom’ if she’d written a letter to the editor and brought her concerns to the community. She didn’t, I suspect because then others would have had the opportunity to challenge her assertions. <\/p>\n
A public policy decision, made behind closed doors, is not something that deserves praise.<\/p>\n
\nHats off to Morris mom\u2019s email<\/strong><\/p>\n
Having lived in Morris for the first 20 years of my life, upon seeing the article in the April 20 edition of the Minneapolis Star Tribune paper, titled “Schools cancel tickets for ‘Cootie Shots’ play,” I knew I needed to write the editor. It does my heart good to know there are still some areas where families can and will say enough is enough! My hats off to the mom who took the action and e-mailed the other schools. It appears most schools agreed with you; it only takes one parent to get the ball rolling. I hope everyone takes note of it. It\u2019s time for the tail to stop wagging the dog; well done Morris!<\/p>\n
Mel Foss, Norwood\/Young America\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nThe following Letters to the Editor were published in the Morris Sun Tribune<\/a> on Saturday 30th April 2005.<\/p>\n\nMany told to not make noise<\/strong><\/p>\n
An April 20, 2005 Minneapolis Tribune article by Paul Levy covered the controversial “Cootie Shots” touring show from UMM. I guess if “art imitates life” and if the idea of art is to speak to the larger community, then “Cootie Shots” may have been a success, whether all the children saw it or not.<\/p>\n
I was a part of that first touring production from UMM 35 years ago when I was still doing morning sign on at KMRS radio. We were proud of that first effort. But we certainly did not have nearly the impact of this production.<\/p>\n
There was a quote from Laura Carrington, a Morris school board member and retired teacher; “Oh it’s very obvious. There is a script called ‘The Parable of the Stimples.’ The Stimples are people who are told that it’s OK to make loud noises, but just don’t make them in public. Isn’t that similar to what, for years, homosexuals were told?”<\/p>\n
I guess other things struck me as more obvious. Blacks were (are) told that it’s OK to be … just don’t make any “loud noises” or step out of your place.<\/p>\n
Women, even in the U.S., not long ago, were told that it was OK for them “to be seen but not heard.”<\/p>\n
Disabled people have always (maybe still) endured the message that “while you can’t help what you look like, we don’t really want to see you around us and our children. You are disturbing.”<\/p>\n
The Vietnam vets came home to a country that pretty successfully ignored them and gave them the message to “not make any noise.”<\/p>\n
Certainly the Jews, for generations were told that (maybe) it was OK for them to be. … but just don’t call attention to yourselves in public; until, of course, Hitler went on his rampage to kill them all.<\/p>\n
Maybe most obvious, historically, is a religious figure. Now, of course, the public university would not dare promote a blatantly Christian message. However, isn’t it pretty obvious that they could have been making a subtle reference to Jesus Christ? Certainly the Pharisees and the officials of the time (and probably his family and friends) told him; “Don’t make such noises and draw attention. Certainly don’t declare in public who you are!” We know what happened to him.<\/p>\n
We also know that his insistence on carrying the words of love, tolerance, non-judgement and acceptance of others has endured for centuries.<\/p>\n
Bob Flynn, Minneapolis<\/p>\n
Hats off in mourning<\/strong><\/p>\n
Regarding the “hat’s off to Morris mom’s email” letter from the April 27 edition, I agree, we should all remove our hats. We should remove them to mourn the loss of civility evidenced by this anonymous mom’s display of ignorance and fear. We should remove them to mourn the openly bigoted, homophobic remarks of a school board member published in the Star Tribune. And we should remove them to mourn the fact that this small fearful group bullied our elementary principal into making a most unprincipled decision, a decision to placate the bigoted, and accomodate the intolerant. Ask any of this fearful group to define irony. … I bet they can’t.<\/p>\n
Pete Boever, Morris <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
The following Letter to the Editor was published in the Morris Sun Tribune<\/a> on Wednesday 4th May 2005.<\/p>\n
\nSchool\u2019s decision narrow-minded<\/strong><\/p>\n
My husband and I are spending two weeks visiting family in Morris. We are from Michigan. We had the privilege of attending “Cootie Shots” at the University of Minnesota, Morris\u2019 Proscenium Theatre. The 13 short skits were performed very professionally and really stressed love. “Love and respect yourself. Love and respect each other. Eat the right foods. Listen to your parents.”<\/p>\n
What important messages in the times we live in.<\/p>\n
I cannot believe that the schools of Morris were so narrow-minded that they cancelled the school classes going to the performances. I certainly would consider twice moving here and educating my children here, when such discrimination abounds with the administration and the school board.<\/p>\n
Where I live in Michigan we do not have the university to offer such knowledge and information to students in our public schools. The people of Morris are so honored to have the talent and theater for their students to attend.<\/p>\n
I would hope that the school system offers their sincere apologies to the university and the excellent performers for not attending their production.<\/p>\n
Thanks University of Minnesota, Morris, for the wonderful performances.<\/p>\n
Bonnie Doster, Monroe, Mich.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
The following Letters to the Editor were published in the Morris Sun Tribune<\/a> on Wednesday 11th May 2005.<\/p>\n
\n MAES leadership out to lunch<\/strong><\/p>\n
I regret that I was out of town at the time \u201cCootie Shots?? was presented at the University of Minnesota, Morris. It must have been a wonderful way to teach tolerance.<\/p>\n
I even more deeply regret that the leadership at Morris Area Elementary was out to lunch when their students were invited to the performance.<\/p>\n
Darlene Ross, Benson<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n \u2018Cootie Shots\u2019 has lessons for all ages<\/strong><\/p>\n
I would like to respond to an article in the April 20 Minneapolis Star Tribune, regarding the University of Minnesota, Morris production of the play “Cootie Shots.”<\/p>\n
I am proud citizen of Morris, Minnesota, and a member of the Morris Area School Board. My comments are personal, and are not the comments of the school board. However. I will publicly state that the comments in the April 20 article (\u201cSchools cancel tickets for ‘Cootie Shots’ play amid gay concerns??) were also not the comments of the Morris Area School Board.<\/p>\n
In one sense, I am glad the play \u201cCootie Shots?? resulted in controversy. If the controversy had not arisen, I would not have attended the production. For me it would have come and gone without recognition. When I saw the reaction generated by this play I was curious. I was also disappointed by the fear and anger circulating through the community. How ironic that a play teaching tolerance and civility would itself be censured.<\/p>\n
So on April 23, I took two of my children, ages 7 and 4, to “Cootie Shots.” I was worried about taking such young children to the play, not because of the content but rather because I wasn’t sure they would sit still. As it turned out, they were so engrossed in the play they hardly moved — except when the audience was invited to participate. The three of us had a wonderful time. The lessons in \u201cCootie Shots?? were timeless. Don’t tease. Be proud of who you are. Accept others who are different. Be nice.<\/p>\n
Could my children have been influenced in a negative way by “Cootie Shots,” in particular the controversial \u201cParable of the Stimples??? Absolutely not. This was actually my son’s favorite story because the characters made loud, funny noises (something most children enjoy). Could an adult have read content into the play that was not overt? Sure. If that was your desire, you could see hidden meaning. But maybe the lesson for those adults — for those members of the community who were so opposed to this production — is this: look at the play through the eyes of a child. Enjoy it. And be nice.<\/p>\n
Amy Doll-Wohlers, Morris<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Every year the theatre department of the university puts on a children’s play to which elementary schools in the region bring their students. Our elementary school has attended for more than twenty years. A week or so before our son … Continue reading