Dear OU Administration,
It has come to my attention that you pressured Dr. Richard Suk into not allowing the Marching 110 to perform Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” this past Saturday in an effort to keep the peace with a small handful of people who are offended by that song.
Frankly, I’m upset, disappointed and disgusted with your lack of support for the man who has brought your marching band, school of music, College of Fine Arts and university as a whole into the international spotlight. This man and this band have gone leaps and bounds beyond their regular duties.
Maybe this song is not the most mature song in the world. Sure, it’s vulgar to an extent. The great thing about music/marching bands/football games though, is that if you don’t like what’s happening, you can leave! Change the station, cover your ears, or don’t show up in the first place! Either way, you have options, and just because you don’t like a song gives you no right to decide the day before a performance that the music is inappropriate.
You have set a dangerous precedent, OU administration.
What if someone writes in saying the dance team is too provocative? Will you censor their choreography?
What if someone complains that the cheerleaders’ stunts are too dangerous? Will you dumb down their routines?
What if someone thinks that the art of some of our world-renowned art professors isn’t family friendly? Will you tell them to create something new?
Any level-headed adult would tell these people to turn away, or don’t watch, or don’t involve yourself with the event. But now, you must abide by their wishes, because you did it for one person, and now you must do it for all.
President, Vice President, Dean of Students, Provost and anyone else involved in this decision to censor the Marching 110, enjoy your new jobs of trying to please everybody in the world. That includes every race, every sexual orientation, every political view, every religion and every person that feels offended by the smallest of problems. When that doesn’t work out, be sure to write Dr. Richard Suk and the Marching 110 a formal and public apology. I look forward to reading that letter.
Rocco Contini is an Ohio University alumnus who graduated in May 2013 and studied music education.
