|
|
Post by arts on Mar 18, 2006 6:43:53 GMT -8
|
|
Great news but weird article
Guest
|
Post by Great news but weird article on Mar 18, 2006 9:47:52 GMT -8
I think this is great, the opening of the new center in theDowntown... and I say that even regardless of what happens to the Canyon Property. Downtown really needs something like this. What I'm not sure about is the angle the article was taking toward the end (especially the parts not reprinted here) with that McDonald guy. Every time I read something from this guy, it's got some sort of religious-conflict angle to it.
The whole thing about the school being great because he thinks Christian's aren't normally welcome in the arts, and this school will welcome Christians. Has that been an issue of particular concern to AZUSA? I certainly don't agree with that suggestion. Maybe it's not the case between the politics, APU's admin, school board etc, but as far as the RESIDENTS go on that (non-)issue, I see everyone getting along very well here. Honestly, I don't think we as Azusans (or artists for that matter) have to worry about being rejected for believing in Jesus.
My family is Christian, and I guess you could say of the more liberal persuasion. I hope the school is welcoming to everyone of all walks of life, I'm sure it is. But I bring this up because I read a few years ago before moving here, how the McDonald guy didn't want concerns of gay people to be addressed by the Azusa Human Relations commission (which he used to be chair of), which is a ridiculous, terrible stance to take in such a role. So whenever I read this man's name or see him at things like Hands Across Azusa (ironically), ''he's against gays'' somewhat understandably pop into my head. With the number of gay people I personally know of in Azusa, not mention many here in the Cove, that's the only possibility I'd be concerned about.
A performing arts school that wouldn't be open to gay people, that would certainly be worth a story. But I don't think there's a newsworthy story in ''Christian's being unwelcome.'' The story should have been about the center, period. The religious angle that this McDonald guy was again trying to talk up is nothing more than an ''issue'' in a cohesive, open, mutually accepting communty where there really is NO such issue.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rick MacDonald on Mar 30, 2006 10:42:01 GMT -8
I'd like to take a moment to respond to the March 18 blog which pertains to comments concerning my statements in the Tribune article about the Ovation School for the Performing Arts.
The matter of Christians and the arts was not something I brought up in the interview, but was a response to a question as to why I would bring this school to Azusa. My response had nothing to do with Christians being welcomed in the arts, instead it had to do with Christians not accepting Christians who pursue the arts. While this is a generalized statement, it is true in many Christain circles. Somehow the arts have a negative connotation in many churches, and I feel creativity needs to be encouraged. So this was not a statement made about Azusa residents, it was a response as to why I've partnered with Ovation, particularly as a pastor. It was and is a personal passion of mine to encourage people to use their creative passions and abilities.
As to the gay matter stated in the blog, the statments that I didn't want concerns of gay people addressed by the commission is not true. The Human Relations Commission was birthed out of the Hate Crime Task Force which I was a part of. The purpose for the HRC was to build an atmosphere of acceptance of all people regardless of religious, political or sexual views. Our biggest problem in Azusa was hate crimes which were a prominent brown on black problem. We never made a distinction between gay or gang issues, because we were, and I assume the commission still is, about a community where everyone feels welcome - not because of a particular position or belief, but because we're all fellow citizens. In fact, when the HRC was in the process of being assembled, Mayor Madrid asked if I felt the commission should be strictly faith based, and I told her and the panel I strongly opposed that. I said it should be an inclusive commission which addressed all the citizens of Azusa. There were some, however, who felt the commission should focus primarily on issues which weren't in the forefront of human relations in Azusa. So I, with all the other commissioners spent many months defining the parameters of the commissions role in our community and it included every citizen - period.
Finally, Ovation School of the Performing Arts is NOT a Christian organization. It is a community based school open to everyone regardless of religion, sex, age, race or sexual preference. Are the directors Christians? Yes. But that shouldn't be the question. The question should be will those who choose to become students at Ovation receive the absolute best, quality training available? And to that we give a resounding "Yes!"
So whoever you are, Christian or gay, male or female, 7 or 70, whatever your country of origin, you are welcome at Ovation.
As a final note, the first production, which will come out of a childrens workshop, will be a presentation of "School House Rock" at the APU Little Theater, (which we chose because it's the only venue in Azusa which has everything needed for a quality production - not because it's a Christian university) the weekend of May 9th. We'd love to have all of Azusa come and support this show.
Also, this Saturday, April 1, will be the grand opening of Ovation from 10:00 am to noon. Ribbon cutting will be at 10:00 am, and we'd love everyone who can to stop by and check out the facilities.
Thanks for your time,
Rick MacDonald
|
|
|
|
Post by Excellent Response on Mar 30, 2006 21:36:56 GMT -8
Rick, thank you for the explanation on the back ground of the school and HRC. I think by you addressing this yourself you cleared up some of the mis-information expressed by the previous post. I think there is a subtle bias against Christians going into the arts. APU is a large, private Christian Liberal Arts University, so makes sense to partner with this community - not to mention there are no other suitable venues (yet) in Azusa.
And, as far as the previous post, I have to say that the comments seemed off-base and inflammatory. One quote stated, "A performing arts school that wouldn't be open to gay people, that would certainly be worth a story. But I don't think there's a newsworthy story in ''Christian's being unwelcome.'' How biased is that comment. Apparently, this poster thinks if you are gay you can be oppressed, but not if you are a Christian. Nice double standard!
|
|
|
|
Post by Thank you on Mar 31, 2006 7:12:12 GMT -8
Thank you for your response, Mr. MacDonald. As said by the previous post, it does clear up any misperceptions that are out there. "A performing arts school that wouldn't be open to gay people, that would certainly be worth a story. But I don't think there's a newsworthy story in ''Christian's being unwelcome.'' How biased is that comment. Apparently, this poster thinks if you are gay you can be oppressed, but not if you are a Christian. Nice double standard! It's too bad the ''Excellent's'' post had to play ''bad cop,'' though. Talk about taking a comment out of context. I believe the comment was referring to their already-stated opinion that there isn't such a problem of Christian-Bias in Azusa. To somehow reconstitute that into meaning he or she is biased against gays is just plain ludicrous. Please try to be sensible and not further divisive. The forming of the Human Relations Commission came out of the Hate Crimes Task Force, and it came with some controversey among a few of its particpants. That is where such stories are rooted and get talked about for years. The only difference now is that, unlike before at least as I recall, none of the participants ever spoke in public about it to clear things up. Mr. MacDonald just did and that is commendable. |
|
