On Jul 20, 2005, at 12:12 PM, Tyler Turner wrote:
Without having an understanding of the full history of
this issue, the measures and time needed to change the
system, and the possible negative implications of
doing so (for example, how many teachers are really
qualified to teach a young man to do this without
ruining his voice?), I don't feel I'm in a place to
ridicule Texas for this. This single story obviously
doesn't give us a full picture of what has happened or
what is being done now.
Amen.
I think this thing has been blown way out of proportion. In
particular, turning it into a "red state" issue, in which all us
enlightened people insult and ridicule those stupid Middle Americans
for their supposed backwardness, is way out of line. Even if this one
school is doing something wrong -- and it's not clear to me that it is
-- that's still no reason to malign the entire state.
I can think of plenty of good reasons to want to keep a boy out of the
soprano section of a choir, and likewise for keeping the girls out of
the tenor section. It's possible that in this case it really is
quasi-homophobia where someone disapproves of a boy singing "like a
girl", but I think it's more likely just a reasonable rule being
applied strictly.
Some of the commentary treats it as if it's a civil rights issue, like
the state is denying the kid his right to sing countertenor. Hogwash.
He can sing countertenor all he likes. They're just saying they don't
have a spot for him in the soprano section of the school choir. If
he's as good as everyone says, I'm not sure the school choir is the
best place for him anyway.
mdl
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