May 3, 2008
Wilton students' 'Voices' controversy included in new book
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The Voices in Conflict controversy, in which a play about the Iraq War created by Wilton High School students was canceled by the school administration last spring, is now included in a book.
The book, Standing Up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times, is by the sister and brother team of Amy and David Goodman. Ms. Goodman is known for hosting Pacifica Radio’s Democracy Now! show, and Mr. Goodman is an investigative journalist.
According to the book’s description, it is a “look at who wields the greatest power in America — everyday people who take a chance and stand up for what they believe in.”
The Voices in Conflict story is examined by the authors. Wilton High students proposed to put on a play based on the writings of American soldiers in Iraq and other documents, but high school principal Tim Canty canceled the play on the grounds that it lacked a balance of presenting both sides of the Iraq War.
The New York Times wrote a story on the controversy, leading to many letters from both Wilton residents and people from across the country. Supporters of the play said canceling it was censorship, while its detractors claimed it was unbalanced and failed to cite its sources properly. The play eventually was performed at venues other than Wilton, including prominent theaters in New York City.
Besides the Wilton controversy, the book covers stories on Malik Rahim, a former member of the Black Panthers, who saw racism in the way the New Orleans government responded to poor and minority groups following Hurricane Katrina, Connecticut librarians who would not comply with a request to monitor their patrons under the Patriot Act, and the first U.S. Army officer to refuse to go to Iraq.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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