Dear Alma, I’m a singer in Washington and I’m scared

Dear Alma,

I am a singer in Washington, DC, and I was very disappointed that the Kennedy Center has announced it has cancelled an upcoming performance featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC. This was a concert in tandem with National Symphony to perform “A Peacock Among Pigeons”. 

Will this be the end of the open exchange of ideas?

Afraid 

Dear Afraid,

This is indeed both disappointing and scary. When arts organizations begin to bow to the demands of government, it is a harbinger of a dark future. The Kennedy Center has issued a statement saying it had made the decision to replace the concert with the Wizard of Oz  (pictured) for financial and scheduling reasons.

No one can predict the future, but the present is becoming more and more restrictive every moment. I myself am frightened for the future, for my colleagues, for the arts and freedom. I feel powerless.

Afraid, the arts are about and for all of us. Although these are dark time, and surely will get darker, we must hold on to our principles and support one another, in whatever way we can possibly muster.

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