If you read my blogs, you already know that I don't normally watch awards programs. I haven't been to Broadway in years. I'd not seen any of the current plays. And, I didn't recognize many of the faces. But, I usually like the song and dance numbers during the Tonys and thought it might be an enjoyable experience.
Of course, I didn't expect a certain "raging bull".
Even censored, twice, I found it horrifying. And, I think any parent who tries to raise their children well, any teacher who works with those children, as well as any adult who cares about the future generation at all should feel the same. I have a well rehearsed speech that I've given over and over to classrooms and individual students over the years. "There are words that you use when you are with your friends that you don't use in public. You have to know how to speak in civilized society. You've been brainwashed by the music you listen to and by the television programs and movies that you watch. You have to understand what is appropriate and what isn't."
They always looked at me like I was so out of touch with reality.
Well, I might be out of touch in their minds, but my message was certainly justified when some unnamed actor took the stage, front and center at the Tonys. I don't want to mention his name. He doesn't deserve it in my blog. But, even though this actor has been around - a really, really long time - he didn't act any more maturely than the middle school students I lectured. He should have known better. But, he spewed out obscenities, twice, and proved he didn't belong in a china shop, the Tony stage, or any kind of public setting. And to make matters worse, he received a standing ovation from many of those present in the audience.
If this crowd approved of the profanity, is it any kind of stretch to say they have helped to brainwash the youth who listen to their music and watch their performances? Patti LuPone gave a speech about the Suffragists who started the Theater Wing in World War I, women who knew how to fight for what they believed in. In her conclusion she stated that, "Artists must continue to find the courage to be society's moral compass". I totally agree for standing up for your rights as the Suffragists did. I agree with standing up for the rights of all people - young, old, Democrat, Republican, black, white, brown and any color in between. But, I cannot give my moral compass to a group of people who applauded a raging bull.
I was raised with a very good amount of the Golden Rule. I learned all about doing unto others as you wanted done unto you. And, when I didn't live up to that standard (which happened more than I'd like to admit), there always seemed to be a bar of Ivory soap all too conveniently within my mother's grasp to wash out my mouth. I know the Democrats hate the president. I know that the Republicans hate Hillary. But, I'm also very aware that venom solves nothing. Too much of it kills, but it solves nothing. We have to learn to get along with each other. We need compassion, compromise, kindness and understanding. We need a very large dose of the Golden Rule.
I believe that politics don't belong at the Tony Awards. Not ever. I also believe that if anyone was going to say two words to the president this week, they should have been, "Happy Birthday!"