Readers Explain Uproar Over ‘Sister Mary Ignatius’

Having been in the eye of the storm, I didn’t think it could get more frightening. I attended the Costa Mesa City Council meeting on Oct. 1 and discovered I was wrong.

The Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse must not be “punished” in retaliation for the production of one play out of 26 seasons of art presented to meet the demand created by the citizens of Costa Mesa. To refuse the Playhouse funds that otherwise would have been granted is to castigate it for exercising a constitutional right to free speech. To renege on agreements the city made with the Playhouse regarding facilities during the weaning process from city funds can be viewed as nothing short of a cheap attempt to reprimand the Playhouse for presenting a controversial piece.

I performed in “Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You.” My 11-year-old son also performed in the production. As some council members said of themselves, I am not Catholic but I am a Christian. Unlike some others of my faith, I am not offended by Sister Mary. Quite the contrary, I found it an excellent opportunity to teach my child that he must ask himself the tough questions about what he believes. He must never let someone “explain it all” for him. And when he has asked himself these questions and has drawn his own conclusions, when someone else challenges those beliefs he will be standing on solid ground. He will not feel threatened or have to resort to refusing the right of others to question those beliefs in order to justify his own. It was also an opportunity to teach him that our government supports freedom of speech.

We live in a democracy. I doubt there is one of us who agrees with the city’s use of each and every tax dollar we pay. It is the very nature of our government that a little of what comes out of each citizen’s pocket will be put to use for the majority he is not a part of. I do not feel that the possible 2 cents that may have funded a particular play--out of the possible $2 that I, as a single taxpayer, doled out to support all the arts--is a significant loss. The quality of living those $2 buy me and the other citizens of Costa Mesa is well worth the 2 cents “lost” in funding one play, one musical presentation, one poetic reading or one art exhibit I might find personally offensive.

Costa Mesa City Council members seem willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Censorship of the Playhouse or a complete end of funding to the arts seemed to be the only options they would entertain. I cannot express how disappointed I am in the council members who represent me in Costa Mesa, save Council Member (Mary) Hornbuckle. She is the only one who seems to have any perspective whatsoever on the funding of the arts issue. Thank you, Ms. Hornbuckle, for your voice of reason. I hope, as you discuss these issues with fellow members in the future, that you can persuade them toward your good judgment.

As for me, I will continue to voice my support for unrestricted funding of the arts with city tax dollars. I will vehemently stand against any change in the city’s dealings with Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse in particular. I will continue to teach my children to question authority and come up with their own answers. I will use my vote as a 23-year member of the city of Costa Mesa to keep in office those officials who share a respect for all others, including those who disagree with his or her own views.

PEPPER HAMILTON RHOADS

Costa Mesa