At American River Community College in Sacramento, CA, the student council is trying to raise money. So they’re thinking about holding a punk rock concert with a couple popular bands:
Former student council member Chuck Stevens has been working for a year and a half on a vision: A punk show on the community college campus that would raise tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships and textbooks. He’s hoping to book some big-name bands — including one called Flogging Molly.
“The bands I’ve mentioned will bring in a large revenue for us,” Stevens said. “In budget crisis time, this is a perfect event for us to be having.”
What’s the problem?
Those damn punk rockers will promote immoral behavior with their drugs and booze and sex and curse words.
At least that’s what another council member is saying:
“In terms of business, it’s not responsible,” [council member Viktor] Choban said. “Plus, on top of that, I don’t like the band. They curse, they swear, they drink on the stage. They’re fine with drugs.”
Stevens says the show would be free of drugs and alcohol. As for cursing, he said, “Sorry, but most rock and roll bands curse.”
Choban says they should then invite a Christian band to balance out the evilness. (Thus defeating the purpose of everything.)
I’m sure a Christian band on the roster would thrill the punk rock fans who would pay money to see the show…
Actually… I’m curious… What sort of lyrics does this despicable band sing?
lookin down through tide of no return,
is a field where the crops no longer grow.
parched is the land, strangled and bedamned,
there, for the grace of God go I.down beside where the riverbed sleeps,
is a man not knowing what he should feel.
mocked by the wave that beats the water’s edge,
there, for the grace of God
there, for the grace of God
there, for the grace of God go I.if i ever harked another like thee again,
i would drown myself beneath your name.
lost was the child we all once did hide,
there, for the grace of God
there, for the grace of God
there, for the grace of God go I.
Those evil sons of bitches…
Stevens is hopeful the council will vote in favor of holding the concert:
“This is not a religious school. It is not a Christian school. It is a public school,” he said.
“I didn’t put any Christian bands on there because this is not a Christian show. I didn’t put any reggae bands on there because this is not a reggae show. This is a punk slash rock and roll show.”
If you’re going to hold a concert, give the customers what they want. If some students want to bring Christian bands to the school, by all means, let them do it. But to vote no to a concert because a band might swear or follow morals different from your own is an awful argument to make at a college. Let students decide who they want to listen to — and pay for.
If you’re worried about immorality, feel free to take a walk around campus and preach to students personally. Stopping a band from playing won’t prevent whatever you think is the problem.
(Thanks to Kriss for the link!)
