Michelangelo's David Deemed Pornographic in Florida

[PeterRS]

As widely reported, the head teacher of a Florida School has resigned after sixth-grade students were shown images of arguably one of the greatest statues ever created - that of Michelangelo's David in the Accademia in Florence.The students were being given a lesson on Renaissance art.  A copy of the statue stands proudly for all to see, adults and children alike, in Florence's main square.

All because one parent deemed the statue pornographic and two others felt they should have been told about the 'reveal' beforehand. All this for a figure who features prominently in the Bible which presumably all these holier-than-thou people worship weekly if not daily!

What is this ridiculous world coming to - or more specifically all these utterly bigoted, stupid idiots? 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65071989

[Riobard]

Inanimate proudly? 

[Riobard]

I thought that a few froth-flecked parents opined that the David genital size reflects the Ancient Greek ideal of pre-pubescent male nudity. So they make an important point in the conversation according to the fundamentalist right. Not merely brains by Mattel after all. [Kidding]

They slung a stone very effectively. One more educator casualty. Too bad kids bear the brunt; fuck they must be confused with such convoluted thinking passed down.

[Suckrates]

The ridiculousness of this is bordering on LUNACY......  All these repressed Catholic National Conservatists need to exile themselves to a private island where they can execute and enforce whatever Extreme mandated bullshit they want.    They dont belong amongst us "normal" folks that dont see an inanimate piece of marble as "PURIENT". . 

[kokopelli3]

29 minutes ago, Suckrates said:

The ridiculousness of this is bordering on LUNACY......  All these repressed Catholic National Conservatists need to exile themselves to a private island where they can execute and enforce whatever Extreme mandated bullshit they want.    They dont belong amongst us "normal" folks that dont see an inanimate piece of marble as "PURIENT". . 

I didn't read anything about Catholics or Catholic organizations being involved in this matter?

[vinapu]

10 hours ago, PeterRS said:

All because one parent deemed the statue pornographic and two others felt they should have been told about the 'reveal' beforehand.

those stupid parent would  do better if they talked to their children if only to find out what they already know and what they see on internet when parents are not home or already sleeping.

if such things can happen in one of most technologically advanced countries no wonder about Taliban stoning adulterers in Afghanistan, novelty soon to be imported to Florida I guess.

Floridarob , better run for cover or at least change your nick here !

[Suckrates]

1 hour ago, kokopelli3 said:

I didn't read anything about Catholics or Catholic organizations being involved in this matter?

Those are the groups that have been supporting suppression of the arts, books, film and imagery when they are getting onto the school boards, encouraging DeSantis to bring all this ANTI legislation using kids as their mission stmt.     Its a movement.  All they are doing is HARMING kids by depriving them a well rounded education.....   They hide behind the church but are the biggest hypocrites.  They shouldnt BE parents.     And perhaps you are listening to FOX News, which is why you probably havent heard about it.    I suggest switching to a more truthful news station.   

[Riobard]

3 hours ago, kokopelli3 said:

I didn't read anything about Catholics or Catholic organizations being involved in this matter?

They are implicated and tolerance levels within this subgroup seem to be declining as pressure mounts to out attitudes, in contrast to religiously non-affiliated whose open-mindedness is increasing over time, perhaps paradoxically an artefact of the lunacy that many sane folks seek affiliative distance from. The biggest divide is the latter group and White Christian evangelicals. No need to split hairs along denominational lines while this ominous movement gathers momentum. 

[kokopelli3]

2 hours ago, Suckrates said:

   .......

And perhaps you are listening to FOX News, which is why you probably havent heard about it.    I suggest switching to a more truthful news station.   

I do not watch Fox News or there ilk, so please, no more assumptions.  

[Mavica]

I read the OP's comments, then searched for other news reports about the incident ... and I sense the OP here and resulting discussion is more than less an exaggeration or incomplete reporting on what happened.  There's an "other side" of the story not appearing in this discussion:  that the Principal who was terminated or resigned in lieu of termination chose not to follow school policies in a number of areas for some time.  Additionally, it's being reported that the school didn't ban viewing of the statue, but required advance notice to parents of students in certain grades that it would be shown ... a policy that was adhered to the prior year.  The President of the Board of the school is a former director of the Florida Democratic Party, and many would describe him as progressive in his activities.  Nowhere do I see, in the reporting, reference to the Roman Catholic or other Christian faiths.  I don't know that what I read in my own search for information is completely accurate, but it seems to me some of the people posting here should "look" before they "leap."

[Londoner]

Apologies in advance for wandering off-topic but the issue of attitudes to nudity deserves a thread of its own. There are some interesting (and amusing) disparities historically and  culturally. For example, while Athenian youths in the time of Socrates practised and performed athletics and wrestling in the nude-often watched by admiring audiences of men- English guys of the same age at Rugby School three hundred years ago (yes, Tom Brown's  school) were required to undress in barrels to ensure total privacy.

And there's the  shyness of Thai guys undressing in our rooms , often discussed on forums such as this, which  surprises newbies. 

None of this however compares to the deranged attitudes at play in the Michelangelo  incident.

[vinapu]

23 minutes ago, Londoner said:

 while Athenian youths in the time of Socrates practised and performed athletics and wrestling in the nude-often watched by admiring audiences of men

as older then us obviously you remember those days better

[Mavica]

51 minutes ago, Londoner said:

Apologies in advance for wandering off-topic but the issue of attitudes to nudity deserves a thread of its own. There are some interesting (and amusing) disparities historically and  culturally. For example, while Athenian youths in the time of Socrates practised and performed athletics and wrestling in the nude-often watched by admiring audiences of men- English guys of the same age at Rugby School three hundred years ago (yes, Tom Brown's  school) were required to undress in barrels to ensure total privacy.

And there's the  shyness of Thai guys undressing in our rooms , often discussed on forums such as this, which  surprises newbies. 

None of this however compares to the deranged attitudes at play in the Michelangelo  incident.

 

I recall a lengthy conversation I had in the sauna at Club 117 in Rio with an older gentlemen who talked about how 117 and such facilities were a continuation of the Greek custom of lounging and admiring the naked bodies and sex of virile young men ... and partaking of the pleasures of their company.  When I was in elementary and high school in Chicago, boys in PE classes swam naked - swim suits were not permitted.  Also, too, the YMCA forbad men and boys from wearing swim trunks - naked swimming only.

About the "Michelangelo incident":  I've already expressed my thoughts on that.

[PeterRS]

40 minutes ago, Mavica said:

I read the OP's comments, then searched for other news reports about the incident ... and I sense the OP here and resulting discussion is more than less an exaggeration or incomplete reporting on what happened.  There's an "other side" of the story not appearing in this discussion:  that the Principal who was terminated or resigned in lieu of termination chose not to follow school policies in a number of areas for some time. 

You will no doubt have noted that the source I quoted was from the BBC website. Never infalllible, it is in most cases usually pretty accurate. As it stated -

"A principal of a Florida school has been forced to resign after a parent complained that sixth-grade students were exposed to pornography."

And if you check the internet, this is the reason given on most sites. I did indeed look before I took the leap! Further, the "other side of the indcident" that you suggest, is for exactly the same "faults". It remains a ridiculous and pathetic joke. If serious art is to be considered pornography, then much of our history can only be regarded as truly decadent. WHat's next? Block out the tits of women in art because they should not be shown to children? Odd that since most kids spent much of their first year or so sucking from them! 

This from The Insider –

"Bishop told the paper that the school had "several issues" with Carrasquilla in the past, including that she did not notify parents that their children would be shown Michelangelo's famous sculpture.

"Carrasquilla's husband, Victor Carrasquilla, told the paper that his wife is a "strong evangelical Christian" and said the board should not have forced her to resign."

Bishop is the Chair of the School Board and Carrasquilla is the teacher.

https://www.insider.com/florida-principal-forced-resign-parents-simpsons-michelangelo-david-statue-2023-3

The Lord help those teachers if they also start examining the art of the Romans. There they might be exposed (horror of horrors) to dozens of other examples of the male nude - on frescos in Pompeii and dozens of depictions of the God Pan. Better still, a good idea if students and their ridiculous parents are banned from travel to Italy and all art galleries and museums! The purity of their simple minds might thus be preserved. LOL

[PeterRS]

As a bit of fun in what is clearly a serious subject, I visited the Meissen Factory and Museum near Dresden a few years back. In addition to examples of great Meissen porcelain throughout history, on the top floor there is a special gallery for porcelain crafted by young people relatively new to the art. In the centre there is a quite lovely gazebo with 17th century ladies and gentlemen clearly enjoying some form of afternoon refreshment. Take a closer look, though. I'll let the photos do the talking. All the visitors in my group, young and older, found it immensely amusing. Pornographic? Just fun!

 

[KYTOP]

When I was in school in the 60's and 70's we studied Art including the statue David, but he always had a leaf over his privates. I didn't know he had a dick until I became an adult, and then I was disappointed. 😀

[caeron]

 

My reading of the news was that this was an evangelical christian school. Lunacy is practically a requirement.

Fun fact, did you know that Jesus was incarnated as a man to die for our sins, but didn't have a pee-pee, because pee-pees are OF THE DEVIL.

[xpaulo]

This anti-whatever it is seems to be happening in various countries including Canada where I live. But it hasn't taken hold here so far to the extent it has in the United States. I've also just started seeing stories about life expectancy in the U.S. dropping to where it was 20 years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if there's an indirect or direct link. A number of countries saw a slight drop at the height of the pandemic and have recovered from that, but not the U.S.. I looked at life expectancy in the U.S and Canada since the 60s. For decades Canada's was one to two years longer than the States. In 2022 Canada's was almost 6.5 years longer. I think diets and education are roughly even. The U.S. has a far higher average income and spends a lot more on health care. So what explains it? I think northern European countries do well in these rankings because the extremities of incomes are less, the richer people aren't as rich and the poorer people aren't as poor, or at least the gap is mitigated by the transfer of wealth through higher taxation and more government supports... ie income, housing, education, health, etc..

 

[KYTOP]

36 minutes ago, xpaulo said:

This anti-whatever it is seems to be happening in various countries including Canada where I live. But it hasn't taken hold here so far to the extent it has in the United States. I've also just started seeing stories about life expectancy in the U.S. dropping to where it was 20 years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if there's an indirect or direct link. 

 

You will note that this situation was at a Religious school and involved parents complaining. During Covid every child was basically home schooled with internet and Zoom lessons.  An unexpected consequence of this is that many parents finally really learned what their kids were actually being taught and they did not like it. I have 4 grandkids all in school, elementary thru high school. Little Suzie on a Zoom lesson at the kitchen table that a parent, or in many cases a grandparent who is baby sitting, now sat thru or over heard their child's lessons.  They found out their kids can't spell, write a complete sentence much less a paragraph. History and civics were not taught but gender studies were. My grandkids had not heard of the Vietnam War and I asked all 4 of them and they had no clue. The knowledge of math was horrible.

This wakeup call is now fueling this "anti-whatever" in the schools and many demand to know more about what their kids are and not being taught. Many expect the school to seek permission from the parents before teaching certain subjects, like nude Art. They want permission slips on some studies/lessons and for their kids to be taught the basics. Teach them to write, spell, due basic math plus return to history and civics not bias teaching of modern social issues.

The best education in the USA grades 1-12 are done by Religious schools. In my area the Catholic schools are the BEST schools for an actual education. You have atheist, Christians and non affiliated trying to get their kids in expensive catholic schools so they will be educated. The Public schools suck and many parents who once held teachers in high esteem now have no faith in them. So with more parents demanding involvement and change you are getting a huge "Anti" to anything except old fashioned basic subjects. No naked statues or drag shows in elementary schools just teach the kid to read and spell and add is what I am hearing. I heard a neighbor parent the other day say teach my kid to balance a checkbook and forget the social crap.

As for the average life expectancy covid did devastate our senior population wiping out whole wings of nursing homes. But on the other end of the population     fentanyl is wiping out an unbelievable number of younger people from teens into 40 somethings. I have friends in the coroner's office here and daily high single to low double digit deaths are common place. Murders and deaths from MVA's don't even come close. A Paramedic on an ambulance use to have to contact the ER from the Truck to get an OK from a Doctor to give Narcan. Now it is handed out like candy by Fire, police, EMS, hospitals, clinics, health dept and even free from vending machines in order to try to stem the deaths. Down side is people now O'D but have Narcan available to revive them and they now keep doing that in a viscous cycle. Add to that the teenage gun violence and it is easy to see why our life  expectancy is declining.

[Londoner]

It is also true here in the UK that religious schools tend to get better results. However, this is due to  selection processes that ensure that non-denominational schools are left with the less-able and more socially disadvantaged pupils.

[reader]

Don't know how the Florida lady would come down on this phallus display but Thais don't seem to have any problem with it.

PHOTO: Khaosod Online

From The Pattaya News

This particular tree scientifically known as a hairy keruing was swarmed by hundreds of locals in a small town of the Khon Buri district of Nakhon Ratchasima after a merchant in the area claimed that he had won a six-million-baht lottery prize after begging for good luck from this tree.

All types of typical Thai offerings, such as sweet food, red Fanta, flowers, incense, and three-colored fabric, were laid and tied around the trunk of the tree by those hoping to receive good luck and fortune.

[Suckrates]

12 hours ago, Mavica said:

I read the OP's comments, then searched for other news reports about the incident ... and I sense the OP here and resulting discussion is more than less an exaggeration or incomplete reporting on what happened.  There's an "other side" of the story not appearing in this discussion:  that the Principal who was terminated or resigned in lieu of termination chose not to follow school policies in a number of areas for some time.  Additionally, it's being reported that the school didn't ban viewing of the statue, but required advance notice to parents of students in certain grades that it would be shown ... a policy that was adhered to the prior year.  The President of the Board of the school is a former director of the Florida Democratic Party, and many would describe him as progressive in his activities.  Nowhere do I see, in the reporting, reference to the Roman Catholic or other Christian faiths.  I don't know that what I read in my own search for information is completely accurate, but it seems to me some of the people posting here should "look" before they "leap."

If you search hard enough you will always fins some loophole or excuse for spinning a story.   Bottom line, it should have never happened.  We are not speaking of the teacher discussing a xxx dick pic from Only fans.  Its a significant centuries old work of art that all of a sudden has become a problem for people in the MAGA universe.   What the teacher did was cultivate the fine arts curriculum and should not have needed parents approval for something that was NEVER a problem before. 

Its silly, a waste of time/resources, and just another cultural and moral grievance the GOP has latched onto to compensate not having any purposeful legislation to speak about.    

[KYTOP]

Correction from my part. It is not a religious school, it is a Charter School that does not charge tuition. Many charter schools receive state tax funds to operate.

I had seen other media reports that had referred to the school as religious. Also the Statue is and will continue to be part of the art class, just parental notification will take place before the class.

 https://www.cnn.com/style/article/florida-principal-fired-david-statue/index.html

I don't understand were MAGA comes into parents wanting to be involved in their kids education. I live in a Democratic majority liberal city in what is considered by many a Red state with a Democrat Governor. Upset parents here are of all political leanings.

[Marc in Calif]

13 hours ago, KYTOP said:

History and civics were not taught but gender studies were.

The subject "gender studies" is not taught in K-12 schools in the United States. It was developed exclusively at the college level. 

[xpaulo]

19 hours ago, Mavica said:

swim suits were not permitted. 

One part of recreational hockey (ice) culture I heard about recently on a podcast is some men's teams have a shower monitor whose job it is to make sure all of the team members shower together after the game, this would include teams right up to the Oldtimers leagues. Something about bonding and comradery I suppose.