31 year old AKA Statue deemed "inappropriate"

[Senusret I]

"I had questions about the appropriateness of a Greek goddess on a campus with a Christian heritage," [President] Reed said. "It is inconsistent with the mission and heritage of the college."

http://www.news-journalonline.com/Ne...ST03010605.htm

[sugar and spice]

Wow.

I just don't understand things like this at all. What's next, removing all the artwork that has a non-Christian theme from the buildings on campus? Removing all the books with non-Christian themes from the library?

As one of the people quoted in the article said -- they're not getting down on their knees and worshipping it. I fail to see what's inappropriate about it.

But I guess as long as the sorority is okay with its removal, that's the important part.

[FSUZeta]

i guess the new bethune-cookman president would have "david" removed too? aka's everywhere can be proud of their sorors who acted with the grace , beauty and dignity typified by their organization.

and honestly, the first thing that popped into my mind before i read the whole article was,"i wonder if the president is a member of a different sorority." and then low and behold, it is confirmed in the article.

[RUgreek]

Visiting Europe and some universities there, the one thing I enjoyed seeing were the hundreds of statues and artwork all over the campuses. It's a real shame they got to find a back-ass meaning that this partially nude statue is degrading women and should be taken down. I think they should of just added a male statue by her side to make it feel equal and not alone...

RUgreek

[Sistermadly]

People like this give Christians a bad name.

[greeklawgirl]

This is absolutely silly. Just when you think you've heard everything...

[HPU PIKE]

it's interesting that a statue that is more-often-than-not interpreted as depicting a strong, beautiful, and graceful "Goddess" might hinder the "mission of mentoring young WOMEN to respect their bodies." Seems like a bit of a contradiction to me?

i guess the new bethune-cookman president would have "david" removed too?

What's next, removing all the artwork that has a non-Christian theme from the buildings on campus? Removing all the books with non-Christian themes from the library?

co-sign

[LightBulb]

Originally posted by FSUZeta
i guess the new bethune-cookman president would have "david" removed too?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the statue David depict the Biblical David (as in King David... killed Goliath...)? If so, then the statue would be a Christian symbol.

However, I think this whole situation is ridiculous! I'm sure the statue was beautiful. There is no reason to believe that it would be crude just because of partial nudity.

By the way, I attend a Christian (Catholic) university, and we do not discriminate based on religion. I doubt they do either (and if they don't, the statue never should have been an issue), although I could not find a non-discrimination policy for religion on their website.

But I did find something funny:

"As the president of Bethune-Cookman College, I enjoy spending time with students who engage in reflective thinking. An inquiry into new meaning is at the heart of the educational process."
- Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed, President

http://www.cookman.edu/president/Default.html

I'll bet you do.

[CaliPhiSig03]

Reed, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Taylor-Green both dismissed speculation by students, faculty and alumni the statue's removal had anything to do with a rivalry between the two sororities.

LOL did anyone else find this amusing?

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Originally posted by LightBulb
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the statue David depict the Biblical David (as in King David... killed Goliath...)? If so, then the statue would be a Christian symbol.

It is of the Biblical David, but I always assumed the model for David was Michelangelo's lover. That or a male prostitute.

[FSUZeta]

but he is ""NAKED""!!!and if you look upon it, you will be blinded!

[AKA_Monet]

Given that my family's history is ingrained at this college, I believe the statue was there for a specific membership intake ceremony that is no longer performed by candidates and is now considered hazing.

Therefore, the statue may be removed, however, something will replace it immediately. And that, I can probably guarentee.

As far as my familial history: My grandfather was the president of Bethune Cookman College from 1948-1975...

[tunatartare]

Am I the only one who finds that 31 years ago a statue of a woman showing her breast in a Christian college should have been a bigger deal than it would be now? Seeing as the statue was on campus for so long, I think there should have been some kind of compromise: like for instance have it moved to a different corner of the campus so it's not the first thing that people see when they enter campus. I applaud the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha for being so classy about this. I don't know if I'd have been that quiet under those same circumstances.

[LightBulb]

Originally posted by AKA_Monet
Therefore, the statue may be removed, however, something will replace it immediately. And that, I can probably guarentee.

They replaced it with a birdbath! *scrunches up nose*

PS - FSUZeta you're funny!

[MysticCat]

Originally posted by AKA_Monet
Given that my family's history is ingrained at this college, I believe the statue was there for a specific membership intake ceremony that is no longer performed by candidates and is now considered hazing.

Thanks for the inside info, AKA_Monet. I wondered what Taylor-Green meant by "At one time, it was a symbol, but it is no longer, and has not been for several years."