Miami-Dade schools: Sexual content sank Cruz play ‘Anna’ | Opinion

Re Fabiola Santiago’s Sept. 13 column, “Miami-Dade schools censor Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, won’t let students see his play:” Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Cultural Passport Program was launched in 2009 and provides students in kindergarten through grade 12 with free cultural experiences. We partner with South Florida’s finest cultural organizations and venues to ensure students have equal access to arts and culture.

On Aug. 18, staff in the Division of Academics, Department of Visual and Performing Arts, received the script for Nilo Cruz’s “Anna in the Tropics.” This was the first time that a Cruz work had been submitted by a partner organization. Multiple levels of review then took place, as they do for all scripts submitted for participation, to ensure alignment to standards, age/developmental appropriateness, state statutes and school board policy.

After reviewing the content of this script, district curriculum support specialists, the administrative director and assistant superintendent over our department and I together concluded that, while “Anna in the Tropics” is a beautifully written play with much acclaim, it contains suggestive and sexual content not appropriate for minors. The decision had nothing to do with the playwright’s sexual orientation.

We have more than 70 partners who provide visual and performing arts experiences for our students. Of these, 14 are focused solely on theater performances. As a performing artist myself and a Cuban American, I am extremely proud of Cruz and his many accomplishments. He has incredible talent, and we would love to work directly with him on future student projects.

Patricio Suarez,

supervisor,

Department of Visual and Performing Arts,

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Dangerous tilt

I was horrified by Herald reporter Ana Ceballos’ well-written Sept. 13 article, “What message does DeSantis send with religious rhetoric?”

The rise and widespread appeal of Christian nationalism is frightening, depressing, and dangerous. Its ideology is a threat to democracy. What never seems to be mentioned is that it also is a threat to American Christianity.

Christian nationalism is nothing short of national apostasy: Loyalty to God must transcend nation and culture — always. Furthermore, it is not only people on the right who think of our political divide in terms of morality.

The Christian mainstream and Christian left (yes, we do exist) also see a stark contrast between right and wrong, good and evil. We oppose the sins of white supremacy, racism in all its forms, misogyny, anti-Semitism, homophobia, Islamophobia, trashing the creation, and greed.

For the sake of the nation, for the sake of democracy, and for the sake of Christianity, Christian leaders must be vocal and persistent in condemning the blasphemy that is Christian nationalism. To remain silent is to be complicit.

Rev. Frank J. Corbishley,

Coral Gables

Closed, for now

Against the truly consequential issues facing Miami, our family took note of the energetic “leadership” of city commissioners at this week’s Virginia Key hearing. They surfaced at least two significant discoveries with allegations against the woman-owned Virginia Key Outdoor Center, which is dedicated to providing outdoor recreation.

Should we logically assume the city may have rampant compliance gaps in permitting, regulatory adherence and payments? Does this mean we must now launch a comprehensive audit of all small businesses? Are we now duty-bound to investigate and hold accountable city staffers who allowed this?

Is this really a major issue worthy of top city leadership in formal hearings? Or is it just an imperfect community that should be encouraged to respectfully work things out?

Valeriya Ritter, Miami

Ambulance chaser

When I read the Sept. 14 op-ed by attorney Matthew Whitaker, “FBI, Justice Department overreach in their pursuit of Trump-pardoned Florida businessman,” I was flabbergasted and thought it had been written by Rudy Giuliani, Sydney Powell, John Eastman or Jeffrey Clark — all of whom are under criminal investigation. Whitaker also defended former President Trump in claiming that the search at Mar-a-Lago for stolen documents was government abuse.

Not mentioned was the abuse by the Department of Justice under former Attorney General William Barr in weaponizing the department against Trump’s critics and his criminal behavior, as revealed by former U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman in his book, “Holding the Line.”

Whitaker’s attack on the government was colored by his blatant political bias. Maybe he should provide Trump with his legal services, as the former president is always looking for help.

Edward Blanco, Cutler Bay

On the fringe

Re the Sept. 11 editorial, “Is a fetus a ‘person’? A fringe idea could be the next post-Roe v. Wade chapter:” Psychologically, in no sense is a fetus a person. Biologically, a fetus has person potential. Legally, it is not surprising that the personhood of fetuses is being proposed.

I do not understand it, perhaps because I do not believe in the existence of souls. However, I have an inkling that racism is involved, too: We need more white babies because the country’s demographics are changing.

Perhaps the question is population control: How many people are optimal for a nation’s ultimate success?

China has too many. Or, its type of government is morally inferior, like Cuba’s.

We all agree that women are people, yet men rule the world. Consider that we were all fetuses initially. My personhood, however, is still developing at age 34.

Eric Durrenberger,

Miami

Freedom fighter?

Gov. DeSantis runs ads trumpeting his commitment to freedom. He then goes to a Michigan college and literally demonizes his political opponents in a speech worthy of any tyrant.

The hypocrisy is stunning.

Russell Karr,

Miami

Better times

I thank Miami Herald columnist Fabiola Santiago for her reporting on why the Miami-Dade County school district won’t allow students to see the play “Anna in the Tropics.”

Watching the district bow down to the governor’s plan of returning us to the 1940s in our thinking has been breathtaking.

I recall accompanying my child’s fifth-grade class to a performance of “Les Miserables.” While not exactly age appropriate, it did wonders in exposing students to an award-winning musical.

I thank the school district of 25 years ago, which exposed my children to diverse cultures and thinking. They are now contributing adults.

Irene Pilinger,

North Miami Beach