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GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Confused by festival's objections Comment By Risa Buck DailyTidings.com By Risa Buck Posted Aug. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Risa Buck Posted Aug. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News I feel confused by the objections and actions taken by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to boycott the downtown Ashland Shakespeare bookstore because of its provocative window display of some banned books. The undisputed "offensive" content of these books is a painful and despicable reminder from our (collective) past and sadly, aligns too closely to incidents that are currently front and center in our country. Had the bookstore hosted a party celebrating the racism in "Little Black Sambo" for example, I would not feel so confused. From my perspective, OSF and the bookstore actually have more in common than not. Each in their own way are calling out injustice. It seems that OSF does not "approve" of the bookstore's approach. OSF performances are a form of storytelling whose medium is the stage rather than the page. A play often begins on the page, which the playwright crafts into a stage production. The OSF 2016 offerings contain some controversial, powerful and critical subjects whose stories must continue to be told even though there are some uncomfortable and disturbing parts. These banned books are also part of our history and of the same coin. Both mediums have a powerful role in our democratic society to assist us in understanding and connecting to the political and social pasts and current realities in America. We in America and around the world need to hear about them, we are agonizing to hear about them and for some of us it includes first-hand experiences. Banning or burning books builds walls that separate us further from each other. It puts the past and our history back in the closet, which doesn’t help us examine what is inside the violence, despair, fear and hate. These important issues are larger than Ashland, Oregon and our opportunity to acknowledge this "stage" of engagement is right here before us. I want to live in a town and in a country that does not silence or erase the "ugliness" of our shared past. This is a challenging and very delicate dance. It feels too dangerous to push stories like "Roe" or "Vietgone" or "Little Black Sambo" out of public view because they stir up palpable pain and truths. But we learn best through stories. I appreciate the stories OSF tells and am grateful that they will continue. Institutionalized racism, sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, homelessness, fear of the mentally ill and other forms of intolerance demand our attention. My understanding of the often agonizing process of democracy is the importance to maintain a practice of tolerance toward others at a minimum. It does not require liking or agreeing with all views, but banishing or silencing the "other" pushes us into dangerous waters that keep us apart. We need to be willing to begin and/or continue our conversations with one another. We need to be able to disagree and stretch enough to listen and hear what our neighbor is sharing. Our strengths and potential lie with our community, together. We are the rogue nation with and without God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Whoever told you that democracy was a pretty process, well, they were pulling your leg. Risa Buck lives in Ashland. By Risa Buck DailyTidings.com By Risa Buck Posted Aug. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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