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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad December 30, 2005 AT LENGTH Ashland’s tolerance becoming intolerant By Karen Gans Ashland I identify myself as a liberal-spiritual, but not religious; open to new age ideas, but also respectful of traditions. I moved to Ashland 17 years ago so that I could raise my children in an environment that accepted diversity; but within the past few years, I’ve become horrified by the lack of tolerance in our community. I always appreciate that Ashland honors the range of religious beliefs such as I witnessed at the Interfaith Service on Thanksgiving, and was therefore shocked to hear that the weekend before Christmas, choir students from AHS who sang Christmas carols on the Plaza were hissed and booed when their songs made reference to Christ. My Jewish son and his friend of Arabic origins were very active choir members many years ago and I remember the great pleasure they took in caroling during the holiday season. I wonder whether we Ashlanders, who have a labyrinth as part of our town, would object to the public display of traditions of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, or Islam or are we merely overreacting to our fear of a Christian right? Has Ashland become another pocket of polarized intolerance rather than a community of independent thinkers? I have witnessed two other incidents which make me question Ashland’s much-heralded acceptance of diversity. During the last presidential campaign, my husband and I posted Kucinich, then Kerry and Bush signs on our lawn. My husband replaced his disappearing Bush sign at least four times, while the Kuchinich and Kerry signs remained untouched. A second incident occurred at the Varsity Theater when my husband and I attended the independent file, “Food for the Future.” We are both organic gardeners and concerned about a healthy lifestyle. During the question-and answer-period, my husband expressed appreciation for the film. Trained to examine all sides of an issue, he also raised the question of why the film did not interview those in support of genetic engineering of food. He commented, “I think for some audiences this film would have more credibility if it showed both sides of the issue.” To my shock, the audience hissed and booed him. I am well aware of the larger political environment which cares us into thinking our freedoms are being eroded, but I cannot understand how behaving in an intolerant manner protects these freedoms. I believe we would do better to support open, respectful discussion of differing ideas rather than intimidation and disrespect. It seems ludicrous that we would deny our youth the opportunity to partake in a musical celebration that honors any religion. I can no longer be quiet as I watch this community that I love become more and more closed-minded. I fear that we will become that which we say we despise in the larger political arena. --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.