Summary

The article discusses the controversy surrounding the viewing of Michelangelo's statue of David in a Tallahassee school, leading to the principal's resignation and reflecting broader cultural tensions in the US.

Abstract

The display of Michelangelo's David in a Tallahassee school has sparked outrage among some parents who consider the artwork's nudity pornographic, leading to the resignation of the school's principal. The incident has highlighted a cultural divide, with the author expressing a Finnish perspective that views the American response as hypocritical and reminiscent of medieval censorship. The author suggests that the easily offended should perhaps symbolically wear fig leaves over their eyes, and argues for the importance of art and beauty over prudishness. The article also notes the irony of the geographic resemblance between the statue's anatomy and the state of Florida, and calls for a more open and educated approach to nudity and art, similar to European attitudes. The author proposes that exposing Americans to more art and cultural experiences could lead to greater acceptance and less bigotry.

Opinions

The author views the controversy as an "egregious mistake," indicative of a regressive attitude towards art and nudity.
The author believes that those who are easily offended by art should perhaps be required to wear fig leaves on their eyes, symbolizing their willful blindness to art and beauty.
The article suggests that the US, particularly Florida, is lagging behind in cultural enlightenment, akin to the Renaissance period that celebrated the human form in art.
The author equates the actions of those offended by the statue to the historical practices of the Inquisition, implying a form of modern-day censorship and witch-hunting.
There is a call to action for the rest of the world to educate some Americans, bringing them "back to the future" and to their senses regarding art and sexuality.
The author appreciates the quick response of Italians in inviting the offended parties to view the David statue in Florence, suggesting it as a step towards cultural education.
The article advocates for a more relaxed and open-minded approach to nudity, suggesting that such an attitude could lead to less judgment and violence, and more happiness and acceptance in American society.

AMERICAN HYPOCRISY | CULTURE | RENAISSANCE

David’s Cute Penis Stirs The Hypocrites While Others See Only Art And Beauty.

Maybe the US should, by law, require easily offended by art to wear fig leaves on their eyes.

Michael Angelo’s David in his full glory. Photo by Alex Ghizila on Unsplash

I spilt my morning tea yesterday on my iPad when I saw the BBC news from the US. The picture of the naked David’s statue has caused a significant upheaval resulting in principal Hope Carrasquilla’s resignation.

So, no hope in Tallahassee anymore. Hope has left the school hall.

In this article, I write my direct and very Finnish views (read: opinions, and if you are easily offended by nudity and foul language, read something else) about the matter.

Background

The Renaissance is still hundreds of years away from a small Tallahassee, Florida. Medieval practices prevail, and it seems that soon they will torch piles of art books merrily and, in the light of the burning art, close their eyes from seeing the beauty in art dwelling in the darkness of their souls in the heat of hate, fear and bigotry.

Below is the screenshot from Apple Maps about the school’s location to give you a geographic orientation. As you can see, the part of the US resembles David’s infamous winkle, which might explain why the Renaissance has not yet been reached in that part of the world.

Screenshot by the author. See the apparent resemblance between dicks in Florida and that of David.

And the Tallahassee children sing when they look up at David’s statue:

Winkle, winkle, little star

how I wonder what you are.

OK. The willy-nilly visuals carried me away, but let’s return to the past.

Hypocrites are the descendants of the Inquisition

According to BBC, the chair of the school’s board, Barney Bishop III (nomen est omen), called the art lesson an “egregious mistake”. It happened after some parents complained, referring to Michaelangelo’s statue of David as pornographic.

And can you believe, right after that, Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis (nomen est omen again — his holiness in action), moved to expand a law banning public schools from teaching sexual education and gender identity.

Have all those witch hunters of the Inquisition born again in Florida seeking revenge, making progress impossible?

What does this all mean?

It is a massive opportunity for the rest of the world to educate some Americans. We need to get them back to the future — and to their senses.

Italians have already started. They are so quick, molto allegro.

On Sunday, the 26th of March, 2023, the head of Florence’s Galleria del’Accademia invited the parents and students of that school to visit and see Michelangelo’s David. Let’s get money pouring into those families and get them to Florence.

After that, in the name of the European Union and civilisation, we should fly them to Finland and get them into the Finnish saunas, where the locals could teach them how to be OK with their naked bodies.

When I was a small boy, the teacher took us now and then to the lovely indoor pool in the nearby big smoke. Nothing was funnier than bouncing around naked with other boys in that giant sauna and shower room, putting swimsuits on and then jumping to the pool to play with girls.

And I remember seeing the picture of David when I was about seven, and at school, the teacher told us about the Renaissance and brilliant artists like Michaelangelo and DaVinci. It didn’t harm me, but it made me curious about art because I already knew what a penis was, and it wasn’t such a big deal for a boy of saunas.

Next steps to make America naked again

Let’s give Americans back their balls and tits and the rest of it. It must be hard to live like them: refusing to see or know anything about the lower parts of their bodies or the hidden corners of their minds and hearts where the love, lust and longing live. It must be hard always to be offended when life and art are visible and fun. It must be hard to ignore your basic human curiosity and needs. It must be hard to be American in a world that moves on and leaves them behind.

Maybe they would be less willing to judge others and enjoy more of the beauty of nature, art and the diversity that comes with it if they could just relax a bit and drop their pants and defences. Maybe they would also be less inclined to shoot everything that moves if they had less to hide and more to embrace without fear and shame. Maybe they would be happier if they could enjoy the whole David and not focus only on his dick.

The more you try to hide and reject something, the bigger it grows inside you and takes over. The fear of the unknown and different turns into hate, and the American dream becomes a nightmare in that darkness.

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