From: corwin+@CMU.EDU (Scott Safier)
Subject: Re: discrimination at CMU
Originator: scotts@MORPHEUS.CIMDS.RI.CMU.EDU
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University
	<CORWIN+.92Nov10115450@MORPHEUS.CIMDS.RI.CMU.EDU>
	<1992Nov11.022035.7781@spdcc.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 17:37:35 GMT

In article <1992Nov11.022035.7781@spdcc.com> dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer) writes:

   In article <CORWIN+.92Nov10115450@MORPHEUS.CIMDS.RI.CMU.EDU> corwin+@CMU.EDU (Scott Safier) writes:

   >for what Anthony McKay (prof at
   >CMU) and Mel Shapiro (past chair of Drama, now at UCLA) don't
   >understand it's not like a New York accent: those "mannerisms" and
   >"affectations" are connected to the very essence of who someone is.
   >The business will do what it will do with these young men, as it does
   >to all of us, but for the school to say, "Don't bring those colors
   >into your work" is asking these young actors to work without their souls." 

   They're being asked to put them aside while they're in front of
   an audience.  Isn't that what actors get paid to do?  If someone
   has a speech impediment, is it "discrimination" not to hire her
   for a major speaking role?

Ever hear of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title 9 (I think that is
the one, equal access in Education), and the American's with
Disabilities Act?  Yes, it is discrimination for a University to
refuse to teach someone acting because of a physical impairment.   And
since CMU has sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination policy, it
is a violation of their contract with the students to refuse to teach,
or treat in any disparate manner, any student because of their sexual
orientation.

   I think there's a fine line to be drawn here, and I'm not saying that
   what you're describing is or isn't "homophobia"; I'm merely saying that
   in general if someone can't act, they might not be qualified for some
   drama schools (by their own criteria.)

And they would never make it through CMU's Drama auditions.  CMU Drama
does not admit students based upon SAT scores or grades, but upon an
audition and talent.

   You'd think that there would be
   room enough for everyone.  The question is whether this guy's actions
   reflect a systematic bias against gay people versus um, people of
   flamboyance, or for that matter, whether other criteria or "affectations"
   relevant to being able to act successfully have been overlooked.

The guy Eric is a case study from Scanlan's article.  As I have said
in other recent posts, there were 16 kicked out in that class, and it
is an ongoing problem and has been a problem for a long time.

It is CMU's job to develop someone's talent, not to decide whether or
not someone else will hire them.  Not all actors are superstars, and
CMU is not Ed McMahon's Star Search.  Many actors make a passible
living, and many become teachers, agents, or any of a number of other
professions.  And it is homophobia for the Drama Department to be
sending the message to its students that their sexual orientation is
something to be hidden.

Scott Safier                                   corwin+@cmu.edu
Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University
        
member, T.S.A.K.C.  B0/1 f+ w- g k+ s- m(+) e++

"We don't necessarily discriminate.  We simply exclude certain types of
people."
   Lt. Col. Gerald Wellman, an ROTC instructor at the MIT,
   on the military's ban on gays
   Newsweek, May 25
Newsgroups: soc.motss,alt.politics.homosexuality,co.politics