Paul Kellner and Maureen Ritchey, authors of the letter, "Revue hits all the wrong buttons," had to be joking. But, even so, I know that people who honestly believe what they wrote do exist, which is the only reason I write this letter. Blinded by the supposed goodness of their moral path in comparison to those who laugh/enjoy life, they describe the Revue as "a theatrical monstrosity," "quite offensive" and "unequivocally demeaning to men."
They openly admit that "neither of us actually attended the Revue this year," freely conceding that their entire argument is built on hearsay and assumptions. It does not matter if they are partially right and the Revue really is (gasp) "quite offensive." They are still entirely in the wrong in their assertion that Notre Dame, as a private university, should not condone such productions so as to protect the "consenting adults" who see it.
The authors, who base much of their argument on the sanctity of humanity, still see our "unity of [the] mind, body and transcendental spirit" as fragile enough to be instantly corrupted by exposure to a show that everyone knows is a comedy in the first place, contending that they "cannot stand idly by while this piece of performance art is being displayed to all of our friends who consented to view it and may even agree with the Revue's underlying ideology."
If they already agree with the "underlying ideology," then opting not to attend the production will not change what Keller and Ritchey perceive to be the problem in the first place. The only part of this episode that is truly demeaning to men is Keller and Ritchey's lack of faith in mankind's ability to make conscious decisions; if it really was a hoax (I cannot rule it out, since the article was well-written despite its content flaws), well done.
Joseph King
freshman
Siegfried Hall
Feb. 8
