The only thing offensive about the student's work is how the school and school district reacted.
If this hypersexualized? No. Not at all. Is society so hypersexualized that an image of a female student's bare back, in a piece of art directly addressing what you, the school administrators have now confirmed. A female body is not for the service of men. You've confirmed exactly what this student's artwork was addressing.
Stop it. Enough.
J
Joey Picciotto
10 years ago
I was careful to read the article thoroughly before choosing a side, but it seems quite clear that this project not only fulfilled the assignment, but also highlighted an incredibly important social issue that is disregarded far too often.
P
Patrice Miller
10 years ago
Censoring art is censoring democracy. Let the students speak.
R
Robin Locke Monda
10 years ago
I think this piece is intelligent, educational and provocative: all the components you want in a work of art created by young people. Why deny them space to show it? If they are denied space show this piece, I think they should contact the Unitarian Church of Staten Island and see if they can show the piece in their library.
L
Leighann Scara- Class of 2005
10 years ago
Scholars Academy Class of 2005
I know many rape victims. My own body has been sexually objectified countless times whether I've been completely covered up, or not. By taking this project down, you're proving that the female body can ONLY be seen as a sexual object. This should be used as an educational tool to change that mind set. More education and less shame about all of our bodies is a necessity to end the tiptoeing we as a society do around this topic.
R
Robin Locke Monda
10 years ago
I see nothing wrong with this work of art. In fact, I find everything right about it. Wagner High School should support this kind of intelligent, relevant and educational artwork. Let it be shown! If they won't show it, I think Snug Harbor or the Unitarian Church of S I should display it.
W
William Kaufer
10 years ago
I totally agree with the cause because schools are wayyyy too focused on teaching academics instead of teaching life lessons and are too scared to talk about the sexualization of the female body which makes people think it's okay to be held captive by society's rules.
R
Randy Topper
10 years ago
I urge the leadership at Susan Wagner High School to do the right thing and support an open and honest dialogue about consent. These images are not obscene because they lack clothing. The obscenity is that someone would attempt to force themselves on someone else without consent.
A
Alla Deli
10 years ago
Featured
Silencing this voice silences the necessary conversation surrounding rape culture, thereby perpetuating a sexist and patriarchal structure. I am disgusted that Wagner is playing a suppressive, rather than an empowering role, in relation to this discourse.
R
Robert Crisalli
10 years ago
There's no comparison between art and rape, and the school is upset about art.
P
Phoebe Blue
10 years ago
Its 2016 in New York City. Why are we teaching our youth that their bodies are perverse and rape is taboo to speak out about!?
M
Melissa West
10 years ago
As a woman, artist and lifelong Staten Islander, I am appalled that Wagner High School would teach its students that (a) free speech is determined by those in positions of power and (b) art should be removed regardless of whether it prompts important conversations that are often left out of school curriculum.... I support the message, the art, and the students who had the courage to make this powerful representation of young women speaking out against the patriarchy.
J
Julienne Verdi
10 years ago
As an alum, I am so disappointed in the administration's decision to censor this important art project. Rape, consent, intimate partner violence and bodily autonomy are topics every high school student needs to be exposed to. More must be done to give our students the tools necessary to live healthy and safe lives. To the students leading this fight, don't relent! You are doing such courageous, important work!
A
Annie Hausmann
10 years ago
Why in the world would anyone find this "inappropriate" it's mind boggling. I would be super proud of my daughter for having such an extraordinary insight in high school, hell, college even. Well done!
A
Angela Pernice
10 years ago
It's a beautiful piece of work, with a strong message...
S
Susan Jones
10 years ago
There is nothing offensive about this at all. It does not affect religious views, that's crazy! It should definitely be allowed, awareness that the DOE should be proud to display!!!
A
Andrew Elhamalawy
10 years ago
LIVE YA LIFE YOU BETTTTTA
D
Dayana Gordillo
10 years ago
Excellent work!!
A
Avery Sorensen
10 years ago
#spreadfeminism
K
Karen Tennenbaum
10 years ago
Featured
This photo emphasizes societies hyper sexualization of the female body. The fact that it was taken down re-emphasizes the hyper sexualization of the female body. Why is a female back sexual but not a males? These girls are making a valid and excellent point.
The only thing offensive about the student's work is how the school and school district reacted. If this hypersexualized? No. Not at all. Is society so hypersexualized that an image of a female student's bare back, in a piece of art directly addressing what you, the school administrators have now confirmed. A female body is not for the service of men. You've confirmed exactly what this student's artwork was addressing. Stop it. Enough.
I was careful to read the article thoroughly before choosing a side, but it seems quite clear that this project not only fulfilled the assignment, but also highlighted an incredibly important social issue that is disregarded far too often.
Censoring art is censoring democracy. Let the students speak.
I think this piece is intelligent, educational and provocative: all the components you want in a work of art created by young people. Why deny them space to show it? If they are denied space show this piece, I think they should contact the Unitarian Church of Staten Island and see if they can show the piece in their library.
Scholars Academy Class of 2005 I know many rape victims. My own body has been sexually objectified countless times whether I've been completely covered up, or not. By taking this project down, you're proving that the female body can ONLY be seen as a sexual object. This should be used as an educational tool to change that mind set. More education and less shame about all of our bodies is a necessity to end the tiptoeing we as a society do around this topic.
I see nothing wrong with this work of art. In fact, I find everything right about it. Wagner High School should support this kind of intelligent, relevant and educational artwork. Let it be shown! If they won't show it, I think Snug Harbor or the Unitarian Church of S I should display it.
I totally agree with the cause because schools are wayyyy too focused on teaching academics instead of teaching life lessons and are too scared to talk about the sexualization of the female body which makes people think it's okay to be held captive by society's rules.
I urge the leadership at Susan Wagner High School to do the right thing and support an open and honest dialogue about consent. These images are not obscene because they lack clothing. The obscenity is that someone would attempt to force themselves on someone else without consent.
Silencing this voice silences the necessary conversation surrounding rape culture, thereby perpetuating a sexist and patriarchal structure. I am disgusted that Wagner is playing a suppressive, rather than an empowering role, in relation to this discourse.
There's no comparison between art and rape, and the school is upset about art.
Its 2016 in New York City. Why are we teaching our youth that their bodies are perverse and rape is taboo to speak out about!?
As a woman, artist and lifelong Staten Islander, I am appalled that Wagner High School would teach its students that (a) free speech is determined by those in positions of power and (b) art should be removed regardless of whether it prompts important conversations that are often left out of school curriculum.... I support the message, the art, and the students who had the courage to make this powerful representation of young women speaking out against the patriarchy.
As an alum, I am so disappointed in the administration's decision to censor this important art project. Rape, consent, intimate partner violence and bodily autonomy are topics every high school student needs to be exposed to. More must be done to give our students the tools necessary to live healthy and safe lives. To the students leading this fight, don't relent! You are doing such courageous, important work!
Why in the world would anyone find this "inappropriate" it's mind boggling. I would be super proud of my daughter for having such an extraordinary insight in high school, hell, college even. Well done!
It's a beautiful piece of work, with a strong message...
There is nothing offensive about this at all. It does not affect religious views, that's crazy! It should definitely be allowed, awareness that the DOE should be proud to display!!!
LIVE YA LIFE YOU BETTTTTA
Excellent work!!
#spreadfeminism
This photo emphasizes societies hyper sexualization of the female body. The fact that it was taken down re-emphasizes the hyper sexualization of the female body. Why is a female back sexual but not a males? These girls are making a valid and excellent point.