Let the games begin

Why good taste should outrun controversy and inclusivity in the public arena

Let the games begin!

No, not THOSE games

Not the ones about sport, athletic ability, endurance and celebration of the human body.

That would be stupid, right?

To focus the opening ceremony on health, fitness and physical prowess……or even French heritage.

No, not THOSE games, I mean the old style ones, more in the spirit of bear baiting, cock fighting and that one they did with plebeians and lions.

The ones where two sides are deliberately pitted against each other, wound up and goaded for the amusement of others.

The games in which entertainment consists of delivering disgust, confusion and anger, having two sides tear each other apart. Attack!

Cause we’re still doing that, yeah?

Except these days we call it ‘art’ and ‘inclusion’.

Sounds ‘kinder’, doesn’t it?

Yes, I am talking about the so called ‘Last Supper’ re-enactment by drag queens at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in France.

I mean, after what organisers did to the London one in 2012, we knew it had potential to be disturbing and sinister.

As someone with no religious leaning, I approach these matters from the standpoint that “I’m offended” is a weak retort.

A non argument.

“And…..so what?”

I want to say, whenever anyone tries to use that as ‘reason’ someone shouldn’t do something. For me, freedom extends to both religion and challenging it. Nothing should ever be too precious (or sacred) to escape the right to be critiqued or even made fun of a little.

But was a large public event supposedly for everyone, the right place to do it?

If this was done as a means of  ‘reflection’, as the organisers claim, why was Christianity chosen as the subject to parody? Who made this choice? Who thought this a good idea and why?

Once we start censoring what can be made light of, we lay ground for supporting laws around blasphemy. It’s a dangerous road.

But everything has a time and a place, doesn’t it?

You’re not watching ‘Life of Brian’ round the telly here with a few like minded mates. This was a grand international ceremony and as such, surely the idea is to appeal to all faiths.

Is it not obvious that including such a scene would upset a huge segment of society?

If we’re asking why the ‘Last Supper’ made an appearance, the next obvious question is surely ‘why drag queens’?

I mean nothing says ‘Last Supper’ like a drag queen, does it?

Hm….

Ah……Inclusivity again!

THAT old chestnut!

If that truly is the reason - to include - why didn’t we get one or two of them sat at the table? Why a whole table full?

Because if it’s representation we’re after, to have an entire table full of queens wouldn’t accurately reflect our society would it? It would misrepresent.

And that’s just it, isn’t it?

We can’t just have a load of people on the same stage representing different elements of the community sat together engaging with each other.  Showcasing cohesion, getting along.

No, that’s far too passé.

Instead, we have to have the ‘this’ community, the ‘that’ community.

Is no-one seeing that by segregating groups and spotlighting their differences, we reinforce alienation not unity?

When does art imitating life become art promoting a certain kind of life?

Why would this happen?

Community - real community and inclusivity - is about mixing together, NOT further reinforcing division, adding to tension.

So, if inclusivity was your aim, Olympic Games you failed.

Inclusivity isn’t a buzz word. It’s a way of life. It’s not about ‘groups’ but people - families and neighbours.

It’s about finding similarities, highlighting what we have in common with each other.

Real art opens conversation, not attack.

Genuine efforts at inclusion seek to upset no-one.

Authentic intention encourages bridge building, not burning.

Celebration is beautiful.

Denigration - be it of a religion or women, has no place in an Olympic ceremony.

France, I’ll give it you, you picked up the baton of creepy where the UK’s 2012 one left off.

If there’s a gold medal for being dark, insensitive and inappropriate, France, hands down, you take it.

But always remember.

Love wins

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