Faculty Union Responds to SCF Art Exhibit Actions

For Immediate Release

Contact: Matt Thomas, UFF-SCF Chapter President, UnitedSCF@gmail.com

SCF Faculty Union Executive Committee Statement on College Actions Regarding

“Embracing Our Differences” Campus Exhibit

The Executive Committee of the United Faculty of Florida-State College of Florida (UFF-SCF) chapter is concerned by the actions of the SCF administration that resulted in the cancellation of the scheduled “Embracing Our Differences” art exhibit on its campus.

The students of SCF and the SCF Collegiate School have lost a valuable opportunity to view this acclaimed international exhibit on their own campus and grow from the discussion it would have engendered. Residents of Manatee County have lost the chance to view the art closer to home.

The SCF administration requested the removal of three works due to the appearance of the words “diversity,” “inclusion,” “justice,” and “equality.” A College spokesperson said that the works “may have been found offensive and not embraced.” The rejected art is viewable on the EOD website: “Body & Voice” “Good Trouble” “Being Different Gives the World Color.” Embracing Our Differences (EOD) refused to censor their exhibit, and as a result, SCF will no longer be a venue.

As educators, we aim to expose students to a world of ideas and for students to develop critical thinking skills and their own opinions. SCF leadership is instead sending students a message that their exposure to perspectives should be controlled. Additionally, the UFF-SCF Executive Committee is troubled that the word “justice” in art should be cause for administrative alarm. We also note that one targeted piece does not include any of the words SCF attempted to censor but rather refers to women’s voices being heard.

SCF further explained their action by saying, "We also took into consideration the values of the college, the recent vandalism of EOD's display and current threats of violence on school campuses," a statement we think warrants further examination.

“The values of the College:” SCF has four Institutional Values, including “Inclusivity.” Attempted censorship of the exhibit is in direct opposition to a fundamental pillar of the College.

“The recent vandalism of EOD’s display:” The piece that was vandalized in the Bayfront Park exhibit was not one rejected for exhibit by SCF.

“Current threats of violence on school campuses:” SCF is no more or less at risk than other colleges. Artistic expression and viewpoints should not be banned just in case.

The artist of “Good Trouble,” an SCF graduate, said, “SCF is a diverse school, and it’s damaging to censor such a powerful exhibit intended to bring people together. It’s not the message SCF should be sending such a diverse student body.” We agree with our alumnus.