To call Fulton, Missouri regressive might be the understatement of the century. Or more correctly, it might be the understatement of several centuries. Even the radical mores of the 16th century are too much.

Fulton High School drama teacher Wendy DeVore has decided to resign her position rather than be fired for doing her job, saying "It became too much to not be able to speak my mind or defend my students without fear or retribution." DeVore's mistake was in attempting to put on classic plays at the school.

In the fall, she produced Grease, a 1972 Broadway music that was nominated for 7 Tony awards. But a handful of members of the Callaway Christian Church complained about the progressive attitudes of 1972 reflected in the play and its risque portrayel of teenagers smoking, drinking and even (gasp) kissing! Because none of these things happen in real life, and even if they did, if you ignore them, they'll go away for sure.

So for the Spring, DeVore selected another classic, The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller in 1952 set during the Salem witch trials and an allegory for 1950's McCarthyism. This play was deemed family-unfriendly by the Fulton Unamerican Activities Committee, and DeVore was instructed to find another play.

So DeVore went much further back, back, back in time and selected a play from an era that could surely offend noone: the 1500's. She picked a classic Shakespeare production, A Midsummer Night's Dream. But no, that which was presented to families in the sixteenth century is far, far too progressive for the sensitive and delicate morality of Fulton. Administrators told DeVore that her contract might not be renewed.

Another teacher, Paula Fessler, remarked on the bad publicity the incidents had on the town saying, "We have become a laughingstock."

And rightly so.

---Nick

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