Read other letters about this article

• Friday, February 16, 2007 09:19 PM

  Help Me

  I know I'm probably missing something obvious. Tell me.

  Hypothetical: John Edwards needs publicity photos. He hires an unknown photographer named Robert Mapplethorpe, who he's heard is young and edgy and in tune with new technology. Mapplethorpe takes some great photos of Edwards.

  Meantime, Mapplethorpe privately releases a book of his stock-in-trade, including a commentary on gays and the church entitled "Black Men F***ing While Christ Looks On Unmortified, Also F***ing a Black Man."

  Mapplethorpe and Edwards both receive hate mail. Edwards says he's shocked, shocked! to see the hate mail, but considers it politic to downplay any seeming support for gay Jesus sex, even as an artistic statement that's trying to make a point, considering the huge potential political fallout--and it is a political campaign--from being seen to be taking snide swipes at the Christian community. Mapplethorpe is also shocked, shocked! to get hate mail, and at the lack of support and understanding for his oeuvre, and resigns. Christians are angry. Conservatives are angry (and gleeful at the gift of political ammunition). Onlookers say:

  "It's because he's an atheist!" -- atheistic Mapplethorpe supporter

  "No, No, it's because he's a gay man!" -- Identity Politics Mapplethorpe Supporter

  "I'm offended at what seems smug Christian-bashing" -- Christian

  "I don't see any reason to change or truncate my art" -- Mapplethorpe

  "(Uncomfortable Silence)" -- Edwards

  I don't like playing the fun game of assigning blame and shame at every opportunity. But I do think that, um, duh--what'd everybody expect to happen?

  —I'm serious, I may be missing something--??
  Permalink
  Flag
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel