That brain-trust of the lobotomized, better known as Operation Rescue, took time out from illegally blocking abortion clinics to picket the Mapplethorpe art exhibit some time ago. Although I do not necessarily approve of the art that Robert Mapplethorpe created and displayed, the morons who picketed the Mapplethorpe art exhibit gave it a lot more publcity and exposure than it otherwise would have had. The fact that several self-appointed moralists and morality groups condemned Mapplethorpe's racy photographs increased the public's and the art world's curiosity. Therefore, the picketing or boycott of anything deemed offensive is almost always counterproductive because of the subversive appeal which often accompanies viewing or hearing about almost anything which is fobidden or frowned upon by any members of society. Similarly, if a show or exhibit is advertised as "banned in Boston", the notoriety might and likely will get many more people to check out that show or exhibit than otherwise would. (t0 be cont'd)
[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]
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