Working on a college campus has its perks, among them, free activities and food. I’ll use today as an example. At noon, the digital media center was having an open house. At this event, not only did I learn about the great video editing studio on campus (all Apple,) but I also received a satisfying deli lunch. Immediately following that event was another, held just a few minutes away at the arts center. This low-key performance was part of a series of afternoon concerts. Today’s entertainment was a saxophonist and drummer – here’s a link to the website of the drummer, Mike Calabrese… check out those photos!
In the audience there was a group that I am assuming came from a local center for mentally handicapped young adults. One cohort was sitting in the very front row and included a young man who appeared to have some form of autism. During the music he was waving his hands around and rocking back and forth. The reason I mention this is because it was distracting. I had come to listen to a musical performance and instead was drawn to this individual’s own form of expression. While a part of me was thinking that his movements were perhaps more genuine than the rest of the audience’s stodgy straight-backed sitting, another part of me was angry that he was stealing the spotlight. I began to think about alternatives: what if they had all sat in the very back row, thereby not drawing attention to themselves? Would such a thing be the equivalent of warehousing? I was not sure how I would have handled the situation had I been an employee of this center. The extent to which mentally handicapped individuals should be allowed to participate in activities seems to be tied to the disruptiveness factor. Just as a crying baby would not be welcome at a musical performance, so too should be the case for individuals who create a commotion. However, I realize the coldness of that logic, and would not wish to unnecessarily deny any individual, regardless of his/her special needs, access to enjoyable events. The question then becomes who dictates what constitutes a distraction and what action can be taken. It was an odd moment which leaves me with no good answer.
The question for me is less about pure denial of entry and more about whether that denial would matter more to the audience or the persons being denied. Barring disruptive babies from a performance isn’t going to matter to the babies, since they probably aren’t appreciating the performance the same way older audience members would.
Tentatively, I’d say the same could go for some mentally handicapped people. I can’t speak for all or any conditions, obviously, since I’m not a doctor, but I would think that people whose mental conditions prevent them from really appreciating a performance – and autism might well be one – aren’t going to gain a lot from being admitted to a performance, and they’re going to ruin the experience for everyone else. Imagine being a struggling musician who finally got booked at a popular place, and having your performance spoiled by someone who really shouldn’t be there.
Alternative seating is a good idea, and might solve the problem in some cases. I don’t see this as warehousing at all, any more than having specially designated seats for people in wheelchairs is warehousing. Theaters and other communal areas should be – and are – designed with a wide varity of needs in mind.
Discussions aside, distractions – whatever the reason – are really damned irritating.
I understand your conflict and along with the irritation, I detect some compassion.
I believe it would have been inappropriate to bring a baby to that setting. After all, there are many baby-oriented activities in this society. Babies should be allowed to be babies. They will have time, when they are older to enjoy listening to music.
Finding the right setting for impaired adults is another issue. They would have distracted me too. However, I would have felt some pride to know that our society has programs that adults with disabilities can attend. In many societies, they would be hidden away.
I’m with your compassionate side.