Southern Hospitality?

Too bad you didn't film the actual event.

I'm not convinced to the fairness of this story. I just saw it on Current today and as a resident of Charleston for the past 5 years, I was really curious to find more about this incident.

The first thing that I find off is the confusion around why they were asked to leave. There seems to be so much focus on mimicking an over-drawled dialect, the opinions of one person in the crowd, and the the fact that the performer was gay that they gloss over that they were performing during the daytime in an open area of downtown Charleston. From every newspaper excerpt that was flashed towards the end of this clip, it appears that the reason they were asked to stop was because their material was offensive for a mixed-age audience (ranging from the college kids that go to the College of Charleston to the throngs of tourists with their children). I'm basing much of my thoughts around this on the video itself, so I'll apologize in advance if some of what I have gathered is incorrect.

The second thing that I personally find offensive is their continual reference to "the south." Why complain about the closed-mindedness of an area when your troupe can't separate the thoughts and opinions that were feed to you, admittedly some true, yet many over-abused stereotypes, from the real people that inhabit an area? I am rather liberal and know many others that are like me who live in Charleston. Even though there are those that are are less so, they are still open-minded and tolerant of others' beliefs and lifestyles. But if you turn on the television and people are cursing, pretending that they're urinating on a cat, cursing, and performing a blasphemous version of the book of Job while children are in the room, then I'd think it would be safe to say someone is going to want to turn the channel.

I'm sure Rash Behaviour gets much love back in the comedy clubs of NY, but until they can get over their own generalizations and look at the big picture, they are no better than the people they fear.

I hope that you guys don't think that all of Charleston feels this way. We have a wonderful gay community here and they deal with this from "good 'ol boys" all the time. It sucks, hopefully they will be bred out quickly. Can we castrate? No, oh well.

I agree that many people in the south have conservative or closeminded views towards homosexuality or other "controversial" topics. However, I am tired of people refering to the entire south as backwards or behind. I feel that many people come down to the south with the preconceived notion that they'll meet racists or closedminded, ignorant people. I believe you see what you want to see and if that is what you want to find, that is what you'll get. As for this video, that was only one man who protested, not the entire crowd or south as this video or the performers would have you believe. I am sure there are many people who loved their performance (because many of my friends who where did). I also think that it is very hipocrytical of them to descriminate against and stereotype us while complaining about discrimmination.

As a southerner, I am constantly embarrassed by the press we receive that reinforces the image of us as intolerant and close-minded. Granted, it still happens, probably more frequently than in other areas of the country, but I am conflicted by the constant press on how we're lagging and not how we are progressing. I am appalled and confounded by the response Rash Behavoir received in Charleston, SC. Someday I hope to say that I am surprised by it. In the meantime, I encourage other artists to journey to the southern United States to help us, force us to address these issues in the open. We need all the help we can get. Without challenging encounters, there is no conversation, no revelation, no chance to expose the areas that still need to be addressed. ~ EvilH

As a person from Charleston, I do not feel that the troupe should have been forced to apologize. However, I grew up going to Spoleto since I was very young. My grandmother would take me and I feel their performance would have been better received at night, not while young children are walking around.

I think this pod represents a lot of the bigotry that STILL exist in the south...the country... These are some of the same people would not vote for Obama because he's a Black man, and no other reason. I do not think that any artist should be forced to change their material because the audience may not like it. So what, its about you getting over your on prejudices and stepping outside of things you've been taught to be true. If they are so strong the they should be able to be tested by alternative views.

These back woods views and "morals" are shared enough that the CITY LAWYER came down to shut down the performance. If it isn't then why didn't the people of Charleston, who still believe in the fundamental American right of freedom of expression and speech, not stand up for the artist and make sure that they were able to perform without the Gestapo type censorship.

So, I would like to here form those individuals in Charleston and see why they let this happen in the 21st century.

This pod generalizes too much about the South. These actors encounter one stereotypical, over-reacting, non-tactful white male and call it the decadence of Southern Hospitality? I think this is a good reminder of the way NOT to act when you disagree with someone, but I think falsely reflects the character of not only my Southern self, but that of my family and friends. Not cool.

i respect your descision for folding but i think you should have seen it through. Art should be about challenging perceptions and pushing boundaries.

One person should NEVER EVER EVER EVER, ruin it for others, it's there choice, and if they made a bad decision,, it's on them!!!

this is not a southern problem! it's an ignorance and hatred issue! so sorry that happened the way it did, it sucks when one person ruins things for everyone

I wouldn't take it out on the south in general. Like everyone has said, it was one man. Also, being a performer, you might want to consider your audience before a show. You can still express yourself, but if you give a message that your audience doesn't want to hear you will only bring anger. I am sure the troupe has many sets that would express and be less offensive. You perform for your audience as well as yourself. Keep them in mind.

So when are those fuckbags going to apologize for making the rest of humanity look bad?

This upsets me. Although even I don't "support" the lifestyle, i do onehundred percent support their right to say anything they too. Don't censor yourself to try to be accepted, if they don't like it let them deal with it and figure out WHY!?

i would'NT have thought of charleston (proper) as any kind of backwoods town. it really is too bad that one a-hole left such an impression about the place, notwithstanding the south as a whole. there are lots of gays down here, (as one of them) not to mention some towns (like atlanta, charlotte or asheville) where it's completely acceptable. even churches are opening their doors now.

Well, i think it really rings true that no matter where you go there will always be people who disagree on one hand and who support you in the other. Generalizing an area like Charleston by the actions of the few would be no better than them judging you for something you brought to the artistic table. On a specific level, those who criticize ANYTHING at an arts festival are rediculous because art is subject to the interpretation of the one who sees it. For the record, you did have the moral and legal high ground on refusing the apology, but its hard to make snap decisions like that, and spoleto hardly seems the appropriate place. Take it easy.

sorry to see the troupe get pushed around, it would have been more heroic if they had stood up but a compromise that kept the festival going is more impressive.
advice, stay outta the south, travel west!
keep up the good work!
brian d

i think it is overall upsetting, and irritating that someone would decide to take their prejudice to that extreme. technically, thats like me yelling at that guy because he had on a megadeth shirt only because i think they suck. who cares if there is homosexual in the group? good for him, hes open and confident. really, art is expressing yourself and sharing a feeling or opinion (in most cases). with that, how can you go to an ARTS* festival and complain when you disagree with some of the content? this just reflects how far we still have to go as a nation to become a well functioning society.

Bravo to Rash Behavior. Sorry for the kookie Southerners. I grew up in SC as a gay man and had to flee the insanity at age 18 to the West coast. S.C. is 100 years behind the US. They are still fighting the Cival War.

I have lived in Charleston SC my whole life. Not all of us are closed mined, just most. They hate gay people as much as they hate education around here.I can't stand that hate is it's own relgion that is tought to be taken out on others (in the name of Jesus). I want change and It could be possible in the youth, but expect nothing from the older natives of chucktown (we have had the same major for about 40 years).Thanks to you the whole world can see what i deal with every day being a left winged person living with close minded hate mongers. On behalf of all of the people of Charleston who can think for themselves "We are sorry to you for any pain caused by are locals. We love you all " .

ya

great interviews

Sad but true. forget all the inbred's down thare uhugh.why be offended theres nothing wrong gay folks dude they put there pant's on the same way as we do.