New Jersey School Production of RAGTIME to Go On Intact

Today it was reported that a New Jersey school district that had planned a censored production of the musical RAGTIME has overturned its decision.

This afternoon, after receiving criticism from arts and anti-censorship advocates for planning to eliminate any racist or offensive language in the musical, Dr. Joseph Meloche, superintendent of schools in Cherry Hill, released a statement, announcing the decision to perform the show as written.

The an excerpt from the statement reads:

"In coming to a decision, our focus remains on our students, on their safety and their development-which has always been and always will remain our top priority. Education must take place in a safe way, in a safe environment. The final decision regarding Ragtime was not made based on a vote. We do not deem any individual or group who voiced an opinion in the process as wrong. Nor is any person or group more valuable than another. We are greatly appreciative of all who have joined the hours of discussion, and for the respectful manner in which most conducted themselves.

These are tumultuous, difficult times. We believe that while these difficult times provide challenges in our educational community, they also provide an opportunity and an obligation to educate. We believe we can educate using difficult subject matter presented in a safe, sensitive way. To that end, Cherry Hill High School East will present Ragtime as written. The school community will be supported by curriculum and conversation leading up to and continuing through the show's performance dates and beyond. The curriculum additions will allow all of our students to learn from the production without feeling threatened or disenfranchised. We will present resources and conversation regarding the production at each performance. We will make it abundantly clear that we loathe the N-word, that we despise this most vile of words in our language. We have been offered professional support in this endeavor from within the Cherry Hill Schools community and from professionals outside the community. We will be availing ourselves of those resources from now through the performance schedule of Ragtime at Cherry Hill High School east-opening on March 10, 2017 and closing on March 19, 2017-and into the future.

We look forward to continued conversations with the stakeholders who have generously and respectfully offered their time and perspective to this process. We also look forward to our community treating each other with kindness and respect moving forward.

Words matter.

There is much work to be done. Please, join us in supporting our children-all of our children-in moving forward. Be a positive voice, be part of a positive change."

RAGTIME will run March 10-12 and 17-19 at the Cherry Hill East Auditorium. The production will include educational aids to help students explore the history of racism in America and its historical implications.