Florida principal resigns after parents complain about Michelangelo’s ‘David’ statue

[Dr. Who]

Michelangelo
Sam Sachs
Fri, March 24, 2023 at 9:57 AM


Story at a glanceStudents in a Florida school were shown images of Michelangelo’s Renaissance period sculpture “David,” leading to complaints that the children were shown pornographic material.

Tallahassee Classical School, a private institution, gave its principal an ultimatum to quit or be fired after three parents complained.

“David” is a Renaissance Period sculpture depicting biblical hero David of the famous David and Goliath tale, holding his sling in the nude and standing at over five meters tall.



At issue? Students in the school were shown images of Michelangelo’s Renaissance period sculpture “David,” leading to complaints that the children were shown pornographic material.



Florida principal resigns after parents complain about Michelangelo’s ‘David’ statue (yahoo.com)

Since when is nudity defined as pornography? Since when have any of Michelangelo's works of art qualified as porn? It seems to me that if you think the naked human body is pornographic, you have serious mental problems.

[jigglepete]

All I can say is wow, just when you thought you'd heard it all.

[Captdon]

Since when is nudity defined as pornography? Since when have any of Michelangelo's works of art qualified as porn? It seems to me that if you think the naked human body is pornographic, you have serious mental problems.

Did they $#@! when they had Huck Finn banned?

[FindersKeepers]

Since when is nudity defined as pornography? Since when have any of Michelangelo's works of art qualified as porn? It seems to me that if you think the naked human body is pornographic, you have serious mental problems.

This is getting out of hand.

Correction--it's out of hand.

[RMNIXON]

I would say this is art but as an art student including college level courses there is the issue of age appropriateness. The OP says this involved sixth graders and may have caused some giggles, but I don't find much of a controversy.

That said I would not reject parents objections so lightly for obvious political reasons. Two much is happening these days with intent to be so dismissive.

[Tahuyaman]

Some forms of art should not be presented to children who are too young to grasp what it’s all about. We need to let children be children and let them mature naturally. Let’s back off trying to raise children to adulthood before they experience childhood. Let kids be kids.


Many things can be acceptable, but still age appropriate.

[Tahuyaman]

Since when is nudity defined as pornography? Since when have any of Michelangelo's works of art qualified as porn? It seems to me that if you think the naked human body is pornographic, you have serious mental problems.

Can we let children experience childhood before we try to force them into understanding things which they are not mature enough to handle?

[carolina73]

I can remember visiting the Boston Art Museum in a grammar school filed trip. I don't remember any stickers covering up the naughty bits.

We had all seen National Geographic.

[BenjaminO]

Since when is nudity defined as pornography? Since when have any of Michelangelo's works of art qualified as porn? It seems to me that if you think the naked human body is pornographic, you have serious mental problems.

It's obvious none of those parents grew up on a farm. The exposure is inevitable. It's the way a parent addresses and explains things that is important.
Next thing will be a requirement to clothe farm animals and zoo animals.

[zelmo1234]

This is a bit to far the other way. I can't believe this is the world we live in. Apparently both sides are stuck on stupid