This is an embarrassment.
Bucks County Community College’s decision to cancel a special pre-screening of the new PBS docuseries Bucks County, USA is an embarrassment – not only for the college’s students, faculty and staff – it’s an embarrassment for the larger community across the county.
This five-part documentary series directed by award-winning filmmakers Robert May and Barry Levinson spent years reporting and filming in Bucks County, interviewing community members from Central Bucks and Pennridge school districts who found themselves embroiled in what the New York Times had dubbed “The School Board Wars.” Some of the topics of division included book banning, LGBTQ Pride flags, curriculum, and good governance and transparency on school boards.
However, May, Levinson, along with co-producer Jason Sosnoff, didn’t make this series to solely expose or exploit the divisions and divisiveness that had become inflamed locally. They had a deeper mission.
“At its core, the intention of this series is to encourage generous listening and foster respectful conversations among those with differing opinions,” according to the filmmakers.
How is it that a documentary series encouraging “generous listening” and “respectful conversations among those with differing opinions” are lessons that a college refuses to champion, or celebrate? Never mind the insulting decision to cancel the event just two days before – and without any explanation.
In addition, following the screenings the audience at the community college (which would have included subjects in the documentary) would have been treated to a special panel discussion and Q&A featuring PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff as moderator to explore the issues raised by the documentary and the broader questions surrounding political division, community, and civil discourse in America.
Not anymore.
Here’s what we know
According to a statement released by director May:
“The BCCC team said that no real explanation was provided to them, but that they were ordered to cancel the event, and our plea to speak with whoever made this decision was denied.”
Who would have the power to order the college to cancel an event, and ensure the decision was shrouded in secrecy? However, this is not the first time the college has pulled something like this. On March 9, PA-01 Democratic congressional candidates Lucia Simonelli, Tom Taft, Michael Zeltakalns and Tracy Hunt were scheduled to have a town hall at the community college but the event was cancelled a week before – and with no explanation.
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Whatever the reason, whether it was a security threat, or political pressure, the community college’s leadership is doing itself and the community a disservice by not being forthright and transparent.
“Despite our request that they hold further action until we could discuss, they ignored our request and sent the cancellation email without providing any further notice.”
This isn’t just inexcusable, it is rude.
“We know that this cancellation is most unusual and will likely draw national attention.”
It should. But I don’t think this is the type of “national attention” the college will want.
“This decision and how it was handled go against everything we’ve worked toward; we know the Bucks County community is made up of truly wonderful people, and despite the BCCC’s decision, we remain committed to the project’s goal of furthering dialogue and bridging the divide. This event was meant to do just that – with the support of those who shared their stories.“
Interesting that a community college is seemingly opposed to a documentary series that champions education, community engagement and civic political dialogue. This should be the role of any institution of higher learning. Is the goal of Bucks County Community College to produce small minds?
And the fact they refuse any transparency or accountability teaches their students yet another wrong lesson.
“As I write this message, we are working to move the event to an alternate location and will keep you in the real-time loop. As one of our participants said, we’ve now been presented with an opportunity to bring multiple sides together.“
I hope they are successful.
In the meantime, the Bucks County Beacon is digging into this story to shine a light and uncover the truth behind this embarrassing decision.
