GRAND RAPIDS, MI—What’s in a name? Everything, if you’re the New Pornographers. The indie-rock group was scheduled to perform Oct. 15 at Calvin College, but the Christian school was having difficulty defending the decision. It didn’t matter that the band named itself after a 1966 Japanese film titled, satirically, The Pornographers, or that it has no other direct connection to porn. Some people just couldn't get past the name.
According to MLive.com, “The college released a statement explaining, ‘after weeks of discussion and consideration, the irony of the band's name was impossible to explain to many. The band's name, to some, is mistakenly associated with pornography. Consequently, Calvin, to some, was mistakenly associated with pornography. Neither the college nor the band endorses pornography.’”
Glad that’s cleared up. Too bad too many people obviously failed to see the light. Or maybe they did and it didn’t matter. After all, where in the bible does it say that the word porn can be used ironically?
According to Calvin student activities director Ken Heffner, there are no hard feelings between the school and the band. Refunds will be issued and the cancellation is being referred to as a "peaceful parting of ways."
For its part, the band is not commenting on the cancellation. Wednesday, MLive.com posted a new story about the nationwide coverage of the story, which it says “has run the gamut from general bemusement to outright mockery.”
Amen.
