Beckwith defends Facebook post that criticized WHS band show

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith is defending his recent Facebook comments criticizing a Westfield High School band performance. Following an April 22 post that drew community backlash, Beckwith appeared on conservative radio station WOWO’s “Fort Wayne’s Morning News” to defend his stance. Speaking with host Kayla Blackslee, Beckwith renewed his criticism of the school and issued a direct challenge to Westfield Mayor Scott Willis. “Bring it on. I’m right and they’re wrong,” Beckwith said to start the interview. Beckwith noted his initial post was prompted by Christian students at WHS who felt uncomfortable with the indoor percussion show but were afraid to speak out. He also claimed he did not delete the original post, which was viewable April 24 but temporarily hidden the evening of April 23. The band’s indoor percussion theme, “Red Line,” features members in black and red costumes with black makeup under their eyes. A Feb. 21 social media post by the Westfield Band Boosters described the show’s narrative: “The Red Line follows a journey of knowing where boundaries exist, yet feeling an urge to cross them. From the restraint of Bolero to the fire of Carmen Fantasy and Capriccio Espagnol, restraint gives way to passion as precision collides with obsession, leaving us changed forever.” “Bolero,” “Carmen Fantasy” and “Capriccio Espagnol” refer to classical violin compositions. Beckwith, however, offered a different interpretation of the show. “If you don’t know who Carmen is, it’s a fantasy novel,” Beckwith said, referring to the opera’s source material. “It’s a character. And this is a woman. She’s a seductive witch. … Her job in this opera that they are actually playing music from is to seduce a husband and a father out of his marriage into an affair.” Beckwith argued that local tax dollars should not fund the performance. “We pay a lot of freaking money and property taxes in Westfield,” Beckwith said. “Conservative Christian families’ (taxes) are being used to stick it right down their throats.” He then aimed his criticism at WHS administrators. “These administrations are laughing at you,” he continued. “They’re taking your money, they’re warping your kids. They’re pushing demonic filth down their throats. And it’s happening all over the state. I’m freaking … I’m fed up with it. And if they want to fight me on it, then I’m your huckleberry. I will do it every day, twice on Sunday. Let’s go.” Beckwith also took aim at Willis, who posted a message of support for WHS on April 23. “This is what ticks me off,” Beckwith said. “The Westfield Mayor Scott Willis puts out this stupid post, and he says, ‘Oh, we love our band kids. Oh, we love Westfield.’ I challenge Scott Willis right now to a debate, a public forum. And I will say, ‘Your school is warping the minds of the next generation.’ And I want him on record defending this crap because it’s tax dollars.” A city representative told Current that the City of Westfield and Willis stand by the April 23 social media post and have no further comment. When asked what he would say to the students participating in the “Red Line” show, Beckwith—a former band teacher of 15 years—said he loves the arts but believes the students “don’t know what they’re doing.” “That’s what the demonic always does,” Beckwith said. “These kids, I’m sure worked hard, I’m sure they’re very talented, but that’s the delusion, right? They don’t know what they’re giving themselves over to.” “It’s not the kid I’m going after,” he continued. “It’s the administration. It’s the adults. It’s the people who should be watching out for them, because kids don’t know better.” Asked if he would change anything about his original post given the resulting controversy, Beckwith remained steadfast. “I’d probably share it twice,” he said. Related posts: No related posts. Share. Tumblr