The arts are for everyone — including kids

My 7-year-old recently attended The King’s Singers holiday performance at Hancher Auditorium. An evening that should have been filled with magical carols was soured by a man who felt he needed to tell my child — to their face — they didn’t belong there.

The show began and she, being a kiddo, was a little squirmy and chatty. With a warning, she subsided. As the beautiful music continued, she started to sway with the melody — a human reaction to a lovely performance. Her hands stretched up, and I reminded her to keep them down. She adjusted and did well into intermission.

After the break, an elderly man approached us at our seats. With my child beside me, he explained that my daughter had "ruined" his evening because of her inability to sit still. He noted he paid for expensive seats, and that I should be ashamed to have brought her.

My jaw hit the floor. I’d like to offer a few reminders to grown adults:

All are invited to enjoy the arts, including children.

The people sitting near you are human — they occasionally cough or move. And even (gasp) get up to use the bathroom.

Your individual experience is not more important than any other attendee — including a child.

Kids deserve to be treated with dignity and respect — always.

When we attend a performance, we are agreeing to experience something beautiful together. And with that, sometimes comes imperfection.

Katie Linder

Iowa City