Reply #108: Absolutley not

[OilemFirchen]

You'll note that I described programs with stipends (grants, scholarships, et al) for needy students. In fact, it's a great way to help these kids, whose schools likely don't have the resources to provide for good after-school programs, if any at all.

Anectdotally, one of the finest examples is Dayton, Ohio's Living Arts program, which ran from the late 1960's to the 70's. Students citywide were exposed to the arts - fine art, music, dance, literature, etc. and often incredible guest lecturers and teachers-in-residence (you can read a little bit about it in Harlan Ellison's The Glass Teat).

Unfortunately, and quite relevant to this discussion, it was the local fundies and racists who objected from the beginning and had it shut down. You can also read a bit about that in Ellison's book.