Earlier this month, there were raised concerns about the planned anti-bullying speech by actor and author Maulik Pancholy at Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The local school board ultimately voted to cancel the event, citing the actor’s “lifestyle” and activism as the basis for their decision, much to the dismay of some parents and former students.
The decision was made during the Cumberland Valley District school board meeting, where there were unanimous votes to cancel Pancholy’s speaking engagement, despite the event being geared towards addressing a critical issue like bullying. Concerns were voiced during the meeting by board members, with some expressing discomfort at the actor’s self-identification as an activist and the content of his book, ‘The Best At It’, which features LGBTQ+ characters.
The decision was met with criticism from former students and parents, and an online petition was started by a concerned parent, Trisha Comstock, to reinstate the event. The petition garnered substantial support, with more than 1,700 signatures.
In response to the controversy, board member Kelly Potteiger, also a member of a right-wing activist group, Moms for Liberty, expressed concerns regarding Pancholy’s potential discussion of his book. The board and Potteiger highlighted that the cancellation was due to the actor’s activism and self-identification as an “activist”, rather than his sexual orientation.
The school board, in response to public outcry, stated that Pancholy’s visit was not originally part of the agenda and that the decision to cancel was in line with school policy prohibiting political speeches and political activism.
Maulik Pancholy, aside from being known for his role in the TV series ’30 Rock’ and voice acting in Disney and Nickelodeon’s animated series, has been active in social justice causes. He identifies as an “activist” and is a co-founder of the anti-bullying campaign #ActToChange, which has since evolved into a non-profit aimed at addressing the unique needs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) youth.
While School Board member Bud Shaffner has denied that Pancholy’s sexual orientation was the reason for the cancellation, citing policy on political activism, the decision has sparked substantial debate around the controversy.
The cancellation of Maulik Pancholy’s speaking event at the middle school has raised concerns about censorship and the freedom of expression. It has also stirred a larger conversation about the representation of LGBTQ+ content in educational settings.