A lot of people will think that connecting censorship at a downtown Pittsburgh art exhibit and the region’s economic weakness is pretty far out. While the cause is endlessly debated and some strong progress has been made; Pittsburgh, in spite of leading universities, research hospitals, foundations and major cultural institutions has had a lot of trouble in both keeping major corporate headquarters attracting new ones and most importantly; in spawning new high growth companies. Taxes are a big reason - but then why are we trailing other high tax areas? One big thing is that it seems to be hard for employers to get a lot of highly skilled, motivated creative people to live here. Boosters say we just need to wipe out the town’s reputation as a dirty, boring, post industrial backwater filled with people afraid of change and controlled by a white male oligarchy stuck in the past.

Here’s a quote from Richard Florida which confirms my personal experience.

“City leaders continue to promote Pittsburgh as a place that is good for families, seemingly unaware of the demographic changes that have made young people, singles, new immigrants, and gays critical to the emerging social fabric. People in focus groups I have conducted feel that Pittsburgh is not open to minority groups, new immigrants, or gays. Young women feel there are substantial barriers to their advancement. Talented members of racial and ethnic minorities, as well as professional women, express their desire to leave the city at a rate far greater than their white male counterparts. So do creative people from all walks of life.”

Now, I had seen that show at it’s opening but I had not seen the censored work. I was planning to go back and spend more time and now the work cannot be seen. This major show was supposed to show what a cool, creative open city we have here but instead it kind of shows the opposite.