Should Art Be Censored?
What if I told you that many artists around the world, including America, are being tormented and silenced for their freedom of expression? It sounds a little strange to think that in the twenty-first century a human can still be suppressed from expressing itself however it wants. A slender yet plentiful amount of artists to this day feel like they are left in the pouring rain when everyone is protected by the government’s umbrella of freedom of speech. Art whether we know it or not is found all around us. In the music we hear, in the poetry and books we read, and even the revolutions we read from history books taught in school. All and more is art and by censoring art we would take away the public’s right to express themselves which is needed in a democratic world (Because Freedom Can’t).
By definition censoring is suppressing any parts that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security (oxford dictionaries) but who is it to say what is acceptable? The National Art Education Association has made it clear that “the individual has the right to accept or reject any work of art for himself or herself personally but does not have the right to suppress those works of art…with whom he or she does not agree.” By censoring forms of art not only do we take basic civil rights away but reduce diversity among society. In a democratic country like ourselves, we have the first amendment of the constitution to protect us but that isn’t entirely valid. Like many rules there are always hidden holes that the public does not see; exceptions that cannot and should not be tolerated. Pro-censorship forces for example, often conduct scientific research to make them seem official to appeal to the au...
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Everyone has the right to free expression, and this is what Rosenblatt is trying to get across. The necessity of freedom of expression and
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freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” These are the exact words used by our country’s forefathers when they made these amendments in the late 1700’s. Ever since then there have been people trying to abolish this right by censoring things that the American public has a right to see if they so choose. Movies, books, music, thoughts, ideas, and literature are all things that have fallen victims to censorship in this country. The idea and practice of censorship is unconstitutional and should be completely abolished in all forms.
Censorship has been a big part of the world’s history and especially America’s history. One of the most quoted amendments to the United States constitution is the first amendment; “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press ...” This amendment guaranteeing free speech, press, and religion is still heavily debated and contested today. Censorship, as a challenge to free speech and press has been allowed many times and has been heavily debated itself. Many people censor for many different reasons and in many different forms. Censorship itself is not always a bad thing and has in some cases been used for protection of the general population.
For years, the topic of censorship has a been highly controversial issue. Over the centuries, many people have fought and died to gain the freedom of speech and ideas. The impression that creative ideas and important information should be hidden from society and controlled by the government, is a discordant one. Censorship is the act of controlling the freedom of speech, ideas, and information. Unsuprisingly, people in the nineteenth or the twentieth century had no problem with the controversial issue of censorship. A century ago, technology just started to make itself known in the world. People had the radio, the television, and the typewriter. Although the internet was invented, it was hardly used as frequently as individuals, in modern times,
Growing up in this environment, Weiwei began to form his own opinions on social issues. He quickly became a human’s right activist and decided to express his ideas through art. Ai Weiwei uses art as a form of expression to highlight current issues in the world in hopes of sparking change. Ai Weiwei balances many different mediums, styles, and
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The subject of censorship is a very controversial one, especially the banning of books. Many people believe they must protect themselves and others from the "evils" of many classic books and works of art because they can be deemed "indecent" in one way or another. Many believe that this is absurd and censorship in its current form is a violation of our First Amendment right to free speech. Personally, I align myself with the latter, however I do feel there are occasions where censorship is justifiable.
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Kieran, M. (2008, January 28). Art, censorship and morality. Open Learn, the Open University. Retrieved January 5, 2014 from http://www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-arts/culture/philosophy/art-censorship-and-morality
Hence, censorship is essential in society to eliminate discrimination on basis of race and gender, protect children, maintain stability and restore what censor sees as lost moral values. Censorship occurs when expressive materials like books, magazines, movies, videos, music or works of art are restricted to particular audiences based on their age or other characteristics. http://www.ala.org/oif/intellectualfreedeomandcensorship.html) Censorship is not a recent development. It wasn’t imposed properly or there weren’t strict regulations before.