A First Amendment Junkie Summary

The First Amendment was established to protect the citizens of the United States from the government overstepping their power. Since pornography is a form of expression many feminist writers like Susan Jacoby and Susan Brownmiller have argued on whether or not pornography should be protected by the First Amendment. Jacoby, writer of “A First Amendment Junkie” argues that “any form of censorship of pornography is wrong” (46). Brownmiller, the writer of “Let’s Put Pornography Back in the Closet”, on the other hand, argues that “using realistic and humane contemporary community standards” legislators should decide “what can be displayed and what cannot” (60). Both Jacoby and Brownmiller make solid points to help sway their audience to agree with

Brownmiller first acknowledges that “free speech is one of the great foundations on which our democracy rests” (57). However, she then argues that the First Amendment was not established to protect obscene images. In arguing on what is considered obscene the Court made some guidelines that follow: “The materials are obscene if they lack depict patently offensive, hard-core sexual conduct; lack serious scientific, literary, artistic, or political value; and appeal to the prurient interest of an average person- as measured by contemporary community standards” (Brownmiller 59). Brownmiller argues that feminist object to pornography because they believe that pornography, “dehumanizes the female body for the purpose of erotic stimulation and pleasure” (59). Brownmiller then states that even women with fit bodies will feel insecure and embarrassed seeing other women’s body parts shown in such a degrading ways. She makes a valid point in saying that pornography may give rapist the idea that what they do is simply giving into natural urges. She also shows that pornography, “encourages women to believe that sexual masochism is healthy, liberated and fun” (59). In order to help those who are hurt by pornography Brownmiller suggests to censor out what the average person considers obscene. She then explains that with the help of the Courts and legislator’s, pornography will no longer be a threat to men, women, and