- action | issues
- Academic Freedom
- Books
- Classrooms
- Copyright
- Film
- Government Secrecy
- Hate Speech
- Internet
- LGBT
- Libraries
- Music
- Nudity & Pornography
- Political Correctness
- Political Dissent
- Public Spaces
- Race Ethnicity Gender
- Radio & Television
- Religion
- Science
- Sex Education
- Theater & Performance
- Video Games
- Violence
- Visual Art
- Youth
- advocacy | projects
- education | resources
in support of free expression
The information presented here by the National
Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) may be freely redistributed in its entirety,
provided that readers are informed that the information was obtained from
NCAC's World Wide Web site and that credit is given to the appropriate source
of whatever information is used. Permission is expressly granted for the information
obtained to be made available for file transfer from installations offering
unrestricted anonymous file transfer on the Internet. Information found here
may not be sold for profit or incorporated in commercial documents without
the written permission from the National Coalition Against Censorship.
©Copyright 2005 NCAC
WEB DESIGN
Jeanne Criscola Criscola Design
free speech first amendment censorship
Lubbock City Officials ban Drawings from City Museum
UPDATE: Lubbock City Officials Appologize to Artist and Invite her to Show Work
See NCAC letter to Lubbock City Officials here.
The centuries-old tradition of representing a mother—be it an ancient goddess, the Virgin Mary, or a 17th century Dutch housewife—nursing a child apparently did not stop Lubbock City officials from banning a drawing of a (fully clothed) nursing mother together with a companion piece representing a pregnant female nude.
In banning the work, public officials have not only violated First Amendment principles, they have also perpetuated the perception that the sight of a nursing mother or of a nude body are something shameful, if not obscene.
Surely, when it comes to art, everyone is entitled to their personal likes and dislikes. Parents can choose whether to take their children to a cultural center or gallery. However, it is not the role of public officials to enforce their own beliefs on the whole diverse community.
Under the pretext of “good judgment,” supposedly in the name of children, city officials might well decide the censor anything they don’t like - from a drawing of a nursing child to a work of political satire - while in the meantime chilling an even wider variety of work in all mediums of expression. That is why the Constitution protects expression independently of the “good judgment” of public officials.
Lubbock City officials should review their museum practices so that they conform to the founding American value of respect for free expression.
You may view the censored artwork below.
More information:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5373554.html
Artist's website: http://www.lahibjaddo.com/
Action Alerts
