Last summer, Yale University decided to strip all images of Mohammed from The Cartoons that Shook the World, by Jytte Klausen, a scholarly review of the events surrounding the 2005 Danish cartoon controversy published by Yale University Press. (See CN 101) To justify the decision, University officials cited concerns that the book might stimulate violence “somewhere in the world,” even though no actual threats had been received.
In September, the Supreme Court agreed to hear Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project, a case challenging provisions of the anti-terrorism laws that make it a crime to give “material support,” including “training” and “expert advice or assistance,” to any group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Every state in the nation makes it a crime to abuse animals. In 1999, Congress decided that wasn’t enough and created a new crime – taking or possessing a picture of animal cruelty.
Censorship news roundup, Winter 2009/2010
In this issue of Censorship News, we discuss the importance of academic freedom and Yale's decision to remove images of Mohammed from Jytte Klausen's The Cartoons that Shook the World.
The NCAC and AAUP issued a Statement of Principle and Call to Action urging governments, institutions and private individuals to support freedom of expression and academic freedom, and to resist caving in to threats of violence, real and imagined.
An upcoming exhibition at The John Slade Ely House for Contemporary Art in New Haven is overshadowed by the organizers’ decision to censor one of the artworks in the show. After numerous requests that Richard Kamler modify parts of his installation, and a month before the opening of the show, the organizers rejected his work for fear some members of the community may be offended.
Author Rachel Kauder Nalebuff reads "Hotdog on a String" and writer Alice Eve Cohen reads from her own work,"They Exit Together."
Actors Rachel Dratch, Martha Plimpton, & writer Elna Baker read from
Actors Joe Paulik & Martha Plimpton along with attorney Martin Garbus and filmmaker Liz Garbus read from Blume's Then Again, Maybe I Won't.
Comic Paul Mooney performs stand up for Judy Blume.
Comedienne Judy Gold opens the Judy Blume & Friends evening and introduces the event chair, Dan Glickman, Motion Picture Association of America CEO, who reads a section from "Are You There, God?It's Me Margaret."
Co-creator of The Daily Show, writer, & comedienne Lizz Winstead talks about getting pregnant in high school.
Multi-talented writer Hannah Friedman sings a song she wrote in honor of Judy Blume.
Actors Rachel Dratch & Michael Izquierdo read a scene from Blume's Forever. Judy Blume thanks guest, performers, & NCAC.
On October 19, 2009, the National Coalition Against Censorship celebrated its 35th anniversary with A Night of Comedy with Judy Blume & Friends.
Jordan Allen "Freedom Thieves" Nathaniel Dueber "Expelled" Aaron Dunbar "Rumors" Taylor Dunlap and Caroline Dunaway "REVOLUTION: a mockumentary" Jovan Landry "J.o.V.™ - Student Perception" Lauren Leak "Common [Censored]" Noemie Long "Is There Really Free Speech in School" Jack McClintock "A Promised Freedom-Within Reach" Ashley Mills "Freedom" Amy Obarski "Petty Inquiries" Stephen Small and Tom Piasny "Silenced" Katelyn Whitehead "Have We [...]
This film simply shows the story of someone that no longer has the interest or the courage to express his feelings in words. Not one word crosses his lips. Why? This topic no doubt happens even more oftertimes when the media ISN'T around. In these cases, the youth must stand up for themselves. If you or a friend experiences this, [...]
In my film, I chose to focus on the effects of censorship in schools. It shows how today the subject of free speech is approached as a series of questions concerning the present and the future. Technically, there is free speech, but is it free if there are consequences? If things do not change, the only thing that will spread [...]
My film is over whether freedom of speech in school exists. I took sort of a Micheal Moore approach, having a sarcastic tone and a comical effect, while I still stuck to my topic and projected my point. I wanted to show the school system that the students have a voice and want it heard FULLY.
My film is a documentary style video that reveals college students' responses to whether or not free speech exists in school. After hearing from the students, my personal theme of the film is illustrated as to be "express yourself." I added a few musical touches to the film because I think music strengthens any film and cultivates interest among the [...]
My film includes different perspectives from students at Burnet High School discussing the question of freedom of speech in public schools. I chose this topic because sometimes I cannot express myself or my religion at school and I find it frustrating. It was interesting to see other views of this topic at school.
My film asks students and a teacher whether they feel there is free speech in their school. I decided to ask a teacher to get a different point of view. I chose this topic because many people think they don't have freedom of speech in their school, but I think I do, so I wanted to get my opinion to [...]
Common Censored is crafted around one central monologue performed by many voices. In the background plays famous footage from the fall of the Berlin Wall, MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech at the feet of the Lincoln Memorial, anti-war protest marches of the 60s, and Tiananmen Square. These were all instances in the past when the freedom of speech (or [...]
This is a short film that deals with freedom of speech in school. Two students try to bring reform to their classroom so the students can think freely. They must accomplish this while in an environment where the teacher is suppressive and oppressive of all of his students thoughts and ideas. I chose to create a story of this topic [...]
I chose freedom of speech in public schools because I feel that it gets over looked. Teachers and students feel that they can not always express their opinions and thoughts for fear that they will get in trouble. This documentary shows where we are at now with freedom of speech in schools and how far we have come since Tinker [...]
Freedom of speech, in schools.; It is a such a broad topic, which many of us don't even know where to begin. Many can argue that there isn't any freedom of speech in our schools or very limited. They may have had encountered some situations where they felt deprived of their student rights or maybe felt like they didn't have [...]
We chose the topic we did because we felt the several different aspects of it represented freedom of speech as a whole. First, freedom of speech is about expressing one self on a personal level. We felt that "following" a student at school would give that personal feeling. Next, we incorporated scenes of people protesting the Vietnam War because we [...]
"SPEAK UP!" is a film based around a plot of all these students in a class room with signs on their necks, all connecting to the idea that all these kids are afraid to speak up because they are afraid of getting in trouble for exercising there freedom of speech in school. Then a teacher of one class is trying [...]
My film is based on the past and present lack of "Freedom of Speech" found within the school systems. It covers Supreme Court cases that had a profound impact on the world of free speech in school, yet they did not do enough to satisfy what I believe constitutes "Free Speech". My inspiration for taking the angle can be traced [...]
This film was an experiment ...my first video...i had fun making this film.....i chose this film because it motivated me to be in film production.....
My experimental piece explores the mental troubles faced with drug addiction. Drugs are a major problem and our community and schools but such a video (like this) would not be show it schools because its too "suggestive". Creativity like this showed be praised and used in the class room as a new method of reaching out to the students. My [...]
Kids voices are shut down in school(s) daily. The Tinker vs. Des Moines case, where the Supreme Court voted in favor for the rights of students was to change all of this. But is that the case? "The Voiceless" demonstrates students who have had just about enough of the daily silent torture.
"Your Amendment is showing" is short film that demonstrates that students should have the ability to say how the feel without being persecuted for it. Although the First Amendment states that we as citizens have freedom of speech, it never said that we must abide by it with certain guidelines. Amy is a Student who feels that her teacher is [...]
I was inspired by the movie \"Metropolis\". With its same machine-like premise I couldn\'t think of a better image student oppression could be modeled to. Though I was under a strict movie run time ( 4 Minutes ), I feel that I addressed what I think students experience day by day in school. A withdrawal of free speech. The tape [...]
My film takes a short, punchy look at some of the varied opinions on freedom of speech in school. When I realized that I didn't have a strong opinion of my own that I could properly express, I decided to interview my peers and present their views. I also encouraged them to share their thoughts on free speech at our [...]
I asked several students who were eager to help to aide me in creating this video by asking them to say things they wish they were allowed to say at school.
In September, Walden Green School students came together to create something big. I think that this is he best example of the true meaning of "freedom of speech"- getting your voice heard. If my school didn't let our organization form rallies, petition for climate change, and make cool videos like this one, we might not have been the grassroots underdog [...]
