Nadine Strossen’s new book, HATE, is a clear and forceful polemic that deserves a wide audience. The book brilliantly revitalizes a classical liberal argument about the importance of countering hate speech with more speech, not enforced silence.
Between Boycotts and Special Interest Campaigns: the Chilling of Speech on Israel and Palestine
Any art institution that displays art about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict – or even art that is created by Israeli or Palestinian artists – needs to carefully navigate a space between intense pressures coming from right-wing pro-Israel groups and calls for boycott from supporters of the cultural BDS movement.
One Year In: Trump and Trauma, Threats and Tribalism
A year into one the most divisive presidencies Americans have seen in their lifetimes, free speech is in crisis. NCAC’s Director of Programs looks at the most representative issues affecting artistic freedom in the first year of the Trump administration.
Threats of Violence are Chilling our Public Sphere
Every time threats of violence succeed in silencing expression, our public sphere is impoverished and even more polarized.
Demands to Cancel Dana Schutz’s ICA Exhibit Don’t Help the Cause for Social Justice
Efforts to blacklist an artist over a controversial painting are not conducive to the goal of overcoming racial inequity.
The Election and Our Fractured Public Sphere
NCAC’s Director of Programs reflects on what we do now, to promote speech across political lines, in post-election America.
The Case Against Nixing VAXXED
The widely publicized cancellation of the controversial documentary is likely to backfire for those concerned that the ideas in the film are fraudulent and wrong.
Does “Hate Art” Have a Place?
Does art that offends belong in a government building? That’s the debate unfolding in Denver, after a student’s painting that likens police to the Ku Klux Klan was displayed in the city’s Webb Building.
Does “Lives Matter” Art Matter? Florida Association Has No Place for Political Art
After two visitors complained about a painting, a small gallery space in Vero Beach told an artist to remove the piece.
Victory: A Year On, University of Kentucky Uncovers Controversial Mural Depicting Slaves
After students voiced their objections, the University of Kentucky has covered a historical mural. The school should seize the opportunity to have serious dialogue.
Policing Art: Peltier Paintings Removed After Complaints
Former FBI officials successfully remove paintings by Leonard Peltier from a government building in Washington state.
Why the Transformation of May Day into Loyalty Day is Troubling
Workers around the world are celebrated on May Day. But here in the United States it’s actually “Loyalty Day”– a reminder of some of the darkest days of cultural and political censorship.
NCAC Joins Worldwide Secret Cinema Screenings to Protest Censorship of The Interview
On Sunday, Dec 21st, NCAC joined Secret Cinema and Spectrum to screen Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator in protest against the cancellation of The Interview. As NCAC noted in a statement regarding the cancellation, threats of violence have become increasingly successful in suppressing cultural expression. Before Sony Pictures Entertainment withdrew its film, The Interview, from all outlets of circulation […]
In Praise of Emotional Discomfort
The United States is proud of its freedoms, but it is also – and increasingly – a country of the easily – and proudly – offended. Being offended has become something of a political badge of honor: if I find sexist (or racist, or anti-gay) jokes appropriately offensive I am an enlightened feminist (or champion […]
Bravos Drown Out Hecklers at “Death of Klinghoffer” Opening
The audience coming to see John Adams’ Death of Klinghoffer on Monday, October 20th, had to pass through a cordon of angry protesters crying “shame” and holding placards condemning the Metropolitan Opera of rather far fetched things like “taking terrorist $$$” or “glorifying terrorism.” They must not have succeeded in shaming anyone as the house was full. […]
Sculpture of Male Nude Declared Porn by Some Texans
Jorge Marin’s sculpture group Wings of the City has been on display in Houston’s Discovery Green Park since early September. Almost predictably some viewers are objecting to the nudity of the sculptures. As usual those who object do it supposedly on behalf of the innocence of children – though Wings of the City has been exhibited […]
Conflict Avoidance
Cancelled commencement speakers, a rush of attempts to put trigger warnings on class content, student petitions to remove potentially disturbing artwork from campus… What is going on? Academia is no stranger to free speech battles. In the 1950s professors could be ousted for “treasonous or seditious acts or utterances” or for being members of an […]
Then and Now: War Reporting
This year NCAC celebrates 40 years on the frontlines of the censorship wars. As we revisit our 40 year history —and the recent history of censorship in the US —we will be looking at how information access, creative freedom and control over what we see and know have changed – or not. The approach of […]
Damien Hirst’s “The Virgin Mother” Under Fire In Long Island. Protect Interesting Public Art!
Damien Hirst’s The Virgin Mother is a large piece about even larger subjects: life, death, birth, and humanity. But is it too large for Old Westbury, L.I.? The Virgin Mother was previously displayed (there are several casts) at Lever House in Manhattan, outside London’s Royal Academy, and on Fontvieille Harbour, Monaco. But now that it […]
More Trouble in Academia: the Middle Eastern Debate
With by now predictable regularity, student activism – and even academic debate – on the conflict in the Middle East is met with punitive sanctions and attempts at silencing. Such attempts exist on both sides, but disproportionately punish students and speakers critical of Israeli politics. The latest episode took place this March on the Campus […]
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