Dr. Wietzke
ART/PHIL 310
28 April 2016
Don’t Censor Dick and Jane Censorship of art has been discussed for hundreds of years. Even today, art is still being looked through the scope of censorship. Many would say censoring art is taking away a basic right of freedom of speech and artistic expression. Others would say that censorship is a priority in protecting a viewer’s emotional harm and physical harm. Though art can cause much controversy, it is important to not censor art because this would mean taking away a valuable message and an artist’s form of expression. One particular piece that should not have been censored was “School Days” by Linda Cunningham, that was originally entered to be placed in The Emerald Art Center …show more content…
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Along the bottom of the frame, there was a glued pile of old shell casings. This is where the controversy was seen by the executive board. The shells were placed to express the feelings of the recent Sandy Hook shooting that took away many young children and adult lives. This shooting happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012. A 20-year-old gunman shot to death 20 first- and second-graders and six staff members before killing himself.
Was Cunningham’s piece too controversial? Paula Goodbar, the center’s coordinator, explained the executive board's hesitation due to the topic at hand. Many would reply that it was necessary to Censor “School Days”. Goodbar expressed the reluctant choice made by the executive board, but did not consider it censorship. “The committee tries to steer away from controversy” (Bjornstad). They didn’t want viewer’s getting upset when remembering the tragic …show more content…
It has been reported by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that more than 30,000 deaths annually from gun violence in this country. Gun violence continues to happen and nothing is done about. This piece was created to bring to light what is still happening in America, and more in America than in any other country on the planet. The executive board should not have censored this piece because the message behind is too valuable to miss. This piece was meant to highlight the shooting, but to also talk about. There were young lives lost and that should never happen again.. But it will continue to unless we talk about it and begin to heal and learn from it. The piece was meant to help the viewer remember about the need of protecting children and best way to that is beginning to talk about