The extent to which freedom of expression is applied in America is an essential question that has been debated since the freedom was first established in the constitution. One medium of expression, musical theatre, demonstrates the potential consequences of this freedom’s restriction through the attempted censorship during the 1930s of (insert the number of plays that were censored). A popular producer in that time, John Huston, commented on this issue when he stated, “I don't approve of censorship. I like the French theatre idea. Put on the play, and if the audience doesn't care for it, or feels offended by it, they rip up the seats” (Quote Master). Huston, along with many other artists, believed that the theatre was a place for free thought
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Artists often act as a medium for the distribution of ideas that might not otherwise be widely spread or well known, so this attempt to limit their messages resulted in the removal of viewpoints available to the American people, and ultimately, the suppression of the free exchange of ideas that plays an essential role in society.
The House Un American Activities Committee limited the production of new plays containing controversial political ideas. Beginning in 1938, the House Committee held hearings on typically left-wing people in the film and entertainment industry that were accused of pushing the communist agenda. The chairman of HUAC, Martin Dies, made a statement at the committees first hearing where he promised that the organization would not “‘permit any character assassination or any smearing of innocent people,’” going on to mention how “‘It is easy to smear someone's name or reputation by unsupported charges or an unjustified attack, but it is difficult to repair the damage that has been done’” (Messinger). Ironically, these HUAC hearings most often resulted in the public humiliation of many famous liberals through distasteful apologies about their political pasts and the investigation of several left-wing people who had not even been …show more content…
Whether the ideas being voiced are well-educated or misinformed, the open dialogue and conversation amongst fellow piers is necessary for the continual success of a society, and more specifically, a democracy. The political party system in the United States is an attempt to facilitate the conversation surrounding citizens differing beliefs. This easy access to organized ideas allows citizens to get a variety of perspectives and gives the people the ability to participate in the conversation surrounding political issues. This is what allows citizens to be properly involved in the voting of government officials and other elections. Additionally, the mutual transferring of information does not need to be managed by a government as it is already managed by the people themselves. Professor and cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker, while discussing the self regulating aspect of society, stated that as a community, “we come up with ideas about the nature of reality, and test them against that reality, allowing the world to falsify the mistaken ones” (Steve Pinkers FIRE’S
Artists often act as a medium for the distribution of ideas that might not otherwise be widely spread or well known, so this attempt to limit their messages resulted in the removal of viewpoints available to the American people, and ultimately, the suppression of the free exchange of ideas that plays an essential role in society.
The House Un American Activities Committee limited the production of new plays containing controversial political ideas. Beginning in 1938, the House Committee held hearings on typically left-wing people in the film and entertainment industry that were accused of pushing the communist agenda. The chairman of HUAC, Martin Dies, made a statement at the committees first hearing where he promised that the organization would not “‘permit any character assassination or any smearing of innocent people,’” going on to mention how “‘It is easy to smear someone's name or reputation by unsupported charges or an unjustified attack, but it is difficult to repair the damage that has been done’” (Messinger). Ironically, these HUAC hearings most often resulted in the public humiliation of many famous liberals through distasteful apologies about their political pasts and the investigation of several left-wing people who had not even been …show more content…
Whether the ideas being voiced are well-educated or misinformed, the open dialogue and conversation amongst fellow piers is necessary for the continual success of a society, and more specifically, a democracy. The political party system in the United States is an attempt to facilitate the conversation surrounding citizens differing beliefs. This easy access to organized ideas allows citizens to get a variety of perspectives and gives the people the ability to participate in the conversation surrounding political issues. This is what allows citizens to be properly involved in the voting of government officials and other elections. Additionally, the mutual transferring of information does not need to be managed by a government as it is already managed by the people themselves. Professor and cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker, while discussing the self regulating aspect of society, stated that as a community, “we come up with ideas about the nature of reality, and test them against that reality, allowing the world to falsify the mistaken ones” (Steve Pinkers FIRE’S