As I was reading my theater book I came across a quote I believe made a terrific definition of the purpose of art.

“The spectacle of life fascinates. Caught in the turmoil of affairs we do not see it clearly for our eyes are fixed on other things, our business, our wealth, our occupation, our reputation.

“These things give us bias and a preoccupation which prevent our seeing the spectacle we make out of ourselves.

“But in moments of leisure we flock to the theatre or read stories of love, passion, intrigue and adventure.

“These, and not our experiences, tell us what life really is, for they transform us from participants in action to spectators of it. We have the happiness of detatchment.

“We see life without living it.. art, not business or work or morals or religion or science or philanthropy, reveals what life is and reveals it to be viewed in freedom.”

(Frederick J.E. Woodbridge, The Son Of Appollo)

When I think of the censorship issue, I think of all I haven’t seen and may never see if banning, burning and censorship keeps occuring.

My point and the point of the quote above is that art is an expression of life, not as you or I see it, but as the artist sees it. It is his point of view.

He tries to represent his views the best way he can in his own way.

Now this is his freedom, just as it is our freedom to express our thoughts and ideas if we choose to. Freedom hosts diversity.

If we are not free to have our own beliefs, ideas or thoughts, we will have come no further than how Hitler tried to control people’s thoughts in World War II.

Of course not everything in our society is appropriate for everyone, but I respect that there are differences.

Heck, if it were up to me there would be no country-western music. But just because I dislike it doesn’t mean I can’t tolerate it.

I do agree there is obscene stuff out there that should be regulated. Regulated not banned!

Playboy sits on the shelf right next to the Sports Illustrated, so why can’t 2 Live Crew sit on the shelf right next to Barry Manilow?

I can’t really see any difference except that 2 Live Crew is being banned for singing what Playboy is implying.

Corie Lahman

Sophomore

Interior Design