Censorship 9 Essay

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Censorship is, and has always has been, a very important issue in America. Bradley Steffens' book Censorship discusses the history and many of the issues that pertain to censorship. In the introduction, Steffens establishes that the power of words is often used to influence and shape the lives of people and events. He cites many of history's most important people who have made a lasting and inspiring mark on our society. He then goes on to show how words can be used to destroy lives and used in propaganda, promoting hatred and fear. This is the beginning to understanding some of the main issues behind censorship. Should people be able to say what they want, or should the government be able to take that freedom away for it's safety?

The first chapter outlines the history of censorship throughout the world, and tells why it has become such an issue in today's society. He starts as early as Biblical times and moves through Ancient Greece, the Inquisition, the start of the press and censorship in Britain. This leads to the British rule in America and eventually to the Revolution, which happened partly because of British censorship. The next five chapters basically outline different issues today involving censorship, whether it is constitutional, when it is constitutional, and what constitutes as legal censorship. Steffens talks about time, place and manner, incitement, fighting words, obscenity, and other issues. Many court cases are cited in each chapter in order to show the real controversy. At the end of the book, numerous censorship related organizations are listed with contact information, and a comprehensive Works Cited section, with suggestions for further reading.

Steffens does a wonderful job of showing all the sides of the issue. As early as the introduction, he show how words can be used by different people for different purposes. For example, the way and purpose Shakespeare and Jefferson used words differed greatly from the way, and for what reason, Hitler used them. This is the inherent problem with freedom of speech. Should people like Hitler be censored in today's society, or be guaranteed the freedom of speech under the First Amendment. He also goes quite deep into the complexities of each case and instance he mentions, examining every part and every angle to the law and ruling in question.

Steffens also gives much needed factual information to support what he is trying to say. In each chapter, and every section of each chapter he addresses and issue and supports it with at least one good example. For example, in the fourth chapter titled "Incitement," he discusses the issue of inciting a crowed to break the law in some way. In...

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