McCarthyism

The thing that struck me most about this reading was a part in the beginning of the Criticism and Analogues section. He writes, "Is the Knuckleheadedness of McCarthyism behind it all?" when referring to playwrights no longer putting forth their private ideas and inner motivations behind their work.

More than anything else, that quote epitomizes the vast consequences of censorship to me. Of course, censoring particular ideals is against our basic rights as Americans but it is now clear to me that the lingering effects of censorship are far worse. Even after McCarthyism passed, or some banned books are now accessible, there is a mindset adopted by creative figures about what's acceptable and what's not. The arts shouldn't be restricted and social commentary is key to progress in our society. Even if we are no longer actively banning various works, past censorship might subconsciously be restricting what ideas playwrights (or authors) are putting into their texts.

This idea ties nicely into banned book week as well. The more awareness there is about censorship the less restricted our access will become and perhaps controversial ideas won't be held back in the least.