You don’t have to be a fan of Woody Allen to fear the censorship mob and this growing threat to free speech.
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Since I can already predict that someone will nitpick, let me first clarify that free speech and the
First Amendment are not the same thing. Related, but not interchangeable. The First Amendment forbids the federal government from censoring unpopular opinions. Free speech is our birthright as citizens of a free country. That’s what the recent decision to ax Woody Allen’s upcoming memoir threatens.
After a walkout by Hachette Book Group employees last week, the company announced it will rescind its decision to publish Allen’s book. This comes after years of attempts to “cancel” Allen’s career, friendships, and even his comedy legacy because of allegations that Allen sexually abused his adopted daughter as a child.
Woody Allen has never had a conviction for these charges, or even put on trial. To the contrary, he has consistently denied the allegations, which came on the tail of an acrimonious breakup with his then-partner Mia Farrow.
She had caught him in an affair with her adopted daughter from a previous relationship, Soon-Yi Previn (who has now been married to Allen for over twenty years). On the basis of this private dispute, it is now mandatory in high society to deny Allen his constitutionally-guaranteed presumption of innocence, and to boycott any business or social event in which he participates.
Actor Alec Baldwin was once asked to disavow his work as a frequent star of Allen’s films, and replied, “You are mistaken if you think there is a place for me, or any outsider, in this family’s issue.” What a world we live in, when a trainwreck of a man like Baldwin is the voice of reason in a debate.
To further compound the family nature of this fight, another of Mia Farrow’s children, Ronan Farrow, also had connections with the publisher Hachette. Ronan led the movement for the memoir’s cancellation. He called the publisher’s decision to sell Allen’s book “a lack of ethics and compassion for victims of sexual abuse,” as if that makes any sense. He threatened to sever his ties if Hatchette didn’t cancel the deal.
I suppose I should not be surprised that the protestors prevailed. What’s surprising is how quickly the publishers folded. Within a day, Hachette Book Group offered the following hypocritical statement:
“The decision to cancel Mr. Allen’s book was a difficult one. At HBG we take our relationships with authors very seriously, and do not cancel books lightly,” while canceling his book after caving instantly to the forces of political correctness.
“We have published and will continue to publish many challenging books,” as they failed this particular challenge.
“As publishers, we make sure every day in our work that different voices and conflicting points of views can be heard,” as they presented exactly no defense of either Allen’s views or the principle of free speech in general. The statement concluded:
“Over the past few days, HBG leadership had extensive conversations with our staff and others. After listening, we came to the conclusion that moving forward with publication would not be feasible.”
This is a sad occasion for the publishing industry, all those who benefit from it, and anyone who respects the principle of freedom of expression. The Mob has spoken. Ignorance is strength. You will be made to care.
I’m old enough to remember an America in which, whenever a Puritan complained about the racy dialogue in this radio program or the suggestive situations on that TV show, the correct answer was “Don’t watch.” “Don’t listen.” “Don’t read the book.”
I refuse to accept a culture in which an elite tells us “You’re not allowed to watch any show, or listen to any songs, or read any books, unless we approve.” This has nothing to do with the First Amendment, but it’s a direct assault on the principle of free speech. This is censorship.
Legendary writer Stephen King summed it up perfectly: “I don’t give a damn about Mr. Allen. It’s who gets muzzled next that worries me.”
Freedom of speech isn’t only for the speech you like. Unless it applies to everybody, nobody is safe.
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