Outspoken: Free Speech Stories (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Americans used to like the First Amendment..." (more)
Key Phrases: moralist right, antiporn feminists, female firefighters, First Amendment, United States, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

America's national obsession with asserting, and quelling, free-speech comes alive in this collection of profiles of First Amendment firebrands. A journalist and university lecturer, Levinson has chosen an eclectic array of subjects, including a doctor fired from his university position for publishing research on lung disease at a local textile factory; a state department functionary harassed for revealing the CIA's knowledge of human rights abuses in Guatemala; a high school English teacher suspended for assigning books with gay characters; and a porn-star and performance artist whose gynecological stage shows made freedom of speech a fetish. Levinson paints complex portraits of the flawed, courageous and sometimes cantankerous souls willing to take on opprobrium for unpopular ideas. Using their stories as a starting point, Levinson discusses the many fronts in the cultural war over speech, including state secrecy laws and university speech codes. She confronts the blurry line between pornography and art, and between free speech and a "hostile environment," explores the "broken windows" argument that anarchic speech leads to an anarchic society, and considers the corrupting influence of corporate sponsorship on scientific research. The author goes beyond the usual polarized corners of political correctness. Instead, she traces the convoluted, often cynical politics of censorship, in which anti-porn feminists and Christian fundamentalists find themselves odd bedfellows, and transgressive artists, indignant moralists and grandstanding politicians collude in courting controversy so they can "bask equally in the limelight." Levinson is a First Amendment absolutist, decrying censorship campaigns as a kind of "fascist chic" which makes it "not just okay to shut people up, but kind of cool." However, her nuanced treatment of all sides of the debate makes this a revealing exploration of the social meaning of words.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"America's national obsession with asserting, and quelling, free-speech comes alive in this collection of profiles of First Amendment firebrands.Ê.Ê.Ê. The author goes beyond the usual polarized corners of political correctness.Ê.Ê.Ê.Êher nuanced treatment of all sides of the debate makes this a revealing exploration of the social meaning of words."--Publishers Weekly -- Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 372 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (October 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520223705
• ISBN-13: 978-0520223707
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,758,566 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired to Speak Out, November 24, 2003

By A Customer

How fortunate for us that during the reign of Bush/Cheney/Ashcroft and Ridge this humane, intelligent and compassionate book should be available! Ms. Levinson writes with clear and heartfelt dedication to the subject and to the individuals who have been subjected to infringements on their First Amendment rights. The stories are lively and accessible; the insights wise and deeply considered. I would recommend this book anytime, but especially now when our secretive and self-assured government repeatedly threatens our delicate liberties--often abusing the tragedy of September 11th to do so. There is nothing stiff and dusty here. The topic is current and the reader is reminded that our quiescence allows self-interested corporations, government agencies and moral prigs to dictate limits on our precious freedom. "Outspoken", though not preachy in tone, is an inspiration to wake up and defend that which is ours to lose. I highly recommend it.