Harvard Should Not Suppress Porn

The Civil Liberties Union of Harvard (CLUH) would like to comment on censorship of pornography in the context of Brad Edward White's recent column ("Porn for All," editorial, Oct. 5, 1994). CLUH strongly disagrees with those in the Harvard community who feel that Harvard should attempt to supress pornography.

We believe the University should have no role in prohibiting or punishing the acquisition, possession or transmission of visually communicative materials, except where that transmission constitutes harassment.

First, we believe that the censorship of any ideas or images, even those labeled "obscene" or "pornographic," deprices people of the ability to experience them and to develop fully informed opinions. Censorship is a form of thought control, where those in power, for reasons sometimes noble and sometimes base, try to direct the mental experiences of others.

Second, we worry that because the terms "obscenity" and "pornography" are vague, the censor has a broad freedom to stifle ideas that are merely unpopular.

Third, we hold that in a university setting, the need for an uninterrupted flow of ideas is perhaps even greater than in the world at large. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences Free Speech Guidelines recognize this fact: "Free speech is uniquely important to the University because we are a community committed to reason and rational discourse... Curtailment of free speech undercuts the intellectual freedom that defines our purpose... We are committed to maintaining a climate in which reason and speech provide the correct response to a disagreeable idea."

Finally we recognize that many people find obscenity and pornography to be distasteful, demeaning or devoid of intellectual content. They must consider, however, what good is served by encouraging the University to stifle access. If pornography is worthless as speech, students will find it so. If its ideas are merely unpopular, then perhaps they need even greater protection than other forms of speech. Censors silence not mainstream ideas but those of powerless minorities.

CLUH hopes that censorship, even of pornography, will be seen by the Harvard community for the evil that it is. Robert W. Yalen '95   Former Director,   for the Executive Board of CLUH